Starting a new job is a very exciting experience. It can be considered a new chapter of your life. However, excelling is in your new role might not be as easy as you might think. While some people are naturals at adjusting to a new environment, some people don’t adapt as easy. If you’re having any issues at your new workplace, we’re here to help.
When starting your new job, it’s always up to you to be more proactive in your new workplace. Try getting to know your colleagues better, accept invitations from colleagues for lunch, or simply make conversation during downtimes in the workplace, such as days when it’s not too busy.
Nevertheless, it takes some time to settle into a new position. Some people require less time than others, and other people need more. Depending on what type of person you are and the workplace you’re involved in, time will eventually run its course. One day you’ll find yourself fitting right in without even noticing it.
So, be kind to yourself and cut yourself some slack if you notice you are having a bumpy transition. Always remember that you’re there because of your skills, knowledge, and experience. Be confident in yourself, work hard, and everything will eventually fall into place. One day, you’ll look back and wonder why you were worried in the first place.
What to Do When Starting a New Job
When starting a new job, there are a handful of things to keep in mind. These can range from being as professional as you can be to being as knowledgeable as you can be about the workplace’s culture, people, and general information about the company you’re working for.
Nevertheless, everything is about effort. Not exactly effort exerted to the specific work you’re doing, but the effort in recognizing elements that need to be addressed to improve your experience in the workplace, and, of course, doing something about it. These are the intangible interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that you’ll need to work on.
Make a Good First Impression
First impressions last, be as proper and respectful as possible to your colleagues and workplace. A good first impression to maintain is the quality of being professional.
A 2020 study about professionalism said, "Employees who have an attitude of professionalism have the ability to understand duties and responsibilities, maintain relationships and social interaction in the workplace and focus on work matters.”
It’s about showing loyalty, dependability, and responsibility. So, how you carry yourself in the workplace can affect your new colleagues’ perception of you. However, professionalism isn’t just being as decent as you can be to everyone; it’s also about looking and acting the part.
For starters, good professionalism qualities to adhere to are dressing appropriately and arriving to work on time. These simple factors can easily be underappreciated, but the value it brings to people’s perception of you is exponential. It shows how you value your work and the workplace.
Dressing Professionally
Dressing appropriately can be very important, as it brings out a certain kind of energy. It shows that you’re competent, to be respected, and someone who gives respect back. It’s about looking as professional as possible and saying you’re there to do business.
You don’t need to dress in expensive clothing to look professional, and it’s all about looking the part. Even the cheapest suits or dresses can look very professional if you iron them nicely and if they fit you well. If your company requires uniforms, then wear them correctly, which means you shouldn’t alter them to look more fashionable.
Looking professional also entails a few more details about how you look—it’s also about how you present yourself in the workplace. It’s always good to remember that “less is more,” which means that jewelry, makeup, perfume, and cologne should be minimal, if not omitted. Sporting a clean, tidy haircut and covering tattoos and piercings would also go a long way.
Remember, “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”
Being Punctual
Dressing the part is one thing, but, of course, you must act the part—and that’s arriving on time. Punctuality is very important in the workplace because it means you respect other people’s time, colleagues, and the workplace. So, don’t be late and get to work on time. Doing this shows commitment, respect, and reliability.
Being punctual isn’t just about arriving 15 minutes before the bell. It’s also about submitting work on time. If deadlines are imposed on your work, make sure that you pass it before the given deadline, and, of course, it should be quality work, with minimal to no errors.
It may not always be possible to be consistent when doing this. Work can pile up at any moment, you might get overwhelmed, and even all the hard work in the world couldn’t finish all the tasks. So, let your boss know, respectfully explain why you can’t finish it, and if you can, ask for advice on how to finish it quicker.
In an article from LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network on the internet, “...Being punctual helps you establish your reputation as a dependable and consistent worker.”
Get to Know your Co-workers
Establishing rapport is essential in the workplace; it shows that you can build connections and create relationships conducive to a better workplace. Good interpersonal skills can substantially affect how others perceive you and how you perceive others.
