I feel nervous and excited, but a lot of nervousness. I have some HUGE adjustments in my life coming up with this new job I just got. I won't start for over two weeks, but I am already anticipating some culture shock, and just shock to my system overall.

I haven't worked within an office for ten years, except for some temp work I did in 2014 for two weeks. I have worked from the comfort of my own home for the majority of ten years. This job is in an office setting. That also means that I have to wear business clothes! EEK. I haven't owned business clothing in ten years either. Although, when I am not meeting with clients, it looks like I can wear jeans to the office -- thank goodness.

On top of that, I haven't worked full-time since last June, except for one month when I had two jobs overlap. So that's nearly one year since I have worked full-time.

In addition, I haven't even really worked my butt off for several years now. In my last full-time job, I slacked off majorly on a lot of days because I had practically nothing to do. I had to make up my own workload.

So, I will be in an office again, I will be working full-time again, AND I will be working my butt off again.

AND.... there are many young kids within this company, so I will be senior and elder to them, which will be very different for me as well.

The good news? I have a boss above me who knows more than I do. I have another colleague above me who also knows more than I do about my field. And I need this!!!!! My last boss knew very little, and that proved to be an enormous obstacle to my success. The other good news? I REALLY like the CEO!!! He's super casual and laid back - I love that.

So, here I sit pondering about my new job and how this will all turn out.

I am super excited about the job itself... it's a senior level role, and I have been trying to land a senior role in my field for over two years. I am excited for some of these changes, but I hope I can adjust well enough and be happy. It may take a few months for me to feel fully comfortable again in an office.

They also have be/er Thursdays and company gatherings, so it's very sociable, which I kind of like but am kind of nervous about, too. I am used to being all by myself for the most part, and I really like that. I enjoy my solitude. I am used to being kind of a recluse at work, so that part could be hard for me. I can be quite shy around large groups of people. I am far better 1:1.

Guess I gotta just wait and see, realizing that it will be a BIG adjustment.

[rechu]

I know the feeling exactly. In late 2016 I took a freelance position. Then, last year they asked me if I wanted to come on as a permanent employee. I had been working mainly freelance from home for YEARS, but I decided to take it because of the stability and benefits. In retrospect, I was lucky I did since they have reduced the number of freelancers for our department, so I may have been out of a job if I hadn't taken it.


In my case, I am lucky that I only had to work in the office for 3 months and then I was given the okay to work from home. But, those three months were definitely an adjustment. The commute really sucked the life out of me. I don't live that far from the office, but there is no really direct route by public transit and if I left at 6:45 I'd get to work half an hour early, but if I left 15 minutes later I'd risk being late. Then fall hit, and it started to get dark and cold. It was no fun to be honest.

I am also older than most of my co-workers, which feels weird at times. I guess it's good most people think I'm a lot younger than I am. I try not to think about it. In the end I'm there to do my job.

I agree it will be an adjustment for you, but sounds like a good opportunity overall. I hope it works out!

Originally Posted by rechu

I know the feeling exactly. In late 2016 I took a freelance position. Then, last year they asked me if I wanted to come on as a permanent employee. I had been working mainly freelance from home for YEARS, but I decided to take it because of the stability and benefits. In retrospect, I was lucky I did since they have reduced the number of freelancers for our department, so I may have been out of a job if I hadn't taken it.


In my case, I am lucky that I only had to work in the office for 3 months and then I was given the okay to work from home. But, those three months were definitely an adjustment. The commute really sucked the life out of me. I don't live that far from the office, but there is no really direct route by public transit and if I left at 6:45 I'd get to work half an hour early, but if I left 15 minutes later I'd risk being late. Then fall hit, and it started to get dark and cold. It was no fun to be honest.

I am also older than most of my co-workers, which feels weird at times. I guess it's good most people think I'm a lot younger than I am. I try not to think about it. In the end I'm there to do my job.

I agree it will be an adjustment for you, but sounds like a good opportunity overall. I hope it works out!

Thank you!! I am glad it (mainly) worked out for you!

