So You’ve Started a New Job
3 minute read
First of all, congratulations!! Whether this was an easy decision or a difficult one, you've made a big move! Let's get you set up for success.
After a decade of tenure, I decided to take a new job - here are some key lessons I've learned through that transition. Want to talk through your own transition? Book time with us!
Prepare to be humbled. You just left a job where you likely knew everyone: how they made decisions, what was important to them, their sense of humor, their names!! Now you're in a new job and everything is new and unfamiliar. You don't know anything anymore and the way you operated in your old role may not work here. These things take time!
Gain trust fast! You're new, you're starting with a fresh reputation and people are trying to figure you out - find easy wins! I often think about my trust bank. Every interaction and easy win makes a deposit in my account with that person. I want to make as many deposits as possible because one day I may need to make a withdrawal and I need to make sure I have enough capital in the bank. How do you find easy wins? Do what you say you're going to do, when you say you're going to do it. Follow through and communicate, communicate, communicate!
Meet as many people as you can. Try to meet as many people as you can, as casually and genuinely as possible. If it's a planned meeting, prepare ahead of time. See how long they've worked at the company, what their position is and what their work history is like from LinkedIn. Ask them about themselves and about the company. What do they like best about working here? What made them choose this company? Start making genuine connections.
Humanize yourself. Consider how much of your personal life you are comfortable sharing at work and be open with that information. Especially if you are in a leadership position, people want to know that you're human, that you have a life outside of work, and that you're relatable!
Work to understand company norms. Start asking questions about how information is typically shared (over chat, email, video call, in person etc). Ask how decisions are made, how people collaborate with each other, who people go to when they need help. Ask multiple people and see what you learn!
Take copious, organized notes - emphasis on organized! If you're like me, you'll take great and detailed notes and then not be able to find anything. Keep your notes organized by topic with the exception of process. Keep all of your processes in one place. I like to use OneNote - need help setting your OneNote up for success, book time with us!
Ask smart questions. Don't spin your wheels, but do your research before asking questions. Make sure you understand why you're asking the question and whether or not you have access to information to answer the question for you. The difference may seem subtle, but speaks volumes to who you are as an employee.
Consider these two examples:
“Can you help me find this file?”
“I noticed all client files are located here and sorted by business type, and then alphabetically by last name. I'm looking for this file and struggling to find it - can you help me understand what I'm missing?”
Can you see the difference?Be you! Cliche, I know. But the company hired you because they felt you would be a great addition to the team. Now go do your best and always remember to be yourself!
Starting a new job? Reach out to let us help you create a game plan to crush it!
