Starting a new job is always exciting and nerve-racking. It’s a whole new environment that you don’t know well. This uncertainty can have you worried about fitting in and wondering how long it takes to feel comfortable in a new job.

It can take between 3 and 6 months generally to become comfortable at your workplace. It will always be less for some and more for others. Being comfortable at a new job involves being yourself at your workplace, settling in the new environment, getting to know the ethics, technology, and colleagues.

There are ways to ease into your new job and feel more comfortable quicker. You just need to factor in the time to adjust to a new job while taking steps to feel more comfortable.

How long does it take to fully adjust to a new job?

It can take about 3 to 6 months for a new employee to feel comfortable in a new job. But there is no set time frame to adjust to a new job. Individuals and work environments differ. There are some individuals who take less time to feel as though they fit in at a new workplace, feeling comfortable within their first month. Others could still be struggling a year in.

If a workplace is well set up and organised, employees will find it easier to adjust. Some companies organise training or workshops for their staff that could aid the process of getting comfortable. Studies have shown that the first 90 days in a company are an employee’s formative days. This is when they will learn the most and start attempting to find their comfort within the new job. This training is key in feeling comfortable in your new workplace because you need to learn about your role to build your confidence. It can take 2-3 months to become good at your role in any company, but you need to put in the training work and learning to develop a level of comfortableness in the position. Once you feel confident that you are successfully completing your tasks, you will feel comfortable having adjusted to your new job.

How can I become comfortable in a new job?

With a new job comes new dynamics, new workflows, cultures, ethics, and of course new colleagues. These changes and more can make adaptation or comfort in a new job seem difficult.

To ease into a new job comfortably these tips can help:

Anticipate and accept changes

It is beneficial to prepare your mind beforehand for things that might be different at your new job. Such preparation makes you ready to handle whatever is thrown at you. If conditions at your new job aren’t what you are used to, be open-minded enough to accept the change and adapt to your new surroundings. Make sure you get as much information as possible through the recruiting team to prepare yourself. For example, if you’re hired through a labour recruitment agency, they will be able to tell you what to expect going into the job. Employers who look to hire labour workers through these agencies provide as much detail as possible to make sure they get the right person for the job. Use this to gather your intel without having to get the information directly from the employer.

Ask questions about the new workplace

Asking questions in a new workplace can help you find your way around faster and more easily too. Questions serve as ice breakers. It’s quite difficult for the human brain to ignore questions, so leverage on this and fasten the process of easing into your new job. Asking questions will also help you to build relationships with your peers as you go about settling in.

Learn as much as you can about your role

The unknown makes people very uncomfortable, so without knowing what you need to do to succeed in your new job, how can you expect to feel comfortable? As we mentioned, it can take 2-3 months to become good at your job because in this time you will be learning as much as possible about your responsibilities. Continue to ask your question, not only about the workplace, but also your job and the expectations of the company. The more knowledge you can gather about your position, the sooner you will start practising the right work and feel more comfortable in your new job.

Reach out to your co-workers and boss

No human is an island; we are meant to communicate with each other. The same applies to the workplace. Whether it is a start-up or big company, building connections in the workplace is vital for comfort. Make a new friend, reach out to your colleagues, introduce yourself and strive to form good work relationships. This will help you feel comfortable in your new job quickly. Learn about those around you, you may find people with common interests too!

Learn about your new workplace

Do your research – what are the values and expectations of your new workplace? How does the workplace operate? Is there a dress code or uniform in place? This key information can assist you in starting off on the right foot and feeling more confident. You will fit in more effortlessly with those around you which increases comfort levels.

Get to know your new Boss

Spend time getting to know your boss and building a good relationship with them. They are there to look after you and having them on standby will help you feel good at work. It can take a while to build this rapport, but your boss should be welcoming and excited to have you on board.

Expect culture shock in a new workplace

Every organisation has its own work culture. This will take some time to adjust to. But you can do some research and continue to ask questions about the culture within the workplace. Get to know the habits and reward systems. Let those around you be a guide for workplace traditions and customs. You will quickly be established as a valued team member and start to feel more at ease.

Be yourself at work

Nothing beats authenticity. While you are trying to get comfortable and fit in at your new job, be yourself! Don’t try to change yourself just to fit in. You won’t build sincere relationships with workmates this way. Always remember that you were given the job because you were seen as a good fit for the company, so why change yourself? They believe they have found a good employee in you, show them they invested well!

These tips should get you prepared to feel comfortable in your new job and off to a great start.

Why do I feel uncomfortable at a new job?

There are several reasons why you can be feeling uncomfortable at your new job, such as:

Loneliness

In this new setting, you may have great colleagues, but you miss your friends and associates from the old workplace. This feeling of nostalgia could make you uncomfortable at a new job. Hold on to those memories but be sure to be open to change.

Pressure

You can be feeling lots of pressure to immediately succeed in your new job which can cause discomfort. Especially when you don’t have all the information about your role. Sure, there are job descriptions that attempt to tell you, but there is always more to a position than advertised. There will be lots of little details to start taking note of and lots of learning to be done. This pressure of not knowing everything can be very uncomfortable.

Confusion

It is a lot to grasp and understand a new work culture, new technology, routine or even communication style. Juggling all this at once can leave you confused, making it difficult for you to feel comfortable. Allow yourself time for reflection, remember to relax.

Anxiety

There is always nervousness that comes with unknown expectations. This new of first job anxiety can make feeling comfortable at a new job, tasking. Where possible, seek clear direction to alleviate this feeling. Feedback can be a positive tool in lessening anxiety also and is key for a good challenging work environment.

Exhaustion

Meeting new faces, trying to get familiar with workflows and systems can be quite demanding for a ‘newbie’. It can leave you feeling exhausted and stressed which could hinder you from feeling comfortable at your new job. Be sure to eat well and get plenty of rest!

Getting a new job is exciting, but sometimes feeling comfortable at your job might be challenging. Remember that:

You do not have to force the process of feeling comfortable at your new job.

Expecting and accepting changes at your new workplace sets your mind up for success. Embrace new challenges, stay positive and put your best foot forward. Remember to be kind to yourself!

One way to feel a bit more confident in your workplace is to communicate well. Here are 5 tips to improve your communication skills. Have you ever wondered if you should apply for the same job twice? Rednax Recruitment is proud to connect employers with reliable skilled and general labour workers, but also to provide great career advice in our resources.