Starting a new job is somewhat like being the new kid in school. There are already cliques, rules you know nothing about, and an entire way of life happening that is not covered in the employee manual. Work in these 5 simple ideas amidst the excitement and nerves to help you start this new journey successfully.
1. Introduce yourself.
While you may be shy and this may feel extremely awkward, it is essential to starting your new position on a good note. Don’t wait for people to come up to you, honestly they may never even find the time to do so. Take the initiative. Introduce yourself to the people who work closest to you and say hi in elevators, bathrooms, and break areas. Just make sure you come off as happy and personable, these first impressions are crucial.
2. Don’t get comfortable too fast.
Sure, you got the job and this is the first day of your new life, but don’t let your guard down. For the first few months, pretend that this is just a longer version of the interview process. Show them everything you sold them on in the initial interview. If you told them that you were a genius with analytics, show this quality early on. Make it clear that they made a great decision hiring you.
3. Befriend a seasoned vet.
Everyone was once in your shoes. You are relatable and in a unique position to capitalize on your success by aligning yourself with the right people. Find out who the movers and shakers are. You can utilize them to find out silly information like where the bathroom is or the unwritten rules about coffee, as well as more vital info such as corporate culture. There are office politics everywhere, get a good grasp on what to expect from someone who has been in the trenches for years and has the wounds to prove it.
4. Work hard.
You’re thinking, “Of course, this is a no-brainer”, but honestly, this can be tough. Usually, you won’t have all of the skills and information during your first few days or weeks to be of great service to the team. They know that. Show that you are eager to learn and willing to work hard anyways, they will understand that you’re trying and that can go a long way.
5. Don’t forget the reason you were hired.
Everyone has his or her own ideals of growth and learning and happiness within their job. Of course you want to personally feel fulfilled in your new role, but ultimately you were hired to help. Hired to take some of the burden off of someone or fill a gap of some sort, whatever the reason your role is there for a bigger purpose. Try to keep that in mind and strive to fulfill both your personal goals and the company goals.
All eyes are on you, waiting for you to show them what you are made of. So remember these 5 simple ideas, take a deep breath…and knock their socks off.