4 Thoughts Everyone Has the First Week at a New Job - The Muse

4 Thoughts Everyone Has the First Week at a New Job - The Muse4 Thoughts Everyone Has the First Week at a New JobSix months ago, I started my new job at The Muse. After weeks of interviewing with the team, completing an edit test, and reading too much into every single email sign-off, I was pumped to finally be walking through the sekretariat door as an employee. Until it came to the day when I actually had to walk through the door. Then I wasnt as much pumped as I was terrified. And because the brain works in mysterious ways, the terror manifested itself into crazy thoughts- thoughts that stuck with me throughout my first week (and maybe, if Im being honest, a little bit longer). The only way I survived them was to remember that everyone has the same experience. No matter how excited you are for a position, the first few days are rough. So, for anyone out therbeie whos starting a new job and worried about, well, everything- this peek into my brain is for you.1. I Hate Everything I O wnI tried on everything that I own the morning I started. Twice. Nothing felt quite right for the look I wanted to pull off. The look, of course, being casual, but cool, and chic, and nonchalant, but trendy, but not cheap-trendy, but not trust-fund rich. I wanted to smell like success, but also mystery- someone you couldnt help but look up on LinkedIn the second she walked in the door. Ooh, I wanted people to say. Seven people have endorsed her for WordPress- I must know more.Theres nothing quite like the first day to make you feel like youre back in high school- where every outfit could make or break you, where every fight with your mother ended with, If you dont buy me that $65 t-shirt from Abercrombie Fitch, I will literally die. But thats when you have to remember that youre not in high school- and that people are far more interested in who you are and what you can do than they are in what youre wearing. Sure, if you walk in on your first day dressed like youre ansturmning late to a black-tie wedding, people will judge you. But as long as you dress normally (and dont underestimate yourself, you know what normal means), youll be fine. And if you still dont believe me, think back to the last five people who started at your company. What did they wear on their first day? I bet you cant remember. (Still stressed? Check out Muse writer Aja Frosts guide to stalking a companys social media in order to plan the perfect outfit.)2. I Tricked Them Into Hiring MeI spent the entire interview process selling myself as the perfect person for this job. And it worked- insert evil cackle here- I got the job. But as soon as I started, I realized I was the wrong person. Somehow, Id convinced them to hire me, despite being wildly unqualified. I pictured myself breaking the bad news to my manager, Well, if Ive learned anything this week, its that Im the dumbest So, I guess Ill leave now. But, if its OK with you, Ill take the free pen and notebook you gave me on Monday.Before y ou get too deep into imposter syndrome, remember this The person who hired you thought long and hard about doing it. He or she didnt plek your name out of a hat, or make a bet with a fellow employee that youd make it past your first week. Youre there because someone, probably multiple someones, wanted you there. Not anyone- you. In your moments of doubt, take a few minutes to run through all the ways you sold yourself during the interview process and remember you are the best possible fit.3. I Miss My Old JobThe thing about my old job is that everything made sense. I knew the ins and outs of my actual responsibilities, I knew where to put my lunch in the fridge so I could find it later, and I even knew the unspoken rules of bathroom usage. That was suddenly no longer the case. So, before I could stop myself, I began missing that stupid old company Id been so eager to move on from.Starting a new job is like being a deer in headlights. Except, unlike the deer, you cant just stand ther e hoping the car wont run you over. Instead, you have to pretend like you understand everything thats going on. Truth talk Youre going to feel like this for a while, and for a fair amount of time, youll be nostalgic for your old company, your old co-workers, and even that guy in accounting who picked his nose in every meeting.But heres the thing You dont actually miss your old job. (OK, fine, you might miss parts of it.) You miss feeling like you belong. And before long, you will feel that way at your new company. While you cant fast-forward until you get to that part where youre friends with everyone, you can go out of your way to make this place feel like home. Decorate your desk with familiar items, invite your co-workers to grab coffee and tell you more about their positions, and feel free to ask about anything that youre unsure about. Because during your first week, there really are no stupid questions. 4. Ive Ruined EverythingI made a bad editorial call my first week. The site didnt crash, and the company didnt come crumbling down, but it wasnt my finest move. And for a little while there, I thought I had ruined everything and I would be fired. Which would really suck because I had just updated my LinkedIn and started collecting my congrats comments. Spoiler alert I didnt get fired. It was my first week, and I made a mistake. Youre going to make one your first week, too. Probably more than one. The mistake might have to do with your new responsibilities, but it might also have to do with office politics that you have no way of knowing. Weird things like, Dont go into the kitchen when Henrys getting coffee.The good news is that its incredibly unlikely that your manager will entrust you with anything that could take the company down during your first week. Everyone knows youre new to the job, and no one expects you to perform incredible feats before you finish filling out your benefits paperwork. So, in moments of panic, remember that you just started and youre allowed a few mess-ups.Ive had these thoughts at every single job Ive ever started- and I can almost guarantee that almost everyone in your office has. No one talks about it because this stage- this horribly awkward stage- goes by fast, and you forget about it. So, if youre riding this roller coaster right now, relax. Itll be over before you know it. Know exactly what Im talking about? Tell me on Twitter