Eve, I am SO excited for you and think that you will do just fine. It WILL be ana adjustment, I am sure! But I think you will be ok. I see you as very competent, intelligent, and skilled. I think you are going to be great. In terms of beer Thursday and social stuff, and working with the younger, I think you'll be ok. Sorry if that's pretty repetitive of me to say. But it's true and I really like that you also have the positives in you're mind too. I think it's natural to worry, too, and many people would do that! You'll be ok

Originally Posted by starrysky

Eve, I am SO excited for you and think that you will do just fine. It WILL be ana adjustment, I am sure! But I think you will be ok. I see you as very competent, intelligent, and skilled. I think you are going to be great. In terms of beer Thursday and social stuff, and working with the younger, I think you'll be ok. Sorry if that's pretty repetitive of me to say. But it's true and I really like that you also have the positives in you're mind too. I think it's natural to worry, too, and many people would do that! You'll be ok

Awww, thanks for saying this, Starry! For some reason, I needed to hear the validation!

Originally Posted by golden_eve

Awww, thanks for saying this, Starry! For some reason, I needed to hear the validation!

I'm there for ya!

[Deejay14]

Originally Posted by golden_eve

I feel nervous and excited, but a lot of nervousness. I have some HUGE adjustments in my life coming up with this new job I just got. I won't start for over two weeks, but I am already anticipating some culture shock, and just shock to my system overall.

I haven't worked within an office for ten years, except for some temp work I did in 2014 for two weeks. I have worked from the comfort of my own home for the majority of ten years. This job is in an office setting. That also means that I have to wear business clothes! EEK. I haven't owned business clothing in ten years either. Although, when I am not meeting with clients, it looks like I can wear jeans to the office -- thank goodness.

On top of that, I haven't worked full-time since last June, except for one month when I had two jobs overlap. So that's nearly one year since I have worked full-time.

In addition, I haven't even really worked my butt off for several years now. In my last full-time job, I slacked off majorly on a lot of days because I had practically nothing to do. I had to make up my own workload.

So, I will be in an office again, I will be working full-time again, AND I will be working my butt off again.

AND.... there are many young kids within this company, so I will be senior and elder to them, which will be very different for me as well.

The good news? I have a boss above me who knows more than I do. I have another colleague above me who also knows more than I do about my field. And I need this!!!!! My last boss knew very little, and that proved to be an enormous obstacle to my success. The other good news? I REALLY like the CEO!!! He's super casual and laid back - I love that.

So, here I sit pondering about my new job and how this will all turn out.

I am super excited about the job itself... it's a senior level role, and I have been trying to land a senior role in my field for over two years. I am excited for some of these changes, but I hope I can adjust well enough and be happy. It may take a few months for me to feel fully comfortable again in an office.

They also have be/er Thursdays and company gatherings, so it's very sociable, which I kind of like but am kind of nervous about, too. I am used to being all by myself for the most part, and I really like that. I enjoy my solitude. I am used to being kind of a recluse at work, so that part could be hard for me. I can be quite shy around large groups of people. I am far better 1:1.

Guess I gotta just wait and see, realizing that it will be a BIG adjustment.

Golden,
You have waited so long for this opportunity. You will make the most of it. You can do this!

I think you’ll end up fitting right in. Your enthusiasm will outweigh the worries you have. It’s understandable to be worried. Just take it one day at a time and enjoy the new opportunity. It’s a new adventure. 😃

I think you’re going to adjust just fine! I had a freak-out at how different my current job is from the old one. My old boss told me to give it a year. That was really helpful, actually. To decide to make a decision later is a good approach because your feelings will change in a year.

I eventually got used to the chaos of being busy.

I sort of take on a character when I have to go to a social event. Just ask people questions and get them talking about themselves and act interested. It works surprisingly well, and a lot of people don’t ask questions back, they are just happy to talk. And they love you for it.

It is surprising how many jobs there are where there isn’t much to do. I’ve had three.

Thank you, everyone! The advice and affirmations help!! I know I will be fine, overall. I like the idea of giving it a year -- and also of asking my colleagues about themselves! Good stuff. And yes, I am enthusiastic, which will probably outweigh the concerns/worries.