I start an office job on Monday...

CatloafCatloaf
in General

At the head office of a large company. I'm freaking out, this is probably the biggest opportunity I've been given. I voluntarily choose to look like a hippie straight off the commune. I don't wear makeup (I do my best with skincare instead). My skin is graced with acne and I have really crooked teeth (thank goodness masks are mandated again where I live). I'm not exactly a business casual type of person, but can at least fake it with the wardrobe I have. The only physical office type environment I worked at were my grandmother's non-profit, and also as a dispatcher for a trucking company and even in both cases you could walk in dressing or looking like crap, nobody really cared at the end of the day.

My boss is around my age, and we got off great during the interview so I'm not really worried there, but it's the nervousness I'm feeling because I feel like I'm not polished or the "type" for the job even if my skillset is there.

Any advice for a lady's first "real" office job? I'm coming out of a food service/creative background so honestly this is all so new to me.

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Comments

  • cuddles_ndreamcuddles_ndream

    Congrats ! 😊

    Smile / be eager to learn / & don’t be afraid to ask questions … also, remember that everyone there started brand new as well : )

  • Ironman294Ironman294

    Don’t be nervous it’s obvious you’re the right fit for the job. Just remember to listen at first and get the lay of the land and who everyone is. Don’t over share, just watch and observe.
    Just be friendly and cordial. If the office has an activity after hours like bowling or softball or coffee participate :-)
    Oh and double and triple check your work. Don’t rush, better to be accurate than fast and have any errors.
    You’ll be great, best of luck!

  • cuddles_ndreamcuddles_ndream

    @Ironman294 everything you said 💯

  • JasonCuddlesJasonCuddles

    That's neat. I think it depends on the place but I could easily see me not being suited for office work. I have no advice.

  • Connecticut1977Connecticut1977

    Congratulations and I know that you are going to be very very successful!!!!!

  • cookiecrumbcookiecrumb

    "You're never fully dressed without a smile."
    Attitude is everything.
    No nerd to be neevous.

  • [Deleted User]CharlesThePoet (deleted user)

    As @cookiecrumb has said, pobody's nerfect, so simply be yourself and do your best.

    This all turns out reasonably well.

  • LovelightLovelight

    You were chosen for a reason and more than likely you are right for the job.

    You can forget about the makeup as you chose to and embrace who you are, your natural state. Virtually nobody cares about crocked teeth and if anyone in a position whose care matters cares, then they aren't worth your time. They can have fun chasing perfection and they aren't worth your time.

    Most of all, inhale. . . 1, 2, 3 4, 5 hold 1, 2, 3 and exhale... you can repeat two more times.

    And let go of what you think the outcome will be. More than likely it isn't as bad as your anxiety will have you believe and in the off chance it is meh or bad, you're strong enough to handle and work through it.

    Employers and employees are nothing without their employees and coworkers. So know that you are valuable and that neither of them are all that better than you. :)

  • CatloafCatloaf

    Thank you guys for the kind words and encouragement! I'm leaving my Wi-Fi spot for the day so won't be coming back to this thread tonight, but it means a lot to me to read everything from everyone sharing their perspectives. I probably am worrying about this way, way more than I should. Not only have I got anxiety but I'm a perfectionist, especially when it comes to the way things look aesthetically. So if it's "not good enough for me", then whatever it is tends to become "not good enough for everyone else".

    I should remember times are changing, lol.

  • cookiecrumbcookiecrumb

    Think of your perfectionism as an asset to yourself and your employer, instead of a defect of your character. You hit it off well with your boss. That means you made a good impression. Be confident in that. If you have a good work ethic, you'll be fine. If you need guidance, your boss will point you in the direction he wants you to go. That's not a bad thing. That's a great thing, because he trusts you to follow his directions, with the skill set that you have. The job market is good for job security right now, aka people are hiring. Relax. You got this.

  • SoftHairForDaysSoftHairForDays

    Congrats! Try not to stress out. You're gonna be fine! 😊 Take your time learning what you need to learn. Ask questions. Good luck! 🤗

  • [Deleted User]ImajenMoon (deleted user)

    Congratulations, @Catloaf ! You'll grow into it, just watch and see! And remember, Radar wasn't "Radar" at first! (<<Yes, I'm old enough to use M.A.S.H. references! lol)
    Are you "inside excited" about how you can most be of service? Then you're gonna do great!
    Imajen
    P.s., Thanks for sharing your good news! :)

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod
    edited September 2021

    I have done this many times, and watched others doing it. How much of this translates across the pond I'm not sure, but I suspect most of it.

    1 Walk into the place with humility, but like you own it. Ramrod straight, full of confidence. There are 7 billion people on the plant. They picked you.

    2 There are people, predominently women, who will hate you because of the no makeup. Don't worry about it. They would find another excuse to hate you if it wasn't that. Others will hate you just because you are new, and others still because they hate everybody especially themselves. And then, unexpectedly, somebody will be kind. Your boss wants you, and that's the only opinion that matters. Your boss needs you. Your boss is more nervous about this than you are.

    3 You are right to be nervous. The first day will set the tone for your entire time in this place. However, getting it right isn't difficult. Be keen, be confident, be happy, be open about being new, and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Let out some of the pressure, and create confidences, by saying privately to nice people - if you get the chance - 'To be honest I'm really nervous. Does it show?'

