Congratulations – you have the job!
These are thrilling words to hear, especially if you have been through a long and complex recruitment process. Obtaining a new position can be exciting, yet nerve wracking. It can often mean meeting a fresh set of colleagues, adapting to a different culture, and absorbing a lot of information. Your first three months in a new permanent job can define how successful your journey with your new employer will be. So, here’s our guide on how to make a great first impression in a new job.
Before you start
As your start date approaches, it’s time to think about your attire for your first few weeks in your new role. As a guide, wear something similar to what you wore during your interviews. Once you are in the role you will be able to gauge the dress code and expectations at your new organisation. It’s also advisable to investigate your various transport options and timetables if you will be commuting via public transport. You don’t want to miss your bus stop and be late on your first day.
Starting a new role will often feel strange and different. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and anxious in the early days – give yourself time to settle in. Remember when you started your last position? You didn’t know the whole team, the systems or daily tasks right away but eventually you did. Be kind to yourself!
Get Familiar with Your New Employer
Adapting to a new team environment can be difficult when you’re the newest employee on the block. However, start by observing how your team communicates and how decisions are made. Although you’ll be in a good position to put your fresh perspective and ideas forward, you should wait until adequate time has passed and you’ve built rapport with your team before making any suggestions.
If you work for a larger employer, you should aim to make connections outside of your immediate team. Understanding who the key company stakeholders are can help you settle in and excel in the new role.
Get to Know Your New Role
Be sure to make use of the handover period if you are fortunate to have one. A handover period will enable you to understand your role better and help absorb important information about the company, its culture, and employees from your predecessor.
Taking notes during the handover period is extremely beneficial as this will serve as a guide should you become stuck later, particularly if you’re going to be working autonomously. You should also ask your predecessor if they had any pain points during their role and whether they had any ideas on how to resolve them. Not only will your transcripts enhance your performance but they will also give the impression that you are taking the role seriously, focused and keen to learn.
Build Rapport with Your New Manager
An integral part of being successful in a new role is understanding what is expected of you in the weeks and months to come. After starting your job, the first meeting between you and your manager will be an ideal time to identify these expectations, but don’t be afraid to ask for clarity and advice on how to reach these targets.
Regular meetings with your manager will also help you get a quick understanding of their preferred management style but be open with them on how you prefer to be managed. For example, if your manager is keen to give you autonomy in your role and hasn’t set any goals and you prefer to have targets to work towards, then create these goals yourself and ask your manager to go through them together. This will ensure you are both on the same page and create the impression that you want success for both the business and yourself.
Ask Lots of Questions
Even with a wealth of knowledge in your field, getting to grips with a new job can be challenging. You won’t be expected to have all of the answers but asking questions will show that you are devoted and eager to learn. Ensure you listen attentively to all of the information given to you and don’t be afraid to ask for clarity if necessary. Asking questions, if done correctly, will reduce the margin for error and in turn set you up for success in a more productive workplace.
Wishing you all the best with your new position as you write the next chapter of your career story!