What to Wear to a Job Interview at Victorias Secret

What to Wear to a Job Interview at Victorias SecretWhat to Wear to a Job Interview at Victorias SecretInterview attire for Victorias Secret should be stylish, but professional. Although Victorias Secret is famous for its lingerie, its important to make sure your interview outfit is appropriate. Think modern geschftlicher umgang casual for an interview at the store. Interview Attire Options Think modern business casual for an interview at the store. Youll want a look thats fashionable, not frumpy. A nice dress, a blouse, and black slacks, or fitted button-down and a pencil skirt all make for good and professional interview outfits for women. For men, black slacks and a button-down shirt work well. The Best Shoes to Wear For shoes, be sure to steer clear of sneakers or flip-flops. Instead, for women, ballet flats or modest high heels, with a height less than 3.5 inches, are a good choice. Men should wear a dress shoe or loafer. Hair, Makeup, and Accessories Its alright to accessorize with jewelry, but keep it low-key. Same goes for hair and makeup. Certainly dont doll up as much as you would for a night out, but considering that youre applying for a retail job that involves sales and interaction with customers, youll want to look approachable and polished in your appearance. Remember, customers will be looking for you to offer fashion advice, and your interviewer will want to binnensee that you have a sense of style that matches their image. Whether to Wear the Store Dress Code A question that often comes up in regards to interviewing at companies with employee uniforms is whether or not candidates should adhere to the workplace dress code.In the case of a company with a distinct outfit, like Target or Best Buy, this isnt the best idea, as you might not be taken seriously or you might appear presumptuous. However, in the case of Victorias Secret, where all the employees dress in black, its acceptable to use this outfit as inspiration for your ow n interview look, as long as you dont go overboard.For example, a little black dress, so long as it hits mid-thigh or below, would be a good choice. A black blazer layered over a simple top and paired with black slacks is another good option. Victorias Secret Interview Tips Familiarize yourself with Victorias Secret lines know their latest additions, expansions, and the status of the brand. Check out the companys careers pageto learn more about their hiring process. Victorias Secret is more than just a lingerie store as a salesperson, youll also be expected to comment on their clothing line, their perfumes, and their hair, body, and makeup products. Visit the store before your interview, so you know which products are featured on display. You can impress the interviewer if you have a working knowledge of the fit of their clothes and the accessories they carry. Remember the best accessory is a smile most clothing stores focus on making the shopping experience one thats enjoyable and enticing for their customers, so a manager isnt going to want to hire someone who always has a sour expression on their face or who has a bad attitude. Be friendly and outgoing during your interview so your interviewer knows you will interact in that way with customers, too. Show the hiring manager that youll be a good team member management wise, retail stores function as a team, so your interviewer will want to see that youre capable of good teamwork. Beready to speak about your abilities to work well with others. Share your customer service skills during the interview customer service skills are an important asset in the retail world, so be prepared to answer interview questions related to customer service and how you would handle a variety of situations and scenarios that could come up in a days work. Practice customer service interview questions and answers before the interview. Be flexible the retail industry expects employees to be able to work flexible hours, including e venings and weekends. Its a good idea to emphasize your availability during the interview, especially if you are able to work changeable hours.

4 tips for living with uncertainty in corporate America

4 tips for living with uncertainty in corporate America4 tips for living with uncertainty in corporate AmericaHaving a comfortable job in a corporate office space can provide advantages,butjob security isnt always one of them.What happens when you dont get that raise you were hoping for, your employer decides to restructure, or they make the tough choice to relocate the company altogether, jeopardizing your standort?Heres how to thrive during uncertainty.Make sure your resume and website are up-to-dateGetting laid off is the last thing you want to think about, but you should periodically update your resume to reflect your current employment status.Also make sure your professional website has your current portfolio and that each page is edited to reflect where youre currently working. You dont want a recruiter to stumble upon your website, only to find out that its not accurate.That being said, if your position gets eliminated, or you feel the need to jump ship, you wont have to do th e heavy lifting of updating everything beforemore heavy lifting while applying for jobs.Stay in touch with your networkDont just reach out when you need help.Make sure you stay in contact with your connections over the course of the year- wish them happy holidays, briefly fill them in on what youve been up to, offer to help them with projects, and offer to give back to less experienced people who they know in your field.This way, reaching out wont look like youre suddenly groveling after letting a long time go by.Make sure you have enough money in your emergency fundIf you get laid off, and your company doesnt provide a lengthy severance package, you might be in for serious financial trouble. So make an effort to contribute a percentage of your income to your savings every time you take home a paycheck.Automating parts of the savings process can be a big help because you wont have to manually transfer money. Even if you forget, your money is still working for you.Also be sure to se t up your 401(k) as early as possible so you have to save less money in a shorter amount of time down the line.Talk to someone about performance and company outlookYou dont want to be blindsided.If your employer doesnt do performance reviews, youll need to take the initiative and meet with your manager about how youre faring. You might think youre contributing enough to the team, but your supervisor might be able to highlight areas of tauglichkeit improvement.Youll also want to have as much information as possible about the companys goals, if its been successful in achieving them so far, and where its heading.That way, it will be easier to tell if your department has been underperforming, and you can make informed decisions about the work youre doing.Make sure youre on the same page as your supervisor, and ask HR if you have any further questions about the company as a whole.