The prospect of starting a new job can be daunting and there is a lot of uncertainty that comes with the process. From encountering new colleagues and working in a new environment to having a different set of responsibilities, there’s a fair few challenges to face.
Whether you have just graduated from college or you have 20 years’ experience, entering a new work environment is bound to feel odd. To put you in the best position to hit the ground running, we’ve gathered some handy tips to guide you through this transition in your career.
Get Organized
Before you start your new job it’s a good idea to get all of your finances in order. It’s important that you notify federal, state, and local agencies of your change in job role so that you are being taxed the correct amount. Filling in these forms can be time consuming but essential. However, you can find online, IRS approved, downloadable tax forms which can make this process super easy before, during, and after that initial start period.
Introduce Yourself
While this might seem like an obvious point, being open and friendly to everyone you meet will create the best impression possible. Whether you are a junior member of staff or a more senior hire, introducing yourself and knowing who your colleagues are will make the transition into your role as smooth as possible. The average person spends much of their lives in the workplace, so having good relationships with your colleagues will make work that much more enjoyable. This takes us handily to the next point – as once you have made those initial introductions, asking those all-important questions will become even easier.
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues questions, no matter how insignificant or silly you deem them to be it is always better to know. Most of the time people will be happy to answer them too – it shows an interest and a willingness to learn. Thinking of your first 90 days at your new job as an extension of your interview can be a great motivator to establish credibility and build influence – asking questions will only help this. Work questions are also great ice breakers too – allowing you to do the important work of introducing yourself as mentioned above. You can read more about the importance of those first few days here at forbes.com.
Don’t Stress
Although this period of transition in your life can seem overwhelming and somewhat daunting, it is important that you do not create unnecessary stress for yourself. Being organized will positively contribute to this and allow you to hit the ground running. Elizabeth Scott at verywellmind.com has some great tips for minimizing new job stress – including some of the things we’ve mentioned above but also little exercises you can use and the importance of your hobbies in giving you something else to focus on.
Remember that most people will have been in your situation before and starting a new job will always be unsettling. A study reported by Debut notes that it takes most people about three months before they’re in a position where they feel ‘authentic’ at work – and for 22% of people it can be nine months. That can be tricky if you’ve moved from an environment where you knew all your co-workers and were an established part of the team – but just don’t be hard on yourself if that chemistry isn’t there instantly. It’ll take time, be patient.
Make an effort to remove any organizational stresses from your personal life too by planning how you’ll get to and from your new place of work and through creating reliable childcare arrangements that allow you to throw yourself into your new job without having to worry about what is going on elsewhere.
Ask for Feedback
Most employers will provide you with regular feedback, however, it can be very beneficial to proactively seek some in your first few weeks of starting your new job. Don’t be shy – or too proud. There are going to be things that you don’t get right in these early days and it’s only through constructive feedback that you’ll be able to identify and correct these things at the earliest possible opportunity.
With that feedback, a conscious effort not to pile too much stress on yourself, plenty of questions, and a positive commitment to introduce yourself you’ll be up and running in your new job in no time at all.
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