Nervous for my job!

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I finally got a job working at Stewart's (which is like a small convinence store, with 300 stores in NY and VT) anyway I am a little nervous to start tomorrow because I've never had a job. I have no clue how to work a cash register or work the coffee machines at all and I'm just afraid I won't know what to do since this is one of those jobs that you are constantly doing something else. My manager is pretty cool though so I am just going to ask him to direct me for the first couple weeks until I know when and what to do a certian time. Any tips? Is this the right way to approach it? and do you get what I mean about direction and initaitive? (better word to use)

This may sound funny, but take time to breathe. Just remember that your strength is in learning a pattern, a method, a routine. Watch every time the manager shows you how to do something watch how it is done and pace it. Remember that everything will get done if you pace yourself, when you think you have to do everything at once is when you get all tangled up. Just find your rhythm and pretty soon you will be cranking it out.

And don't worry about the cash register. Most of them count out the change for you.

Just remember to breathe evenly. It gives you something to concentrate on that you can control. And good luck!!

Merle

Congratulations on finding a job! Someone ought to be assigned to train you, and they should be able to tell you things step by step. Merle is correct, breathe. And, it's only your first day. You will have to learn, but they will give you time to learn it. It is not at all like they're going to "leave you to it."

People are more likely to overlook mistakes and are more supportive of new staff if they like them and warm to them.

Remember to be personable with the peole you will be working with. Making an eye contact, smiling and saying a simple "hello" or an "Alright. How's it going?" will give you a breathing space to learn how to co-exist with your colleagues.

Just relax. Be cool. Be friendly. Remember that everyone is there for the same reason (they need money for food, socks, televisions etc.)

so??
How did it go?



Merle

I really like this advice, it works on so many levels and in so many different situations.

Another possible suggestion would be to carry a small pocket notebook to write down procedures and other things, so you can refer to it later. Good luck!

Okay, all of the above and . . . here's kind of the zen of it all . . . you don't want to try too hard! For if you try too hard, you'll likely to both make yourself nervous and other people nervous as well. Now, I typically do try too hard at the beginning of a new job, but I'm also in the process of learning skills for graciously backing off.

It's very much a matter of a steady B game, and not an occasionally A game.

And frankly, even if you go on to medical school and become a doctor, a lot of that is still a matter of a steady B game!

For example, in Melvin Konner's excellent book BECOMING A DOCTOR (1992), towards the beginning he listed:
1) If something is working, keep doing it.
2) If something's not working, stop doing it
.
.
.
That is, in a credible way, medicine is much more trial and error than people might think. So, it's important not to become married to what you first think is going on with a patient, but instead be willing to adjust as you go along.

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So, learn a lot. You will make mistakes, it's all part of the human condition, just try to let your medium mistakes remain medium mistakes, and be open to appreciating people for the quirky, unpredictable, amazing beings they are (well, sometimes amazing let's say, sometimes they're just there)

All the best. And please drop us a line from time to time.