Starting a new job: your first few weeks

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In the first article in the series we looked at a few of the things you could do before starting a new job to get things off to a flying start. This week we take a look at some things you can do over your first few days, weeks and months to help you settle in and become a valued member of your new team quickly.

• Pleased to meet you: in an ideal world the person you report to on your first day will introduce you to everyone on your new team. If not, don’t sit back and wait for people to come to you – be proactive and introduce yourself. And don’t forget to smile!
• Question everything: don’t be afraid to ask questions. When you start a new job you’ll have a lot more questions than answers. Remember that the only stupid question is the one that remains unasked. The quicker you can fill the gaps in your knowledge, the more confident and productive you’ll become.
• The induction is your friend: formal inductions are usually part of the HR process in larger organisations. In smaller companies this varies, but you should make sure you get some kind of induction into the company, your new job and exactly what it entails. If there’s no formal induction programme in your organisation, try asking if you can shadow someone else on the team for half a day – you’ll learn much more than you will trying to work things through on your own.

• Look, listen and learn: watch and listen to everything and everyone for your first few weeks. Try and establish who’s who in the social as well as the organisational hierarchy. Pay attention to the organisational grapevine, but resist the temptation to contribute to it. The last thing you want is to get a reputation early on as a gossip monger.
• You can make a difference: the very fact that you’re new means you’re seeing things from a fresh perspective – and therein lies an opportunity. If you see areas where things could be done more effectively, or where the company could achieve greater efficiency, try tactfully suggesting these changes. It can be a great way to make an impact early on – just make sure you get buy-in from others before taking your ideas to your boss.
• They want you: whenever self-doubt rears its head – and it will rear its head – try and remember that your employer chose you over everyone else in the recruitment process for a reason. You bring a unique blend of talent and experience to your new role. Your employer believes you’re the best person for the job – it’s time you did too!
• Broaden your horizons: while getting to know your immediate team and department is the obvious priority, as you settle in try and build business relationships with people in other parts of the organisation too. It will make things easier when your work overlaps, and give you a better understanding of what’s happening across the business.
• Don’t be shy: while you don’t want to be seen as too pushy or forward, you do need to let people know who you are and what you’re doing. The workplace is no place for false modesty – you want people to know about the positive contributions you’re making right from the start.

Most of all, try to relax and fit in. The first few weeks of a new job are more about building relationships and adapting to change than they are about actually doing the job. Be friendly, flexible and open, apply a bit of common sense, and before you know it everything will start falling into place.

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