So, get to know your coworkers. Ask them about the work they do, their hobbies, things they love (or hate) about the job, their families, or anything you can think of which builds a relationship with a colleague. Making friends or having acquaintances can be very helpful in your transition.
However, you must also realize that timing is everything. Refrain from talking to your teammates about non-work-related subjects when they're busy or when you’re in an important meeting. So, talk to them during downtime, maybe during lunch or after work. If your colleagues invite you for social activity, consider joining them to get to know them more.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
When you start your work, if you have questions and you’re not sure of what to do, don’t be afraid to ask. Your colleagues understand that you’re new, so they’ll be willing to help anyone who sorely needs it. Not only does this help you get an answer to your queries, but it can also be a way to get to know your colleague after thanking them for the help.
Asking questions when you don’t know the answer can be extremely important in jobs that require joint efforts or in team-based projects wherein everyone has a delegated task, and everyone relies on each other’s work to proceed. If your work was wrong or wasn’t simply up to par, it can disrupt your colleagues’ workflow and ultimately disrupt the project altogether.
Remember, communication is key in the workplace. So, always be receptive to a colleague’s inquiries and ask if you need further assistance. Doing this back and forth type of communication ensures a nice and smooth workflow for everyone.
Take Advantage of Company Benefits
Many companies offer varying benefits, so make sure you know what your company offers. These could be health insurance, dental insurance, paid day offs, 401(k) plans, stock options—or even simple workplace benefits like free coffee or parking space. No matter what it is, it’s essential to know what they are and to take advantage of them.
Learning and taking advantage of company perks can help you in many ways, especially in critical situations like when you need to go to the hospital or need some time off from work to attend to a family member’s emergency.
It’s also important to know about life investments like 401(k) plans or stock options so you won’t have to worry about income when it’s time for you to retire. Peace of mind from a position of financial security can go a long way in establishing your commitment and love for your job since worries and anxieties are kept at bay.
Company benefits are there for you as an incentive for all your hard work, so take advantage of them. You deserve it.
Staying Positive
Still not finding your stride in the workplace? Don’t lose hope. Stay positive that you’ll eventually fit right in. It’s always important to understand that a successful transition does not happen overnight. While some can do it easier than others, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
People are built differently, so don’t beat yourself up. The important thing is you know who you are, and you’re comfortable with how you view yourself. So, if you see someone connecting well with everyone or quickly adjusting to the work, let them—that’s who they are. So move at your own pace, be comfortable, strive for improvement, let time run its course—be patient.
Optimism is also about finding the good in everything. Suppose you can’t adjust well with your colleagues; that means there’s more time for yourself to do things like your hobby or improve personal relationships outside your job. Or, if you’re someone who always makes mistakes at your job, you’ll have more time to master it and learn a new skill in the process.
The truth is, there’s no magic formula for acclimating to a workplace. The important thing is to have patience, the ability to recognize growth, and how you feel about yourself.
Keep Learning and Growing In Your Role
Like being optimistic, it’s always important to recognize room for growth in yourself and your work. The key is always to remember that you must appreciate your job. Even bees need drones in the beehive, chefs need dishwashers, and CEOs need interns. Every role matters, including yours.
By giving importance to your role, you’ll develop a strong work ethic and become better at your job to the point of mastery. However, it’s impossible to become a master at your craft overnight, so put in the work and the time, and you’ll eventually grow to be a superstar employee in no time.
It’s also worth noting that even if you become good at what you do, it’s essential to still have a student mentality, which means that you need to be open-minded and acknowledge the comments, tips, or secrets that can help you improve. Remember that there’s always room for improvement.
Communication, Communication, Communication
Nothing is as essential as proper communication in the workplace. Establishing a good network of communication with your colleagues creates a more efficient and positive work environment. However, communication does not limit itself exclusively to workplace concerns; it also encompasses how you generally talk with your colleagues.
How you talk can be a good show of character. It shows who you are as a person and how you see others—especially when it comes to business. Business isn’t just about making good decisions, learning strategies, or having lots of capital—interpersonal skills are equally as important.