    4 Learn the geography as a matter of urgency. Where is the ladies, the coffee machine, the photocopier.

    5 Don't try to take in all the names unless you are naturally brilliant at that. Where a person fits in and what they do is more important at this stage then their label.

    6 Be especially nice to the receptionist, security, and any cleaners, messengers or porters you encounter.

    7 None of the above really matters because nobody cares about you. One day, some of them will. But not yet.

    Particularly good advice from @Ironman294.

  • Nature_Lover_Nature_Lover_

    @Catloaf congrats on your new office job! You obviously rocked your interview and your diverse job history allows you to bring an assortment of skills and talents to the table. As someone else stated, everyone there started somewhere new at some point. You got this!!

  • yabyum_massageyabyum_massage

    I was in your shoes about a year and a half a go. I was working in maintenance for about 10 years on and off while testing g other careers. I got a huge break working as an analyst and I was freaking out. But my coworkers were nice and my manager was really nice and my hard work was paying off since I had stellar performance reviews. That gave me the confidence to land another role that actually paid more. After a month there I hated it and went back on the market about a month later I landed on my current job. Its been going really good so far its been 5 months and I really believe I can work for pretty much any company and would perform.

    So take it from me, its NORMAL to be nervous. Once you start doing the job getting feedback and performing that will give you the confidence you need. You got this !

  • UCpaaHVg6u0UCpaaHVg6u0

    Social regulation through inflicting insecurity via body image is a vestige of a more savage time in human history. Accept yourself as you would want others to be accepted.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    @UCpaaHVg6u0 you said that a lot better than I did.

  • Mela_BMela_B

    I think you're going to be great. Hippies from comnunes or not. 😊

  • MissAdventurousMissAdventurous

    Big one, avoid office drama.
    Do not talk about Coworkers to others.
    When I was in HR, huge issue.

    I used to carry a blank manila folder when I was a chiropractic assistant so when my gossipy coworkers would ask for my opinion, I'd simply say, sorry guys, I have to take care of this patient file... And walk away.

    They all left eventually except for me due to workplace mannerisms.

    Second one, not every conversation is going to be a confrontation, if you mess up, just say it upfront. Your boss will appreciate not having to do the extra work to figure it out.

    ❤️❤️ Best of luck 🤞

  • unclebuckunclebuck

    Remember. They picked you!! They wanted you to interview well, and you did! They are looking forward to your arrival! Just be yourself. That it what won you the job!! Congrats and good luck! Enjoy!!

  • quixotic_lifequixotic_life

    How fun!! I'm starting a whole new gig on the 20th! Well mostly new... I'll be in a new to me building, with some new to me people to meet (and be all "team oriented" with), and a whole new job that's going to be like a sandwich around the one I'm leaving ~ I'll still be going in for two hours a day to fill in and give breaks (until they fill all their open positions or I find something else to have a full work week).

    But I'm so flippen nervous!! I really want things to go well, to be accepted by everyone, to be given some grace when I screw things up and that I'll remember to enjoy the bits of it that are rewarding when I find them.

    Congrats @Catloaf ~ Hope you crush it!!

  • UKGuyUKGuy
    edited September 2021

    All the experts say to dress like the peope you work with, especially those a level above you. The main thing is grooming and hygeine. You don't want co-workers to complain to your boss that you stink. Apart from that, the ability to do your job well and get along with co-workers are the most important things. Good luck with your new job.

  • BabichevBabichev
    edited September 2021

    Congratulations on your new opportunity!

    The first day on the job is the worst. Fortunately, it only lasts for one day.

    I don’t wear makeup, either. Don’t worry about it.

    Focus on the work. Pay attention. If you are paying attention to the work, listening to the people, there is no room to be nervous. Being self-conscious takes focusing on oneself. Focus on others, on the task at hand, and there is no room for it.

    Trust the judgement of the people who hired you.

    Good luck and let us know how it goes.

  • sunnysideupsunnysideup
    edited September 2021

    That's awesome @Catloaf ! If you did well on the interview, it was because your boss knows that you will do well, so just keep that in mind and have faith in the steps you'll be taking and your decision making. Just wear whatever you're comfortable with unless there is some sort of strict dress code (I'm guess most people will be wearing business casual)!

  • quixotic_lifequixotic_life

    So...? @Catloaf ~ How was week one?? Mine starts this week and I'm still hella nervous. Hope all is going well so far!! 🤗

  • LovelightLovelight

    A little bird in my head tells me you nailed it. :)

  • blisscuddlesblisscuddles

    @quixotic_life and @Catloaf - Good luck with going into the office world. Hope you find wonderful new experiences and new friends for life.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    Top tips for starting a new job.

    1 - Remember to wear clothes. Any outfit is better than no outfit

    2 - Don't bring in your own printer and fridge unless they've told you to

    3 - Memorise the name of the company you're working for. In particular, don't get it confused with their main competitor

    4 - Don't punch anybody unless you are sure they are a terrorist, in which case it's fine

    5 - Urinate only in the toilets. I cannot emphasise this enough

  • quixotic_lifequixotic_life

    @blisscuddles ~ Thank you! Though I'm not going into an office job. I'm just switching to a position I know very little about! 😬

  • NQIGCyanNQIGCyan
    edited September 2021

    Not sure if it’s a big enough office to have them, but always make sure to be nice to your administrative assistants and IT people, They can make your life much easier.

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