Work it out
Thursday 17 May 2007
Learning how to deal with the problems that might arise in your workplace will make you a happier employee as well as a stronger individual.
Here is our advice for how to cope if you’re having problems in your first job.
Stress out
Some jobs are more stressful than others. Jobs where you are constantly dealing with customers and the general public are particularly stressful, especially dealing with complaints or difficult enquiries.
Stress can also build up if your workplace is make unrealistic demands of you. Your boss may be giving you too much work or perhaps tasks are not being explained properly or you feel you have no one to support you.
In any case where you feel stress building at work, communication is always the key. Speak to your boss or mentor about how you feel and see if you can work out a way to make your work more enjoyable.
Workaholic woes
Working long hours, overtime or extra shifts is a condition of some jobs. Working conditions should be fair though, so if you are uncomfortable because you are working late all the time or taking on a lot of extra shifts, then you should talk to your boss about it.
Explain that you are worried about the amount of work you are doing outside normal hours, and ask them about the possibility of working out a more realistic schedule.
Money matters
We all like to feel that we are worth a million dollars, but sometimes our employers don’t think so! In your first job, you will probably be getting a fixed rate or salary that may or may not be negotiable.
If you have doing your job for a while and you feel like you should be getting paid more, then you should discuss it with your boss. Tell them the reasons why you think you deserve a pay rise and the skills you are bringing to the company. Make sure you ask politely though and don’t get frustrated if they don’t say yes straight away!
Think before you quit
If your job isn’t everything you thought it would be, it is worth exploring the opportunities around you before you throw in the towel. Maybe there is another position in the company that you are better-suited to, or you could get ask to get trained for a different role.
Whatever your problems are, it will impress your employer and co-workers if you try to talk them through before you walk.
Just starting
Finally, remember that this is your first job and you have now embarked on a huge learning curve. It will take time for you to understand how a workplace functions and the ins and outs of working life.
Don’t give yourself a hard time if you’re finding it tricky at first, things will improve and you will find yourself gaining satisfaction with every small or big achievement.
Remember you are not alone! Here's how some n2K readers coped with their very first day at their new job.
If you have landed your first job n2k would like to hear from you. Are you having a good or bad experience? Tell us your story.
