Starting a new job can feel like the first day of school all over again 😬
You don’t know where anything is… you’re trying to remember everyone’s names… and somehow you suddenly forget how to act like a normal human being 😂
But even professionals who literally give advice for a living deal with those same nerves.
A new host at NPR recently shared what helped her survive the awkwardness of starting a brand-new job—and honestly, the advice is pretty solid 👀
👋 Introduce yourself FIRST
One of her biggest tips:
👉 Don’t wait around awkwardly for people to approach you.
She said introducing herself to coworkers right away made the office feel way less intimidating.
Even a quick:
“Hey, I’m new here!”
Can break the tension fast 😅
🧠 Focus on your skills, not your outfit
A lot of people panic about how they look on day one.
But she said an old friend reminded her:
“You were hired for a reason.”
Meaning:
- Your abilities matter more than your outfit 👕
- You already proved yourself in the interview 💼
- You don’t need to be perfect immediately ✨
Which honestly feels like something a LOT of people need to hear.
❤️ Give yourself some grace
This was her biggest takeaway:
👉 Nobody is amazing at a new job instantly.
You’re learning:
- New systems 💻
- New coworkers 👥
- New expectations 📋
So feeling awkward at first is completely normal.
😅 Honestly… everyone’s faking confidence a little
The funny thing about workplaces is that almost everybody remembers how stressful their first week was.
Even the super confident coworker probably spent their first day pretending they understood the printer 😂
🧠 Final thought
Starting a new job is uncomfortable for basically everyone.
But usually, people care way less about your awkward first week than YOU do.
So introduce yourself, ask questions, and don’t panic if you don’t feel fully settled right away 💼✨