Issue link: http://gijobsdigimag.epubxp.com/i/800169
16 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2017 | GIJOBS.COM TRANSITION CAREER COACH SO THERE I WAS. I landed a job with a great company, cleared CIF and received my discharge papers. I even sub- mitted my VA disability claim early! Now it was time to focus on my new job. For me, I went from wearing the uniform on a Friday to wearing a collared shirt and tie on the following Monday. I was very gracious it played out like this, because getting paid from DFAS and my new job was awesome! However, something hit me Warning: The following is a personal account from August 2015 as I left active duty. You may or may not experience the same when leaving the military … that weekend before I started my new job … I was a nervous wreck! I found myself on Saturday saying, "Dude, you have been in the Army for the last six years of your life. You haven't worked in the civilian work- place since before Obama moved into the White House ... What are you going to do?!" Here's the strange part. I wasn't nervous about the job itself. At the time, I had been working in IT for six years, obtained a Master of Science in IT Management and had the capability to learn new concepts in technology. Sure, there would be a learning curve because of the nature of my company's business, but otherwise, I knew I could do the job. What was causing this feeling? Honestly, I couldn't put it into words. I could not tell my wife why my stomach was in knots on that Monday morning as I put on my tie. Corporate culture? No. Co-workers that don't "get me"? Not really. My boss being upset that I will have to take time to go to those pesky VA appointments as I navigate the compensation for disability process? Not that either. I just couldn't explain it. While driving to work for my first day, I realized what was going on. My time during the year prior to leaving active duty was so consumed with finding a job that I forgot about the first day jitters that were going to accompany that new job ... and jitters is putting it lightly. Once I arrived for new hire orientation, those jitters seemed to float away. Seri- ously, they disappeared faster than steaks on "steak day" in the DFAC downrange. So here is my advice as it relates to that crucial first day: First, the jitters will probably hit you, too! You're excited about your new begin- nings, but you will be nervous. It doesn't matter whether you were an E-4 that separated after your initial enlistment or an E-9 that served more than 20 years, those jitters will hit you smack-dab in the face! Ride it out ... most likely you won't be able to explain it either, but they will disappear almost immediately after ar- riving at your new work digs. Secondly, try to fit in. This isn't the military, so don't use the knife-hand when talking to employees if you are in a supervisory role, and please don't use acronyms when speaking to co-workers. Learn the culture and embrace it, because this is your life now. Lastly, do your best. I shouldn't have to say this because as veterans, we (most of us) inherently do this. When I say do your best, I mean ask questions and be willing to learn. You aren't expected to be an expert the first day, but do your best at becoming a good employee. By the way, congratula- tions! This is indeed an exciting time in your life! BY JAMES PAYTON HOW TO FIGHT NEW-JOB JOB JITTERS