Your new job starts next week and you’re eager to get off to a
great start. You want to make a great first impression, get
integrated into the new company’s culture, and learn their way
of doing business as efficiently as you can. And, of course,
there’s much more. Where to start? Here are a few ideas:
1. Get plenty of rest the week before. You are going to be
processing a lot of new information next week. The more alert
and ready you are for what comes at you, the faster and better
you will learn what you need to learn to be successful. Plan
your time before and after work carefully. Avoid over-
scheduling, plan frequent breaks and map out essential errands
like stocking the fridge and getting to the dry cleaner.
2. Bring a notebook. Preferably one with numbered pages. Put
your name and other contact information prominently in the front.
Leave the first few pages free for a table of contents. Write
down everything you learn, notes to yourself, or things you want
to remember. Keep good notes and review your notes at the end of
each day. Carry it with you and don’t be shy about taking notes
wherever you can. A chance conversation can turn into a goldmine
of information you’ll want to write down. "Discreetly jot down
the names you learn with a note that will help you remember the
person’s name," suggests Debbie Segnit, a Business Analyst at
Chubb Insurance.
3. Hope for the best and be prepared for anything. Until you get
to your new job, it may be hard to predict how well your new
employer will be prepared for your arrival. The important thing
is to take whatever comes at you with grace, good humor, and
efficiency. Companies vary widely in the sophistication of their
new-employee process. One thing’s for certain, even if they do a
bad job of bringing you on-board, you are responsible for your
success. Your best interpersonal skills will be needed to get
yourself settled in this new strange place.
4. Prepare a list of business questions to ask your boss, peers
and subordinates. By asking the same questions, you will
get a lot of information and start to understand everyone’s
perspective. These questions will evolve as you gain knowledge.
5. Bring a nametag you can put on your desk. This will help
people get to know you faster and will help them recognize your
name when they see you. Bring a few small things to put on your
desk that could help people start a conversation with you on
topics you are comfortable with.
6. It’s never too early to do some "personal branding." Prepare
a few talking points you want to have people know about you that
you can weave into conversation with new co-workers. This can
provide subtle support: imagine what a co-worker would say
about you to another person that would help you be successful.
Talking points are best stated positively and are work-related.
A few examples: "fifteen years in the industry," "built a program
like this at Acme from scratch," "Just out of grad school and
knows the very latest design theory."
7. This is a chance to "reinvent" some aspect of yourself.
Consider the following possibilities: stop using your maiden
name, start using hyphenated last name, give up nick-name at
work, change hair color or style, and upgrade your wardrobe.
8. Be flexible. This is not your old job and some of what worked
there won’t work here. Over prepare whenever you can. Try to
meet with your boss at least once in the first week to start to
understand their expectations.
9. Use the New guy/gal rule. "People will be more likely to help
you in the beginning of your job than at any other time," advises
Chris Lackey, a Sales Executive at Dimension Data. "Reach out to
people with expertise when you are doing something for the first
time and take good notes on what they tell you." Most people will
be flattered to be asked. You will have a custom-made job aid to
use for the next time and a new friend. Be generous with your
thanks and cautious about making the same request for the same
information.
10. Plan something with your family for next weekend. Remember,
your family is going through a transition, too. Your first week
at the new job will go better with something fun and relaxing to
look forward to when this week is over.
11. Get a Coach! OK, I couldn’t resist adding this one. Why a
coach? The short answer is that especially for the critical
first months at the beginning of a new assignment, a coach can
be enormously helpful. A recent study showed that over 95% of
coaching clients were very or extremely happy with the coaching
experience.
"Time spent preparing for the first week in a new job is an
excellent investment," says Donna Timpone of UserEdge Technical
Personnel. "First impressions you make help build momentum and
success."
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