According to human psychology, people have a tendency to experience fear in new situations.
Therefore, it makes sense that the majority of employees experience anxiety while starting a new job. Humans fear change because it puts us in situations wherein, we can’t anticipate the outcome.
A predictable outcome is preferred by our minds over an uncertain one. The brain prefers a predictable conclusion to one that is uncertain, even if it is negative. The fear of change is powerful.
If you’re applying for a new job, don’t worry too much. You can handle it. There are ways to handle your fears as a first-time employee. Be it in the corporate world, abroad, or even in a BPO company, you can do it.
If you’re a first-time employee, in this article we will list down the things that first-time call center employees fear the most and how to handle them.
1. Fear of asking questions.
First-time call center employees are often afraid to ask questions. When someone asks a question that they believe they should already know the answer to, they worry that they will be judged for what they say and will appear foolish or incompetent.
However, when starting a new job, everyone has a ton of questions. Encourage yourself to ask if you’re unsure about anything and remind yourself that these questions aren’t silly. And of course, never deride or make fun of the company for asking a question.
Asking questions is how we learn. It is also a way of encouraging high morale. If we feel empowered to ask questions, we will be better equipped to seek out information as we need it.
2. Fear of rejection.
The natural human fear of rejection sets in when people are in new environments. But this often reduces with time, as long as the employee feels welcomed and part of the team. Management can help by encouraging a collaborative culture from the start.
What is a collaborative culture? It is an environment where everyone’s input and ideas are valued. Together with the management, it avoids shooting down ideas and suggestions, even from entry-level employees. If the company does this, those call center agents won’t be encouraged to actively participate and make suggestions in the future.
If the company fosters a culture of collaboration with first-time employees, this will make them feel that they are part of the decision-making process. This helps to build trust in the workplace and shows them that management also values everyone.
3. Fear to express self and new ideas.
Some workplaces are extremely “set in their ways,” which means they are unwelcoming to new ideas and perspectives. And most of the time, first-time employees are having a hard time expressing themselves and their new ideas because they feel that they aren’t welcome or part of the group.
Managers have a major part to play in encouraging a culture that rewards self-expression and new ideas. An employee might, for instance, voice concern over a policy change. In that case, managers shouldn’t ignore the comment or forbid the worker from expressing their opinions. Instead, they should express gratitude for their input. If they think the suggestion is valid, they can then act on it. If they believe the new policy is for the best, they can take the time to explain why.
Your new employee will feel more confident in sharing their own opinions and ideas if they observe that others are able to do so without fear of retaliation. If you actively solicit employee input and feedback at every stage, so much better. In order to overcome fear in the workplace, one essential element is to feel protected.
4. Fear of communicating with authorities.
Don’t over-emphasize the hierarchy in the workplace. There most likely is one, yes. But even first-time employees should feel able to reach out to management where necessary. Encourage an environment where no one is too important to speak to anybody else. By doing this, you’ll make sure that everyone realizes that you’re all on the same team.
If new employee sees dynamic interaction between employees at all levels, they’ll follow suit. This interaction should not be confined to formal meetings, either. Aim to encourage a culture where anyone, can have a friendly chat with anyone else.
5. Fear of underperformance.
Everyone puts their best in an interview. But once they’ve landed the job, new employees often fear they won’t live up to the expectations of their new employer. The best way to help them with overcoming fear in the workplace around underperformance is to ensure expectations are clearly communicated, and that your employees have all the tools they need to meet them. For instance, you could schedule their work using an employee schedule template.
Ensure that you often provide your team members with feedback on how they are doing as well. This can take the form of informal feedback as well as regular performance reviews. Remember to be constructive and to tell your employees what they’re doing well at least as much as you talk about areas for improvement.