It maintains good relationships with partners, investors, and even customers. For the workplace, it basically does the same great things— it helps you connect more with your coworkers or your boss. Proper communication at work can help you achieve goals faster by learning from others, maximizing efficiency by keeping others in the loop or understanding other people’s intentions.
Good interpersonal skills can help you make friends in the workplace since communicating well with others can create a positive and joyful work environment.
Types of Conversation
- Task-related - These are conversations about your work and how you or others can improve each other’s role in the company.
- Relationship-related - These are conversations to establish rapport, such as talking about your families and hobbies, to even small talk and greetings.
- Safety-related - Communicating health or safety risks in your workplace
These types of conversations are essential in their own way. It is much more important to enhance task-related conversations since it is the bulk of communication that happens in the workplace.
In a 2019 study about communication in the workplace, it is cited that “majority of the communication recorded was task-related communication compared with relationship-related and safety-related communication.”
Prioritize Tasks/Projects
Work can pile up at any time in the workplace, so we must learn what task to prioritize and create a workflow that maximizes efficiency. Consider creating to-do lists or keeping notes to remind yourself of what you’re supposed to be doing, so you won’t feel overwhelmed by acquiring some semblance of organization in your tasks.
All tasks in the workplace are important, but some are more important than others—a skill in itself is, recognizing what. Begin by properly analyzing your workload and think about each task's degrees or impact. If you’re at a loss, that’s where communication also comes into place. So, ask your boss, colleagues, or even people outside your job who know better than you.
How to Say “No” When Appropriate
As a newcomer at your job, some people might think they can take advantage of you. You have to understand that some workplaces have a toxic sense of hierarchy and would think of you as someone they can manipulate into doing what they want. The first important step is recognizing it.
Know that there’s a fine line between being delegated a task or someone simply using you for personal gain. Recognize the roles of each colleague and be sure to decline any tasks that you know do not pertain to your role or tasks that you know that we’re assigned specifically to your colleague. When saying no, remember to be respectful and remain composed.
Avoiding Toxic People/Drama
Workplace politics or gossip exists everywhere, so don’t let it influence you, much less participate. You’re there to work and nothing else. So, recognize the toxic people from your workplace and simply avoid them if it does not pertain to work. Keep your head low, and ignore anything that might cost you your integrity or your job.
It’s also good to remember that the opinions of others on other people should not influence you—you can decide which people are good and which aren’t. Be perceptive, and don’t take other people’s words personally until you see or experience them for yourself.
Knowing About Company Resources
Lastly, learn more about your job or the company you’re working for with the resources that they provide and the people whom you might obtain such resources from. These could be digital resources to help your work, flyers to know more about the company, or simply asking other people. As long as you think it might help, acquiring them and learning about them is wise.
Conclusion
We hope the tips we've gone over help you excel at your new job and embrace what the future offers. It always pays off to put yourself out there and see where it takes you—whether it's an amazing career opportunity or just something you'll look back on fondly years from now. Regardless of the outcome, just do your best to improve and stay positive. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I conduct a successful job search?
There are a few key things you can do to increase your chances of landing a job:
- Research potential employers and positions that fit your skillset.
- Network with professionals in your field, including attending industry events or connecting with people on LinkedIn.
- Create a strong resume and cover letter that showcase your accomplishments and why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
- Prepare for interviews by studying common questions and practicing your responses out loud.
- After the interview, follow up with a thank-you note expressing your interest in the position.
What can I do to increase my job performance?
There are a couple of things that you can do to increase your job performance. For example, Always arrive early to work. You want to make sure that you are giving off the right first impression as one of the new employees at the company. As you step away from being a new hire, you can start to set goals for the week. Seek out a mentor who can give you advice on your career path at the new company. Understand the work culture. Additionally, take advantage of company resources, such as the employee assistance program, to help you transition into your new role. Finally, stay positive and try to be a good team player.
What should I do my first week at my new employer?
During your first week, you will want to spend time getting to know the office culture and what is expected of you in your new role. You should also take some time to get to know your co-workers and build relationships with them. Additionally, you will want to become familiar with the company’s policies and procedures. You will want to know the dress code, the start date, and any practical tips from co-workers. Its important to make a great impression on your first weeks of work.