Word on the street is you got a new job! Congratulations!
I know you’ll feel more confident starting your new job if you spend some time preparing for this transition. Here are some tips to help you start off strong:
- Do your homework before jumping in
Sometimes (and especially for bigger companies who are often very transparent about company culture and employee experience) you’ll be able to find company videos, YouTube channels or even TikTok pages of employees talking about their experiences and showing off their office space. It might also be helpful for you to read blogs, forums, or even browse through Q&As on websites like glassdoor. If none of these are helpful to you, you can always ask a friend or reach out to someone on LinkedIn to get a better idea of an average day for someone on your team, or the general dress code for your office - both of which can help you to prepare for your first day.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions & smile!
You’ll enjoy your time at your new job a lot more if you like being around your coworkers.
Smiling, being genuinely interested and showing it by not being afraid to ask questions can go a long way to ensure you get started on the right foot. It’s kind of like dating in a sense - everyone wants to be around someone who makes them smile and makes an effort to get to know them. Ultimately, it's important to note that making connections (or better yet, making friends!) at work can be just as important as being good at your job.
3. Get used to saying yes (at least for a little while)
Give yourself a few days of grace because we know onboarding can be stressful and starting something new can be overwhelming. But, as the newest addition to your team, I would encourage you to say yes to coffee chats, lunch outings, to volunteering on a new project/initiative, or anything else that comes your way (use your own personal judgement, of course). This is a good way to get to know others around the office, and is also a great way to demonstrate your willingness to help/learn and be agreeable.
Bonus: Offer your helping hand wherever you can! Teamwork makes the dream work!
4. Seek Support
We’ve already talked about how important it is to make connections and get to know others at work. Use this time to find a mentor or “buddy” that can support and guide you through any ups and downs you encounter within your role. There’s a pretty good chance that this person has already been in your shoes and encountered the same thing, so they might have some good advice that can help you to succeed.
5. Listen Twice as much as you Talk
This kind of ties back to not being afraid to ask questions. It’s important to take in as much information as possible! Remember to listen and take notes - you won’t be new forever so use this learning opportunity to your advantage.
Congratulations again on being a new hire! The hardest part is over and you should be so proud of that!
Now all that’s left for you to do is make a great first impression and be the best employee you can be! Go get ‘em!