I’m Not New

But I AM nervous! Nervous about that new job I start tomorrow.

I’ve been a technical writer and editor for over 13 years - I’m good at it and I love doing it. The problem is, this is my first real “new” job. My first tech. writing job was while I was still in college . . . my internship. I got a paid internship at a small engineering company in my home town. I was the only writer, so I basically got feedback from a bunch of male engineers during the day and drank whiskey and beer with them at the softball games in the evening. I didn’t feel overwhelmed because I knew I was new and so did they. Let’s just say expectations were low, so it was easy to exceed them. They hired me full-time when my internship was over and I’d graduated.

My next job I got after I moved here. I was a very new writer since my only previous writing job had been the internship. I loved the job and the people I worked with for over 12 years. I learned a TON! I knew what to do, I knew what was expected of me, and I was very comfortable in my ability to go to work every day and get done what I needed to, and sometimes more. I mentored new employees, made recommendations on tools we should use, and trained employees on those new tools. I was good at my job.

But tomorrow, I start a new job. My boss is the CEO of the company as well as an ex-Air Force Pilot. He’s a very good writer. He knows what he wants and how he wants it. What if how HE wants it isn’t how I end up DOING it? What if my writing abilities aren’t “all that” in his mind? What if I totally suck at this new job? What if I go in there and do a great job but they still can’t hire me for the money I want to make and the hours I want to work in 6 months? It would be easier if he WASN’T a good writer . . . then I’d feel like I had something to offer. Either way, I DO have something to offer - I know that. But instead of feeling confident, I’m feeling a little intimidated. It’s probably stupid and unfounded. He’s a great guy, and the other employees I’ve met seem wonderful as well. It’s just that it’s been a long time since I’ve been trained to do anything at a new company.

Blah blah blah - I’ll pack my lunch in the morning, put on actual work clothes instead of work out clothes, and head to the office. I’ll do what I can with what I’ve got and we’ll see how it goes.

Wish me luck!