To make a good impression in your new role, abide by these six simple rules.
Congratulations – you’ve landed a new job and are fast approaching your first day at work. This is your opportunity to make a strong first impression but don’t forget, how you start a new job will likely set the tone for your career. The following tips will help you settle in but remember, you were hired for a reason so approach your new role with confidence and passion.
Rule #1 Build trust
Trust is one of the most important elements in strong working relationships. It is hard earned, but the process of building trust with your colleagues starts on day one. Avoid the urge to demonstrate your skills in the early days, as this might be perceived as arrogance or excessive zealousness. Instead, focus on informing yourself. Ask questions about processes and procedures, and encourage new colleagues to share their expertise. You have a limited opportunity to learn the ropes before you get bogged down in ‘business as usual’ so meet as many people within the organisation as possible and show your enthusiasm to learn from them.
Also, a little praise goes a long way so if some tells you about their role in a successful project, congratulate them on an impressive job.
Rule #2 Embrace your new surroundings
Each organisation has its own unique culture and way of doing things. The differences might be subtle, but they’re there. Enhance your chances of settling in well with colleagues by respecting their culture and way of working – observe and understand their processes, even if you think they could be improved. You can of course suggest improvements over time, but it’s best to do that when you are an embedded member of the team. Doing so on your first day or week of work might make you appear as a pushy know-it-all.
Also, avoid referring to your previous employer on a regular basis. A new colleague who talks constantly about their old boss, team or organisation could be perceived as being unable or unwilling to fit in to their new environment.
Rule #3 What is expected of you?
Clarity on this point will help both you and your line manager, so take the time to arrange regular one-to-one meetings. At the outset, you will need to discuss what success looks like in the first month, three months and six months. Having this discussion with your boss will also ensure that your efforts are aligned with the organisation’s corporate goals and feed into your team’s overall efforts.
It’s also wise to identify quick wins at this stage, so you can demonstrate your ability to deliver in the early days of your career. They don’t need to revolutionise the business – a quick win simply demonstrates that you have the ability to think strategically and get the right things done. Go the extra mile early and often.
It is also useful to speak with your manager at this stage about her or his preferred communication style – whether that’s updates by email or a quick chat at the desk. If you make the working life of your boss easier while meeting clear and agreed expectations, you’ll be on the right track.
Rule #4 Ask questions
As mentioned earlier, this is your best opportunity to learn, and there’s a lot you need to understand about an organisation before you begin adding value for your employer. The nuts and bolts of your role are probably the most obvious, but you will also need to understand more complex issues such as the culture of the organisation and how your colleagues prefer to interact. Even with the best on-boarding programme, the best way to learn and build trust is to ask questions.
Spot the high performers and lean on them for insights and advice. It doesn’t demonstrate ignorance or a lack of understanding; it instead shows that you are enthusiastic and keen to learn from the best in the business, so don’t shy away from it.
Also, identify at least one colleague you have an immediate rapport with and refer to them for everyday queries. This will save you disturbing your manager for a reminder on how to work the printer, for example.
Rule #5 Keep your focus
When you are in your work environment, you should demonstrate your value at every opportunity. Avoid silly but costly errors like spending time texting on your smartphone or checking personal emails on your desktop and instead use every opportunity to your advantage.
Use lunchbreaks to network with peripheral members of the team if the culture permits; put your hand up for specialist projects that will position you as someone with a can-do, proactive attitude; show a willingness to develop your skill set and stretch your professional capabilities. Also, get enough sleep. It might sound simplistic but the pressure of personal life, commuting, acclimatising to a new working environment and so on can be stressful.
Unnecessary fatigue can greatly increase your stress levels while simultaneously devastating your concentration levels. So use your evenings wisely, relax and get a good night’s sleep.
Rule #6 Keep in touch
Whether you are a recently qualified accountant or an experienced professional, you will likely have former colleagues or acquaintances who could help you along your professional journey – particularly in the early days of a new role. Meet trusted advisors, who may well turn out to be potential mentors, to discuss your progress and challenges over a casual coffee. It is highly probable that they will understand your situation and may be able to impart some useful advice and help you overcome any problems. Former colleagues are also a great source of moral support, as they are aware of your skills and capabilities. Sometimes, particularly when things don’t seem to be moving in the right direction, a quick chat with the right person can put everything into perspective.
For more career advice and information, download your copy of Career Guide 2016 today.