The prospect of starting a new job is exciting, but it’s also daunting. There’s a lot to do in the first month: finding your way around the building, learning the process of your new position (or maybe 8 processes), appearing competent when you’re not, and getting to know people. It’s a lot to take on, but it’s important to take things in stride. The last thing you want to do is start a new job with high expectations and then be disappointed when it doesn’t live up to them.
The first thing you can do to prepare for this is by having a good understanding of what your manager expects of you in the role, and then establishing clear goals with them during your initial meeting. This will help you to stay focused and give you a sense of direction at a time when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
During the interview, it’s important to clearly communicate your strengths and experience in ways that are relevant to your new job. One of the best ways to do this is by preparing your talking points ahead of time. This means reading the job description, matching your experiences to some of the requirements listed, and creating a list of specific examples that you can use to answer questions during the interview.
It’s also helpful to do some research on your own, particularly if you’re not sure what to expect from a company. You can do this by checking out the company’s website and social media channels, as well as reading reviews from current and former employees on platforms like Glassdoor. This will provide you with a better sense of what to expect from the culture and environment at the company, which can be a huge factor in your overall happiness.
When someone asks how your new job is going, it’s important to be honest but also positive. Depending on who is asking, this can be a great opportunity to discuss your long-term career goals with your new employer or just to share an accomplishment that you’re proud of.
While you may meet your immediate team during the course of your first day or two, it’s a good idea to make a point to introduce yourself to other departments as soon as possible. This will help you build connections across the organization and find out how your roles intersect with each other. It’s important to build relationships with as many people as possible, and this will help you to be a more effective employee.
It’s important to remember that it takes time to adjust to a new job, and you should be patient with yourself. If you’re struggling to adjust, talk to your supervisor or HR director about it. They will be able to give you advice and guidance for how to improve in the future. Just don’t tell anyone, even your friends at work, that you don’t enjoy the job – it’ll just put them in an awkward position!