Been the newbie at work can be tough, tips how to get through this change
Andrea (Anj) Wilkinson
Passionate about Helping People Grow. Qualified Career Coach, NLP & Certified Resume / CV Writer who Develops Winning Resumes & LinkedIn Profiles for Professionals in Australia and New Zealand
Being the newbie at work is always rough, despite it being something we all go through again and again throughout our careers.
On top of learning the day-to-day requirements of your new position and trying to impress your boss, you also have to navigate the intricacies of office politics and making new work friends.
It’s a lot. And it probably feels a little bit like a whirlwind. Whether it’s your first position or your fifth, those first few days on the job can be more than a little intimidating. But with these key rules, you can get comfortable in your new surroundings, get up to speed quickly, and get off on the right foot with your new boss and co-workers.
One of your most important duties your first week is absorbing everything. Getting to know your company’s culture, the working and communication styles of your teammates, the problem projects, office politics, and department or company-wide goals means that you’ll be able to start your real work sooner (and be more effective when you do).
So, go to the new hire orientation, sign up for professional development classes, and attend all the team and office meetings you can, even if you’re not yet sure what’s going on or they don’t 100% pertain to your work. Do be careful, though, to balance your schedule—you want to have plenty of time to learn the ropes from your desk. The last thing you want is to look like you have too much to juggle, seem overwhelmed, or show up late to a commitment because you’re stuck somewhere else.
As you learn about new processes, projects, and people, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You need to get up to speed, and people will expect it from the new person on the team. Also take down detailed notes about everything you learn, even if it seems simple. Your brain is going to be on overload this week, and writing everything down will make sure you don’t have to ask the same question twice.
Read more at https://www.themuse.com/advice/your-guide-to-your-first-week-on-the-job