Summary

Starting a new job as an introvert can be challenging, but with strategies like asking questions, preparing a self-introduction, and trying to enjoy the experience, one can navigate the first day successfully.

Abstract

The article addresses the specific challenges introverts face when starting a new job, emphasizing the importance of the first day despite its potential awkwardness. It suggests that introverts may feel stressed about meeting new people and uncertain about expectations, which can lead to awkwardness and anxiety. To combat this, the article offers three key pieces of advice: asking lots of questions to engage others and learn about the workplace, preparing a personal monologue to smoothly answer queries about oneself, and striving to enjoy the experience rather than just enduring it. The article reassures readers that first impressions can be nuanced and that there's room to grow into relationships with colleagues over time.

Opinions

The Harvard Business Review is cited to explain that uncertainty about what to expect on the first day is a significant source of awkwardness.
First impressions are important, but they are not the be-all and end-all, and there's an opportunity to change how people perceive you.
Introverts may come across as awkward, uninterested, or even rude due to anxiety or a protective instinct, which is often misunderstood by others.
Asking questions is a low-risk way to engage with new colleagues and can help alleviate the pressure of constant self-introduction.
Preparing a brief personal narrative can help introverts feel more confident when discussing their background with new colleagues.
It's important for introverts to not just survive their first day but to try and enjoy it, as this can lead to a better impression and reduce anxiety for subsequent days.
The article suggests that most people are kind and welcoming to newcomers and that if a new employee encounters unkindness, it may be indicative of a poor workplace fit.

How to Start a New Job as an Introvert

Your first day may be awkward. But it is important

Starting a new job can be awkward for anyone. But particularly for introverts.

Introverts tend to find it more stressful meeting new people. On your first day of a new job, meeting ‘strangers’ tends to be the bulk of what you end up doing.

This can make you feel awkward. And if you are feeling awkward, you will probably come across as a bit awkward to your new peers.

Why is there a tendency to feel awkward on our first day?

According to the Harvard Business Review, the most significant source of awkwardness is that you just aren’t sure what to expect.

When we’re uncertain about what will happen, we default to inaction.

Answering questions about your background, interests, and experience to strangers can be daunting. You want to avoid saying something to embarrass yourself.

But also you don’t want to come off as boring. If you do default to inaction, you are not going to make our new colleagues excited to get to know you.

There is no denying that first impressions are indeed important. But don’t make this stress you out.

Even if you do mess your first meeting up or don't come across the way you hoped, don’t worry too much about it. You can still win people over further down the line.

I have been wrong about people myself. Many times I wasn't sure about a person the first time we met, but soon changed my mind once I sat down and got to know them.

Some people can come across as rude or someone who doesn’t want to get to know their colleagues. Often this is far from the case. They may be anxious or don’t want anything bad to happen, trying to protect themselves from threats.

A lack of confidence in how your day will go can lead to anxiety. But don’t worry there are ways to overcome this.

Here are 3 things you can do to ensure you get through your first day in style

1. Ask lots of questions

Asking questions takes the attention away from you and puts the onus on other people. You can ask people simple questions like what they do for lunch or about the area in general.

People will often give you a rundown. Some may even be willing to give you a quick tour. This will allow you to ask questions and get to know someone better.

Even if they are not very helpful, you are asking something pretty basic and not putting yourself out too much. If they are rude to you for asking a question, then there is no need to feel bad about it. This is on them, not you.

2. Prepare what you are going to say when asked about yourself

As people will likely ask you about yourself and your background, have a little monologue prepared. This could be about your past work experience, a bit about what you studied, and your family. You could also have a few things about your hobbies and interests, so people can see you do have a life outside of work.

3. Don’t just try and get through it. Try and enjoy it (if you can)

As an introvert, there is often the feeling that you just need to get through your first day. But what about your second day? If you don't talk to anyone you are likely to still feel anxious going into work on Day 2.

You will also tend to make a better impression if you don’t feel too nervous and can be your authentic self.

On your first-day people tend to be nice to you as they know how uncomfortable it can be and will usually not want you to leave with a bad impression of the team on Day 1.

Knowing this will hopefully allow you to relax a bit more. In general, people don’t want to make the lives of a new starter a misery.

And if they do, then no bother. You are in the wrong place. Go find a better place to work.