The honeymoon is over: Here are 10 ways to cure the new job blues

In this photo taken on March 21, 2013, Sutham Thamrongvit works on a computer as his bicycle is parked across from his desk in the office in Bangkok, Thailand. Bicycling has long been almost nonexistent in this city of 10 million, where those who dare to pedal must cope with unfriendly road designs, crumbling pavement, sweltering heat and growing hordes of cars, buses and motorcycles. Yet bicycling is making early signs of a comeback. There has been some government encouragement, including a new project that allows people to borrow city-owned bikes from 50 stations scattered across the central business district. But Bangkok's traffic failures may be the greatest incentive: When cars are at a rush-hour standstill, bicycles are sometimes the only vehicles capable of moving. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

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Getting a new job can feel wonderful – it’s a new relationship where you like them, they like you, and everything is rainbows and puppies. Then you get a month or two in, and you start to wonder what exactly you joyfully jumped into.

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Here are some tips on dealing with the new job blues.

1. Set small goals

You’ve already proven yourself by landing the job. Try not to put huge amounts of pressure on yourself immediately. That can feel crushing, and spoil that new job buzz quickly.

Set small goals – figure out the basics of your job and build a good foundation on which you can start to take on bigger projects.

2. Find a mentor

There’s a lot to learn at a new job — not just the work, but the policies, procedures, building layout, the commute and the co-workers.

Try to find a friendly face to show you the ropes – a companion and guide. Ideally, this person is on the same level as you and has been in the company for at least a year, so they know the people and the personalities.

3. Dress the part

Company dress codes can feel daunting and controlling at times. But adhering to them reflects how the employee respects their job. Being well-dressed will give you a sense of purpose and confidence.

4. Personalize your space

A new, unfamiliar environment can seem cold and uninviting. Keep a few personal items such as souvenir from a trip, a memento, a photo or your favorite stationery on your work desk, while adhering to the general decorum. Soon, your new office will start feeling like home.

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5. Assess the situation

List the factors about the new job that are bothering you. It could be the tone of your boss or a colleague, too much work pressure or office politics.

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If the job is something that fits your career objectives, then take the steps to communicate these issues with your supervisor or the human resources department. However, if there has been a misunderstanding about the job role and it is conflicting with your career objectives, it is best to give up the new role as soon as possible.

6. Keep a journal

It’s easy to focus on the negatives you encounter in a new situation. Try keeping an honest journal of each day, noting the positives and the negatives you encounter. Try to suss out the patterns behind each type of encounter and figure out how you can change the results of the negative encounters.

7. Don’t assume

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that it’s you. Or it’s the job. Or it’s both.

Don’t jump to conclusions based on one or two encounters. Give yourself time to make an honest assessment of the situation before making any decisions.

8. Transition blues are normal

These are legitimate concerns you’ve got about this new job. It’s perfectly normal to have these concerns, and you are going to feel shockwaves for some time.

It’s no small feat to become accustomed to a new routine, workplace, or job.

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9. Arrange a familiarization visit

One way of heading off some of the transition blues is making an appointment to come into the office before your first day. There’s usually a few days between being hired and starting, so see if you can come in and spend an hour getting a tour of the building and meeting people. Anything you can do to make you more comfortable to start will help.

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10. Use your free time wisely

Once the work day is over, pursue your own interests. Take advantage of your free time to let go of on-the-job stress, fend off brain atrophy, and cultivate your interests. Take an improv class, start a book club, blog, anything to remind yourself of the fact that you are a person, not just an asset.

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