Getting ready to start a new job? Congratulations, we are excited about every success story! Your next hurdle will be the first few days, meeting co-workers, learning the company culture and getting used to the way your new company does business. Instead of stressing over proving yourself to your co-workers, it’s important to remember that:
You Are New to the Company
While you may be perfectly qualified for the position, and you aren’t participating in any training, that doesn’t mean you can simply slide in unnoticed. You’re new here, and it’s important to step back and accept this fact. Understanding the company culture and remembering the names and faces of your co-workers and higher-ups is just as important to your success as having the skills required to do the job. So don’t bypass the little things simply because no one is testing you in a training session; seek out the information and prove that you care about more than the paycheck.
You Still Need to Ask Questions
Don’t fear asking questions about company norms or policies. In fact, people may even like you better when they do you a favor; it’s called the Ben Franklin effect and his popularity hasn’t waned in decades. The favor could be introducing you to people at the company, explaining how things work or even helping you find the cafeteria, just putting yourself out there and admitting you need a little help will gain you respect and maybe a few friends.
Create a Plan That Will Work
CareerSherpa recommends creating a “30-60-90 Day Plan,” for your first days and months of work. Creating this sort of plan or a similar version is a great idea for your own personal goals as well as to show your new boss your plans for success with the company. Start your plan by giving yourself a timeline to get acquainted with the company’s culture, values and goals and lead up to how you will use your strengths to accomplish goals or projects outlined in the job description.
While you’re settling in, don’t fall back into the routines you held at your old job just because you’re used to them, decide what was effective and change what you need to. Hopefully you’ll be working here for a long time so take your time getting comfortable, learn the ropes and set achievable goals, share them, and you’ll show everyone how well you’ll succeed.
