If you’ve ever worked a corporate job, you know it basically means every man for himself. There’s the corporate ladder, strict rules and guidelines, and even coworker competition. Stress is inevitable with any job you have, but the corporate office is known to care more about hitting company goals and less about its actual employees. Don’t let this “dog-eat-dog world” sway your confidence in the workplace. Have faith in your personal skillset, carry yourself with determination, and crush it at the office with some tips from your Just N Life crew!
Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
If you’re stepping into a new role, don’t go into it blindly. Review the qualifications, duties, and skills the hiring team is looking for. If you apply to a job that isn’t a good fit for your personal credentials, you’re setting yourself up for failure right at the jump! Try to apply to positions that you know you’ll excel in and for which you have the right qualifications. You’ll feel much less nervous on your first day because you know you’re fully capable of meeting the job’s expectations.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
Asking for help or clarification on something is scary, but it’s even scarier to feel lost in the workplace. It’s okay to ask others for help, especially if you’re a newbie. Corporate offices can pressure their employees to be quick learners, but that’s what training is for. If you feel like you aren’t being given enough time to grasp something, expand your training on your own terms. During lunch breaks or at the end of the day, ask a trusted coworker for guidance. It doesn’t hurt to ask questions outside of training, and this will help you feel more prepared for future training sessions.
Attend Those After-Work Parties!
Sometimes the biggest roadblock in corporate structure is an incohesive team. It helps balance out the workflow and provides a strong foundation for teamwork. If no one talks to each other during work hours, the lack of community will start to show up in the work quality. If you have a desk partner, ask them what their favorite food is, ask them how many siblings they have, anything to get the ball rolling! Once you get close with your work peers, you’ll be sure to get invited to any future work parties. There’s just something about seeing your coworkers outside of work that creates a sense of familiarity and trust that will easily transfer over to the office!
Voice Your Ideas
The quickest way to build workplace confidence, while earning respect from the higher-ups, is to let your creativity shine through. Others around you will admire the courage you took to speak up in a meeting and voice your opinion. It’s easy to hide away in a corporate room full of people, but people might not take you seriously. The ones who actively contribute to company meetings, business dilemmas, and offer solutions are the ones who get remembered around the office. Show everyone you deserve respect and will not fall victim to the corporate work structure.
Important reminder: The corporate work environment is not for the faint of heart. If you truly struggle to feel happy or confident at your corporate job, it does not make you weak if you quit. It takes just as much strength to leave a job as it does to stick it out and tolerate a toxic office environment. Not everyone is meant for the corporate world, and that’s okay. Sometimes, finding confidence in the workplace means taking a different route and building your confidence along the way.
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