10 Ways To Fit In At Your New Job
10 Ways To Fit In At Your New Job. Getting a new job is exciting, but it can be a little scary as well. New jobs mean a new workplace, colleagues, and rules and regulations to follow. It is important to adapt to new working conditions, to rise to the expectations of your employer and exceed them. The following tips will help you settle nicely at your new work place.
1. Relax
On the first day of your new job, try not to stress too much about fitting in and getting things right. No matter how good you are at adapting to new situations, there is going to be an adjustment period where you will be learning about the company and how to best take care of the responsibilities of your new job.
2. Be Willing To Try New Things
No matter how much you liked certain things about your old company, your new team’s culture will probably be different in a number of ways. And more often than not, that’s a good thing. However, it’s easy to default to behaviors that were acceptable in a previous role simply because they feel familiar.
3. Get To Know Your New Colleagues
Ask them about their hobbies, their favorite sports, where they went to school or what they studied. Asking questions will help you find common ground with them and build rapport. While it’s OK to ask questions of your new co-workers, try to keep the questions light and neutral to begin with. You don’t need to know about their political or religious beliefs or their age or relationship status.
4. Don’t Badmouth Your Former Employer
Speak well of the people at your last job. Even though you’ve passed the job interview and been diplomatic and discrete about your previous employer, now is not the time to let loose and start badmouthing your former boss or co-workers. For that matter, there’s never a good time to badmouth your previous employer, no matter how secure you feel in your new job.
5. Have A Sense Of Humor
People generally like being around others who are easy-going and make funny jokes. But keep it minimal and not to the point where everything that comes out of your mouth is supposed to be a “joke.” Expressing individuality allows others to trust you and you will make better connections instantly.
Always Be Ready For Feedback
Feedback is essential for improving your professional skills, be it positive or negative. Appreciate feedback and ask for it whenever you get the chance to, especially during your first several months. You can even ask the supervisor to give you some feedback on your overall performance and to tell you the aspects where you need to work harder.
7. Try Harder Than The Rest
As a newbie, it is your duty to make a good first impression: you do not need to struggle to the point where your send off the wrong message and look fake, but you do need to make an extra effort. You want your colleagues to remember you as the hard worker, the “resource” that is indispensable to the organization. Also, accept new assignments even if the duties are not included in your job responsibilities.
8. Understand And Respect The Corporate Culture
The corporate culture refers to the dress code and the general set of rules all employees respect. It is crucial to be punctual: as a matter of fact, it is highly recommended to reach the office 5 to 10 minutes earlier than you are supposed to. Also, avoid dressing too casually and avoid being overdressed at the same time.
9. Be A Good Observer
There is no better way to blend in and to adapt to your new job requirements than by simply observing the personal and professional relationships around you. Analyze others discretely, see how they interact, see how successful business people approach different matters and solve them. Find a mentor who is willing to take you under his wing and help you succeed. Find your values and your strong points and then use them in your best interest!
10. Be Flexible
It is important to be flexible and willing to help. If a colleague asks for your help, give it to him and avoid saying that it is not part of your job duties. Even if you come across business processes that are unfamiliar to you, keep an open mind and be willing to adapt. Do not try to do things your way and be open to suggestions: remember that your colleagues have been around for a longer period of time, so you might want to look to them for inspiration.
