Back to Work

The first day at a new job is like the first day of school. You wake up feeling slightly sick from anxiety. No matter how many times you remind yourself that you were hired because you are capable of handling the role, you still worry about being the ‘new kid’. You won’t get along with your colleagues. Your new boss will soon change her mind and think you’re an idiot. You’ll be unable to handle the company’s databases. Something is bound to go wrong.

I used to change jobs every two years or so, and every time was the same. One instance, however, will stick in my mind for a long time. I was genuinely excited to work for this company, so I was doubly anxious on my first day.

It was a small office, and until you were granted keys, you had to ring a buzzer to gain entry to the building. The person on the intercom sounded very grumpy. I told myself it was because it was Monday, not because of me. I made my way upstairs and did the usual rounds of introductions – the ones where you forget everyone’s names in 5 minutes and they all remember yours. Then...