Tips on Starting a New Job

So, you finally received that call you have been waiting for the past two weeks, you got the job! Hooray, you made it. You obviously put in a lot of hard work to get to this point. Now you are looking forward to your first day at your new job. Starting a new job comes with uncertainties; new people, a new work environment, and new responsibilities. To set you up for success in the new job we have prepared the following tips to guide you through this milestone.

1 Prepare Yourself
You would have already known much about your new employer through the interview. However, before you start the job update yourself on what the company has been up to through their social media sites/website. Some information you find on these sites may help you in the position that you applied for.

Your employer will usually contact you to advise you of the date you are expected to start and what to expect on your first day. On the other hand, if you have not received any call from them before the day you are expected to start then give them a call to make sure that they are expecting you.

Ensure that you have this vital information:

• What time do you start?
• Is there anything your new manager would like you to prepare for your first day?
• What is the dress code?
• If you’re on site:
  • Who do you report to?
  • Will you have an allocated parking space? If not, where should you park?
  • Will you need a pass to access the building? If so, where do you get this from?
  • Do you need to bring anything with you?
  • Are there any hygiene rules you must adhere to in the building?

2 Arrive on Time
Before you start the position, plan ahead. Figure out your mode of transport and how far you would be traveling. You can even make the trip to the workplace a few days before you start to figure out how much time it takes to get to the location. When you do go on your first day, try and leave early so you can arrive to work a few minutes early.

3 Dress up according to the Company Dress Code
Many companies have a smart dress code or even allow their employees to dress casually. If you are not sure of what to wear then ask about the company dress code. Ensure that you have your work outfits ready so you do not have to spend time looking for clothes

4 Meet People and Build Relationships
Building relationships can be hard and it can be even harder if you are an introvert. But if you would like to fit into the organization then it is essential to meet your team members and build relationships with them. Try your best to be friendly, and if you are not comfortable at first with your team members then you can break the ice by asking for advice. Try to remember the names of everyone you meet. It may be hard to remember all the names of your new co-workers in a short span of time but people appreciate it when you remember their names.

5 Don’t act like you know everything
Being humble is worth a lot when you are starting your new job. Nobody likes a know it all especially if you do not know anything about the organization you are working for. On the other hand, pay attention in your first few days to important details such as internal policy and company culture. Pay attention to all the important information and make notes for future reference.

6 Ask Questions 
When you start a new job you will obviously have a lot of questions. These questions can vary from finding your way around the building, to how to perform certain tasks, and maybe even company policies. You also probably forgot about some of the things that were mentioned to you during the interview. Hence do not be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. If you are unclear about something, ask your employer or your fellow employees. If you do not ask questions then managers will have the perception that you are struggling but are just too afraid to speak up. On the other hand, not asking questions can cause issues further down the line, so don’t be scared to ask questions in the early days of a job.

7 Be Nice
Being nice goes a long way. People like nice people, and if you are nice to everyone you’re going to go a long way with your new job. Remember that people at the bottom of the pay scale may know more about the company than those at the top. Hence, it is very important that you be nice that everyone you meet.

8 Use Positive Body Language
Career coaches focus on your body language when they interview you because our body language may give away some information that we cannot confidently share with them. For example, if you do not make eye contact whilst talking to your team members they may think that you are not interested in the discussion. You cannot keep your body language in check all the time, however if you want to appear more confident and approachable then try having these habits:

• Stand up straight
• Make eye contact with whoever you’re speaking to
• Don’t fidget
• Keep your hands out of your pockets
• Have a clear desk at all times
• Work on your handshake or other more hygienic greetings

9 Keep Away From Office Politics
Every workplace has an employee that may not be getting along with another. As a new employee, it is better to just observe from the sidelines rather than get involved in order to fit in with other employees. If you know that someone may be corrupted or is doing something against the company policies then do discuss it with your superior. Besides that, your priority  is to learn your job and carry on doing your job.

10 Create Good Time Management Skills At Work From The start
When you start your job it does not take long for the volume of work and projects to pile up. Your workload along with the personal things you would need to address on a regular basis can become very overwhelming if you do not find a way to manage your time.

You can manage your time by:

• setting priorities
• maintaining a list of items to be addressed daily
• scheduling blocks of items to address certain items

It is also ok to say “No”. If you are asked to do a task or complete a project, you can share your current task and negotiate the due date for the other task. If you think that requests are piling up then ask your manager to help you set priorities. If you are constantly being asked to do work other than the ones allocated to you by your superior politely say “No” to these tasks. Helping your co-workers out is one thing but do not allow yourself to become a doormat and become overwhelmed and stressed out with the job load being handed to you. Finally, find some ways to get some activity covered if you cannot do it yourself like if you do not have time to do work at home then hire someone to keep your apartment/flat for you.

The list might seem like a lot to think about and put into action but this is what managers like to see in new starters. Some may come naturally to you and some would require practice. So instead of trying to focus on all of them, identify the ones that are your weak spots and work on them. We hope that this blog helps those that have found a new job and are finding it hard to adjust to the new work environment.