job change and culture shock

[autumn500]

Hiya,just in need of some reassurance/wanting to hear others stories about changing jobs and experiencing culture shock (or just shock in general lol) but it being OK in the end?

Started a new job yesterday. I work in the civil service and had been in the same building for seven years (first permanent job role I have had so it's all I knew). Did a few roles but most recent was three years,and I was one of the more confident/ experienced members of my team. Obviously being in the building for years meant that I got to know people and knew how the building 'worked' so to speak.

This new job is a promotion so I really wanted to take it because it meant more money and also meant I got to leave the building I was in,which is notoriously difficult to leave and was starting to become a worse place to work.

New role-everyone seems really nice but mainly men in their fifties (at least) and I am 30 year old female. My last role had a real mix of people-I'm afraid I will never feel part of things here-I am shy and socially anxious at the best of times. It is also much quieter here than I am used to.

The work itself-well I'm still not sure what I will be doing but was given info to read yesterday and whilst promotion obviously means a step up-this seemed like a giant leap and i am terrified because it seems so so complex. Obviously I have only been there a day but I forgot how horrible it is going from a job where you knew most things to a job where you know nothing-my last job was stats driven and this new one is quality driven so you are given time to work on things and discuss them-there seems to be a lot of discussing things and I fear I am not as intelligent as the rest of them :-(

Sorry for the long and pitying post-I'm aware I need to give this several months before I can really judge the position but because I am so anxious about it all I was just looking for a bit of reassurance or some stories from others that will make me feel better?

My partner is amazingly supportive but as he has worked the same job for over a decade it is hard for him to relate to the newness,plus he is so laid back and outgoing that he doesn't have the same social struggles or worries as me

Thanks for reading,im posting this before my second day,I'm so anxious :-(

[HumphreyCobblers]

It is so hard to change jobs! I would reassure yourself that most people feel exactly as you do, but that it sorts itself out in a few days, you WILL start to feel more at home and you WILL begin to feel competent in your new role.

Remember that you got the job so those in charge have confidence in you.

I remember a cold feeling of dread in my first day in my last job, I just thought I had made a terrible mistake in thinking I could do this - but it turned out I could, and I enjoyed it too.

[autumn500]

Thanks Humphrey :-) I know I need to give it time I just don't want to be waking up anxious every morning-I'm hoping I can look back at this thread in a few months and wonder what I was worrying about!

In my last building i was off work with stress then returned to my most recent role and so because i hated the last role I was relieved to be going back to something different,but because I didn't hate my last job,I'm starting to view it through rose tinted glasses and am scared I have made a mistake-my last job wasn't great but I knew it at least

[OneEpisode]

It'll get better! Own your newness and ask which tasks will help you learn. Taking minutes for instance; gives you an excuse to contact people afterwards and ask them to expand..

[flowery]

If the new job is still within the civil service it's unlikely to be a major culture shock issue, and from what you've actually said, it sounds like you have two issues, the first relating to confidence in your own ability to the job, and the second relating to just not knowing the ropes.

Good news is neither of those is much of an issue. The first one, well the job may be different and challenging, but they would not have appointed you if they didn't think you could do it. You can do it, you clearly have the skills, attributes, experience and knowledge required. Meet regularly with your manager, make sure you are clear on expectations in terms of what needs to be achieved and what restrictions and guidelines there are on how this must be done. Know what is expected of you and you're 3/4 of the way there.

Second issue will vanish over time. You can make it disappear quicker by talking to people, building relationships (especially with those who are useful and helpful. Office managery types, receptionists and admin staff always a very good bet for this - make a big effort to build relationships with these people and it will pay dividends many times over, in my experience). Also just observing and noticing what goes on helps greatly with this.

[IrenetheQuaint]

It's only day 2, you're bound to feel confused! Take it a day at a time and give yourself time to relax outside work. You'll be fine.

[autumn500]

Flowery yes you are right I think most of it stems from a confidence issue and me being quite sensitive to change.everyone is so nice and I think once I know the ropes it will be better.i feel a lot better today I think it will just take time and once I am familiar with the work my confidence will grow.

I know I'm being dramatic complaining on day two I was just feeling so anxious this morning and had to get it out of my system lol

[testingwater]

This is just how I feel, I have just moved Civil Service department and I am three weeks in and could have written this word for word.

[TomTomKitten]

The first week is always the hardest and the first day is even worse than that!

Don't be hard on yourself. You've had the gumption to take a step up. It will take a while for it all to sink in.

One of my best jobs involved working with a load of blokes in their 50s. It took a little while but I became very fond of them and all their little nuances!

Best of luck. You'll be just fine.

[autumn500]

Testing-sorry to hear that-did you take a promotion? Are you struggling with the work load or the people?

I actually had a better day today,still not doing anything really but my boss and her boss both reassured me that it all looks worse than it is and that I would get plenty of help and that 'we would get there as a team' which was nice. I was also able to answer a question that someone the grade above me wanted to know that no one else knew the answer too except me because I had knowledge from my last job which boosted my confidence a bit.

I expect I will feel up and down about it for a while but feel much better today than yesterday,but I won't get too excited in case I feel crap tomorrow lol

[testingwater]

Hi Autumn,

It was a transfer across due to worries about redundancy.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/employment_issues/2634024-New-Job-Jitters

I'm glad things are getting better for you, i'm taking each day as it comes as I'm told it can take up to 6 months to settle. I just feel totally unnerved as I was in my last role for 9 years and loved it.