The only life experience nearly as stressful as being unemployed and looking for a job … is trying to get your feet under you during the first few months of a new job.Your new employer had enough faith in your abilities to bring you on board, but you’re still in a trial phase for at least three months — and it may take you even longer to really feel comfortable in your new role.
Starting out well can set the tone for your entire tenure with a company, so it’s important to employ tactics that will help ensure your success.
Here are 10 strategies that GetFive’s career coaches commonly share with members:
- Begin by expressing gratitude to all the people who helped you get your new job. The average American changes jobs every four years, so odds are you’ll need to talk to them again someday, even if you do well at this job. You need to maintain those connections.
- Wait for at least three months before you start “fixing” things, driving big changes or making grand gestures. You need to learn the system, people and culture first before you can understand the implications of major decisions.
- Be productive immediately. Make sure you’re doing what you were hired to do right away. If you see an unmet need, take steps to fill it.
- Get to know everyone. Take a few minutes each day to walk the halls and meet and greet everyone. Too often, new managers and employees make an effort to meet only the people in their immediate work sphere. But you never know when you’ll need to work with people in a different department, and it will be easier to do if you already know their names.
- Learn the corporate culture so you can avoid personality conflicts. It’s important to understand how things work in your office, how your style will mesh with the habits of those around you, and the company’s expectations.
- Pay attention to your peers; they’re as important to your job success as your boss and subordinates. Listen to them and get to know their abilities, rather than trying to impress them with your own skills. Tap their experience with the company, workload and your boss to help you better understand what you’ll need to do to succeed.
- Begin as you intend to proceed. For example, if you work 12 hours a day during the first three months of a job, chances are good your boss will expect you to keep up that pace. Likewise, if you begin with a reputation for being competitive with your co-workers or undercutting your peers, that’s the behavior everyone will expect from you forever — and they’ll treat you accordingly.
- Establish your own modest and achievable goals. Of course, your boss will set goals for you and your department, but that doesn’t mean you can’t aspire to do more. Perhaps your goal is to learn something new about a co-worker every day, or to do one thing to improve communication between your department and others.
- Create a “hero” file for yourself in which you write down descriptions of all your successes. This is not only spiritually affirming, it’s practical. When it’s time for your three-month review or annual request for a raise, you’ll have “ammunition” to illustrate the great work you’ve done. And, if you do find yourself having to look for another job, you’ll be able to show what you’ve done in this job.
- Continue to manage your career. Hopefully, this job is a great opportunity and you’ll stick with it for a long time. Still, you can’t afford to rest on your laurels. Always be learning, improving your skills and nurturing your marketability. Focus on the big picture of where you want your career to go, and take steps to ensure you stay on track.
