Whether it’s relocation, a new career direction or simply a change of employer, it will always be daunting beginning a new role. For this edition of the Working Well blog I’ll be talking about some things that you should be sure to do in those crucial first months in your new job. 

As a new employee, the first six months can be critical to your success within a company. This is the time when your peers will be getting to know you, both personally and professionally. Enduring opinions will be formed about you and I hope that these simple things will help you to create the right impression and build a great new career.

Speak up 

I don’t mean be a chatterbox, and definitely don’t join in with gossip. Do make sure you get out and about in your new environment and speak to everybody (not just those in your own team or department.) Speaking to employees from different areas helps you to paint a better picture of the company as a whole. Stop and listen to what things are really like, this can present opportunities for possible improvements, that you can be involved in further down the line.

Remember what you were taken on for

What was your ‘number one thing’, the reason you were chosen for the role? The company recognised a need for this role, choosing you as the most suitable person to do it. Don’t forget why you are there, and keep asking yourself if you are adding value to the role. This is the time where you need to show your worth. Avoid letting anything distract you from your main purpose.

Always make sure that you get feedback

Even negative feedback is better than none as all. Receiving frank and candid feedback on how you’re performing is the best way to keep doing good things well and improve elsewhere. Simply ask what is going well and what could be done better. When you get the answer, take the feedback in good spirit and build on it.

Make time to get to know your team

You can only ever be as good as the team around you, so invest time getting to know the people you work with, find out each individuals competencies and areas of expertise. Find out what they’re best at and try to tap into this. Don’t try to compete with your new colleagues, instead try and help them get what they want from their roles, and you will be paid back with interest.

Quickly learn the businesses culture

However able you may be, if you don’t share the same values as your new employer then you will never “fit in.” Get to understand what the company values, what behaviours do they recognise and reward and which behaviours are frowned upon or criticised. By knowing these you’re able to steer yourself on a path which more closely matches with theirs.

Keep positive and fresh 

There’s never going to be another time in this role where you are as motivated as these first 6 months. List the things you really enjoy about the business, the people and the products or services provided. Go back to this list if you hit a tough time at work, remind yourself what inspired you to join in the first place. 

Maintain that initial energy

You'll throw yourself into your new job to start with, which is great, but make sure you don’t burn out. Outside the work place make time to go to the gym, or simply try to walk more. These won’t just keep (or improve) your stamina, exercise helps you clear your head and allows thinking time off the job.

Remember to have fun

Try and keep smiling when work gets tough, the sooner the difficult stuff is done you can go back to doing the things you like best.  Appreciate your situation and take on tasks with a light heart and enthusiasm.

Think like the boss

Take ownership of your work. Think like the boss, look for potential solutions to issues and give your boss your intentions with reasons why you are going to do something, rather than keep looking for instructions.