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Your phone rings.

It鈥檚 the hiring manager at the company you interviewed with last week for that great new job!

You let the phone ring twice (best to seem not too desperate), sit up a little straighter, and prep your very best 鈥渂usiness voice.鈥�

You got the job!

Finally!

Money, happiness, and world domination are all within your reach!

Suddenly, the soundtrack of your life shifts into a minor key, the bright shiny cartoon sun that had just moments ago been beaming above you begins to dim, and that new job grin starts to narrow.

Sure, you got the job, but now you actually have to do it.

New job anxiety is common. It can take the form of anything from mild jitters to full-blown panic. What if you end up hating your position or your boss? What if you fooled everyone into thinking you were right for the job? What if you fail so badly that you end up destitute and broken, swiping your imaginary office ID at tree stumps in a jobless, shame-fueled fugue state?!

First of all, take a deep breath and relax. There is a high probability that none of the above will actually happen. Remember that you were chosen specifically from a pool of applicants as the best candidate based on your stellar skills, flawless resume, and sparkling personality. Your new company already believes in you! Now, you just have to do the same.

Taming those nerves is easier said than done. Significant change, in any aspect of our lives, is frequently accompanied by a healthy dose of discomfort. That鈥檚 especially true today when the job market, deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen more people than usual searching for their next job or their new career. Whether you鈥檙e making a lateral move, stepping up into a promotion, or completely switching careers, here are a few tips to help turn anxiety into optimism and help you regain that new job glow.

Talk it out. If you鈥檙e feeling stressed, don鈥檛 keep it to yourself. Tammy Spenziero, director of career services at Excelsior College, coaches that the first step to relief could be simply to tell people how you are feeling. 鈥淐areer changes can certainly create both excitement and sadness. We are not robots. We are human and therefore feel and have emotions鈥夆�斺�塼his is normal! So, feel, express, share, and don鈥檛 be afraid to be human!鈥� she says.

Think a little differently. Hays, a global recruiting company based in London, England, recommends adopting a 鈥済rowth mindset鈥� about your new job. This means, instead of focusing on the negative, scary, and uncertain aspects of your career transition, work on thinking about how much these new challenges will help you grow and improve your skills and your resume. Remind yourself that this new job is a journey鈥夆�斺�塼hat you won鈥檛 know everything your first day or even your first month. Talk yourself up instead of talking yourself down, and you鈥檒l be surprised how quickly your attitude changes.

Remember this feeling won鈥檛 last forever. It鈥檚 important to understand that this anxiety is only temporary. It鈥檚 hard being the 鈥渘ew kid,鈥� but remind yourself that everyone has been that kid before you. In a few weeks, more likely than not, you will have found your routine, maybe found an office buddy or two, and found that you鈥檝e completely forgotten how nervous you were. Starting a new job is a momentous occasion, but it鈥檚 not the only thing that matters. Remember that it鈥檚 only change, and, as with other changes in your life, you have the strength within you to adapt and thrive.

First prepare, and then self-care. When you鈥檙e feeling nervous, a little preparation can be a big help in providing stability. The employment search engine Indeed recommends preparing a list of thoughtful questions to ask on your first day. If you commute to work, plan out your driving route, and preselect a first-day outfit that makes you feel your best. If you work from home, take time to set up a workspace where you can feel your calmest, most confident self. It鈥檚 also beneficial to take time and unwind after your first day. Whether you order your favorite food, head outside for a hike, or indulge in quiet time with a good book, a bit of self-care will help you decompress, celebrate your first day, and be ready to take on the days to come.

Stay connected. Spenziero suggests that connecting with others who share your career is a good way to start feeling a sense of investment and community in your new position: 鈥淛oin LinkedIn; find groups, associations, and memberships in your career area; and connect with professionals in the field. Seek mentors鈥夆�斺�墆es, more than one! Talk to others, be realistic, and seek advice and help when needed.鈥�

Now, remember how excited you were when you accepted your new job? That鈥檚 the feeling you should be carrying with you as you take this next big step. And, if you鈥檙e still working toward your next big career break, Spenziero coaches that persistence and a positive attitude go a long way. She adds that job seekers should adopt a practical approach and align their job searches with organizations that are still hiring. According to Spenziero, 鈥淵ou will need to compromise and make changes, but this resiliency will set you up for long-term success.鈥�

Most important, Spenziero reminds us: 鈥淔ear of the unknown is normal. We all have special gifts to share, and none of us is perfect. Be proud of all you have contributed, and know that life happens. Keep聽going!鈥