Whether it’s finishing your degree and starting your career, getting some work experience in over the summer, or even landing a part time job, millennials are starting to find their feet on the employment ladder.
Moving from a comfortable and relaxing classroom to a hectic, scary office can be daunting for any postgraduate or new employee. Starting your career needn’t be a stressful task, however. Your bosses, supervisors and colleagues can all chip in to make your working life an enjoyable one with a few painless tips and pointers.
Feedback
New, young employees are aware they’re new more than anyone. Fuelled with anxiety and motivation, the majority of millennials starting their careers are determined to do well. A little pat on the back is sometimes all it takes for a new recruits confidence to sky rocket. Knowing they’re improving makes them want to improve more, and that’s good for both parties. When confidence is high, then the standard of work is equally as high. Alternatively, constructive feedback to get new hires back on track or improving can provide guidance any new employee may need.
Trust
As a boss, it’s ok to be overprotective of your business to a certain extent. Hovering over a new starter isn’t going to get them settled. If they can see you’re nervous about them making a mistake, then they are going be twice as nervous that they’re going to. It’s a vicious circle. Start them off with something simple to do and increase their workload. When you can see their confidence building, set them something challenging to do. Remember, these new starters have come from Universities, colleges or schools, where they are constantly being pushed, so don’t make them tread water. Rookies are hungry to succeed, so let them and they will.
Environment
Coming into a new workplace with a new job, any new employee is bound to a bucket load of questions. You cannot expect someone to be an expert on day 1, so when the inevitable question (or questions) come, be understanding. If their question is greeted with a harsh reply, then there won’t be any questions in the future. If they don’t ask, they won’t know, and if they don’t know, then that’s when mistakes will happen. Make the workplace a friendly and inviting one, so when they come to you for help, they’re going to get it, and not an earful.
Culture
A rule for the whole office and not just the boss. Make any new starter want to come to work each day. Take a couple of minutes out of your day to introduce yourself, and involve them with any plans you’ve made with the rest of the office. Feeling alone at work is one of the primary causes to workplace stress, so create a community feel to your workplace and submerge them into the company culture. The more they look forward to coming to work, the better their work will be.
However,
It is vitally important to make a new employee feel welcome for all the reasons listed above. However, they can’t get away with murder forever. Sooner or later, they’re going to make a mistake, and there’s only so many errors you can pass off as just being new. Sometimes, discipline can have a positive effect. As a boss, don’t hesitate to act when complacency kicks in. They may be new and it’s important to set a good impression of your workplace, but you still have a business to run.
A few, easy tips can help transform a nervy new employee into a confident, happy young worker. Remember, we were all in their position once, so let’s make it as easy as we can for them.
Charlie Atkinson
