What to Do if You Started a New Job and You're Struggling

If you started a new job and you're struggling, you may not be producing your best work. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as being overwhelmed by new tasks or not getting along with your colleagues. Learning how to overcome this can help make the transition into a new job easier, so you start to enjoy yourself at work and become a stronger employee. In this article, we explain what you can do if you're struggling at a new job and discuss why enjoying your work is important.

What to do if you started a new job and you're struggling

If you started a new job and you're struggling, here are some ways you can improve your experience in the workplace:

Identify why you feel overwhelmed

There are plenty of valid reasons you may feel overwhelmed and understanding why can help you determine the best way to resolve the issue. For example, if you feel overwhelmed because you don't know how to use a particular type of software, you can ask for additional training. When you feel more comfortable with your responsibilities, you may feel more confident about your ability to perform your tasks well and to work independently in a new role.

Give yourself time

It's normal to feel overwhelmed when starting a new job. There are new policies, processes, tasks, and technology to learn about, so it's important that you give yourself time to adapt to your new environment. You may just need a few extra weeks to settle into the job before you start finding it easier.

Ask for help

Talk to your colleagues about your problem and ask for suggestions on ways to resolve them. They may know a better way to complete tasks you've been struggling with so you can work more efficiently. Everyone needs help, no matter what stage of their career they're in at the time, and requesting support from your colleagues can help the team collaborate more effectively. You might also offer support to your colleagues to learn more about their role and how it contributes to the team's goals, and to build professional connections.

Form relationships with your colleagues

You may be struggling at your new job because you're new to the team and don't know your colleagues well. Try forming relationships with your colleagues by joining them during breaks or inviting them for coffee after work. Spending more time with them can help you find common interests and form professional relationships. This can improve collaboration, which may make you feel more comfortable at work.

Manage your time more effectively

You may be feeling overwhelmed because you have too much work to do and not enough time to do it. You can talk to your manager about receiving fewer tasks or you can try to manage your time more effectively to complete the ones for which you're currently responsible. One way to do this is to create a to-do list at the beginning of your day. List your tasks by priority, so the most important task is at the top. This ensures you complete it first, motivating you to complete the rest of your list.

Another way to manage your time more effectively is to avoid multitasking and distractions. Multitasking can be tempting when you have a lot of work to complete, but it makes it harder to focus on your tasks, which may take longer to complete. Try avoiding distractions so you can maintain your focus. If you have an office door, you can close it when you're working. If you don't, limit conversations to work topics or ask your colleagues to come back at another time.

Prioritize work-life balance

Another reason you may be feeling overwhelmed is that you're seeing your family or friends less while you're focusing on your new job. While focusing on the transition into your new job is important, having a good work-life balance is essential. This ensures you can be productive at work and still enjoy your time off. There are many ways to improve your work-life balance, starting with not taking your work home if possible. Leave your tasks at work to complete the following day or turn off your computer when you're done if you work from home.

Other ways to improve your work-life balance include taking advantage of your time off during the week and on holidays. Schedule time to spend with your family and friends when you're not working, so they know you care about them and you can feel more rejuvenated.

Practise self-care

An important part of having a good work-life balance is practising self-care. This is different for everyone. You may feel more relaxed after going to the gym, while others feel better after having a bath. Whatever your self-care technique is, ensure you make time for it after work. This is another way to make you feel more refreshed so you can handle challenges at work more effectively.

Another important part of self-care that everyone can benefit from is getting enough sleep each night. If you don't sleep well the night before going to work, you can feel more stressed, irritable, and overwhelmed, so it's important to prioritize a healthy sleep schedule.

Validate yourself

You may question your abilities if you don't immediately adapt to your new job, which can cause you to feel overwhelmed. One way to help this is to practise self-validation. Remember that your manager hired you over other candidates because you have the necessary skills and experience to succeed in your position. Try reminding yourself of this every day until you start to feel less overwhelmed.

Talk to your friends and family members for encouragement

If self-validation didn't help, talking to your friends and family members for encouragement may be more beneficial. Explain that you're feeling overwhelmed and tell them why. If it's because you're questioning your skills or credentials, your friends and family members can help you remember your strengths.

Talk to your manager

You may be hesitant to admit to your manager that you're feeling overwhelmed, but they can offer you solutions. Schedule a private meeting with your manager to discuss how you've been feeling. Ask for suggestions of ways you can feel less overwhelmed, or recommend your own solution. For example, if you know you're feeling overwhelmed because you're working too many days a week, ask your manager if you can change your schedule.

In some cases, you may just need additional training to feel more confident, which your manager can provide. Being honest with them ensures they can help you gain the tools you need to succeed.

Consider pursuing a new role

If you try several solutions and you're still struggling with the job for longer than you expected, it may not be the right position for you. It's important to be honest with yourself so you can find a role that suits you better. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with your manager to discuss your decision to leave the company. If you talked to them previously about your challenges, they may already understand your resignation. If you haven't, you can explain with as much or as little detail as you want.

After talking to your manager, you can write a formal resignation letter and give your two weeks' notice. This allows you to start looking for new jobs that may align with your interests and skill set better.