As a savvy Job Seeker, you are currently using WNYJobs.com to land that dream job. What many Job Seekers forget is that a key is to not just obtain the position you always wanted but also to keep it, all the while being a huge success.
Succeeding at a new job is a particular challenge because often the acquired position is a stretch from what someone has done in the past. This is either because of the level of work, type of work, or change in industry.
All is not lost as there are some simple tips that a person can do to ensure their success. So, let’s review now some quick hints for starting a new job.
• First Impressions are Important – Make yourself visible your first week. Introduce yourself to whoever you will be working with. Follow through the introductions with confidence, a smile, and eye contact. Second impressions are also big, so try to remember as many names as possible, however, when in doubt, leave it out as it is better not to say a name than to get it wrong. Try to be really impressive and remember the names/faces of the people you interviewed with or were introduced to in the selection process. If you are a leader of others, spend time with your new direct reports in order to get to know everybody better and for them to find out something about you.
• Get To Know Others – Beyond first impressions, it is important to build relationships. Your co-workers will hold the key to your success/failure in the new role. Build the trust necessary for you to succeed.
• Show Energy & Enthusiasm – Let people know that you are glad to be there and ready to make an impact. Stay positive during your on-boarding plan and all the polices/procedures/systems that you have to learn.
• Show Commitment – If you’re an exempt (salary) associate, then prepare yourself to spend additional time learning your new team and goals. It is important to make a tangible impact in the first 30-60 days. This may require working some additional hours in the beginning while you are establishing yourself.
• Dress the Part – Whatever the dress code is, dress to the upper region of the range. This will allow you to stand out positively amongst your co-workers.
• Learn Your Industry and Competitors – The sooner you can “talk the talk” the better. Study online, trade journals, and annual reports to learn as much as you can about what your new company does and the opportunities and threats that exist.
• Connect With the Boss – The relationship between a person and their supervisor is crucial to the success of the partnership and the enjoyment of the working experience. Spend time with your boss both within the work setting and also at lunch to better understand his or her needs and wants. Understand what lines of communication work and how he or she would like you to manage up. Don’t allow your supervisor to be blindsided by failing to inform them of something that he or she need to know. Build trust early by proving to be reliable and by producing good work on early projects.
• Understand Office Politics – Stay away from the negative aspects of gossip and backstabbing while gravitating towards understanding who can help you with their expertise and teamwork. Go as far as finding a mentor within the organization to assist you, as long as it does not make your supervisor feel left out.
• Set Goals – Know what you want to accomplish in the first 30-60-90 days in your new role. Create a plan to reach your goals and work towards it immediately.
• Show Your Listening Skills – Early on, you will want to learn as much as possible. It is easier to do this by asking the right questions and doing a lot of listening. Even if you may think you know where you want to lead your team, avoid speaking endlessly regarding how you used to do it. Instead, listen to fully understand how it is done now and conclude what is the best practice.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help – This could be either from your supervisor, a co-worker or mentor. If you do not know something or find yourself moving a little too fast, then ask for some assistance before you ruin that positive first impression you have made.
It is so exciting to be starting a new job, especially if it is one that you really wanted and longed for. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your work is now done, as it has really just begun. Review the tips above to determine what you need to do in order to ensure success in your new role.
As always, best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of WNYJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein
WNY Human Resources Professional
Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at:
Joe Stein
