You’ve aced the interview, landed the offer, and signed on the dotted line. But you still must deliver on the impression you made once you start the job.
You’ve aced the interview, landed the offer, and signed on the dotted line. But you still must deliver on the impression you made once you start the job. Here are 10 tips for successfully starting a new job.
The decision to offer employment is made based on a combination of interview skills, referees, your resume, and any submitted examples of work. If you’ve won the hiring manager over enough to be offered a job, you want to prove to them in the early days that they made the right decision. Ensure that you’re thorough in your work, ask questions, show commitment, and genuinely try to do your best.
Each organisation will have star performers. If you observe a person in the business that has exemplary tech skills, project manages well, or always comes to the table with out-of-the-box ideas, identify opportunities to collaborate or ask for their input. Shadowing this individual may also be an option during your onboarding process. Not only will this ensure you learn the ways of the business, but you’ll genuinely learn something from someone skilled you admire.
This might be a question for your manager or may have already been determined by the key measurables in your contract. Regardless, it’s worth looking at those same star players in the business and assessing why they might have succeeded. Does the organisation reward a certain accomplishment, skill or characteristic? Do more opportunities become available after a certain tenure? This will help you set some goals and a pathway for success.
Hopefully, you’ve landed a position in a positive workplace, and this isn’t an issue that will pop up. If you do find yourself in conversations where people are complaining, especially about another colleague, keep neutral and avoid feeding the flame. If possible, change the topic of conversation.
As part of successfully starting a new job, one of the most critical things to communicate is how you are contributing to the business. If you are responsible for any projects, make the completion rate or status of your project can be easily read in whatever tracker you are using.
While it’s understandable you might want to sit back and take everything in during the first days and weeks of a new job, team meetings are too good of an opportunity to miss. Seldom will all the team – whether it’s the entire business, a project team, or a department – be together in one spot listening to one another. Try to listen carefully and identify opportunities where you can contribute based on your own knowledge. If you don’t have anything to share, consider thinking of some constructive questions that might be valuable for discussion.
The terms of your contract will determine what times you start and finish. Particularly if flexible work or strict hours was a condition for you accepting employment. However, if there is a business need, consider volunteering to arrive 15 minutes early or sacrificing a small portion of your lunch break to accommodate something business-critical. While this certainly shouldn’t be an expectation and won’t harm the relationship if you don’t, it does show commitment.
Just as the interview stage was a two-way street, so should your development. Ask questions so you can learn how things are done, without assuming. In the same vein, ask for feedback so any mistakes are quickly identified. Asking for feedback shows your managers that you embrace self-improvement, and you care about your work.
Most companies will have culture or wellness activities to promote team bonding. While they may be optional, this is a great opportunity to show that you want to be embedded in the team. It’s also a great way to develop relationships with your colleagues on a more personal level. This in turn will deepen professional relationships and you’ll find your participation will stimulate more office chatter and colleagues wanting to help you as you onboard.
Starting a new job and entering a new workplace can be intimidating. Ensure you maintain healthy habits outside of work to preserve your overall well-being. If you dedicate every moment of your time to the new position, you’re more likely to become overwhelmed. Get adequate sleep, lean on your family and friends if needed, and make time to enjoy hobbies in your downtime.
With 10 tips for successfully starting a new job under your belt, you’re sure to deliver on the impression you made during the interview.
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