New Job Tips: Starting A New Job Next Week?

Copyright © 2005 David O. Levine

New Manager Coach

http://www.newmanagercoach.com

Your new job starts next week and you’re eager to get off to a

great start. You want to make a great first impression, get

integrated into the new company’s culture, and learn their way

of doing business as efficiently as you can. And, of course,

there’s much more. Where to start? Here are a few ideas:

1. Get plenty of rest the week before. You are going to be

processing a lot of new information next week. The more alert

and ready you are for what comes at you, the faster and better

you will learn what you need to learn to be successful. Plan

your time before and after work carefully. Avoid over-

scheduling, plan frequent breaks and map out essential errands

like stocking the fridge and getting to the dry cleaner.

2. Bring a notebook. Preferably one with numbered pages. Put

your name and other contact information prominently in the front.

Leave the first few pages free for a table of contents. Write

down everything you learn, notes to yourself, or things you want

to remember. Keep good notes and review your notes at the end of

each day. Carry it with you and don’t be shy about taking notes

wherever you can. A chance conversation can turn into a goldmine

of information you’ll want to write down. “Discreetly jot down

the names you learn with a note that will help you remember the

person’s name,” suggests Debbie Segnit, a Business Analyst at

Chubb Insurance.

3. Hope for the best and be prepared for anything. Until you get

to your new job, it may be hard to predict how well your new

employer will be prepared for your arrival. The important thing

is to take whatever comes at you with grace, good humor, and

efficiency. Companies vary widely in the sophistication of their

new-employee process. One thing’s for certain, even if they do a

bad job of bringing you on-board, you are responsible for your

success. Your best interpersonal skills will be needed to get

yourself settled in this new strange place.

4. Prepare a list of business questions to ask your boss, peers

and subordinates. By asking the same questions, you will

get a lot of information and start to understand everyone’s

perspective. These questions will evolve as you gain knowledge.

5. Bring a nametag you can put on your desk. This will help

people get to know you faster and will help them recognize your

name when they see you. Bring a few small things to put on your

desk that could help people start a conversation with you on

topics you are comfortable with.

6. It’s never too early to do some “personal branding.” Prepare

a few talking points you want to have people know about you that

you can weave into conversation with new co-workers. This can

provide subtle support: imagine what a co-worker would say

about you to another person that would help you be successful.

Talking points are best stated positively and are work-related.

A few examples: “fifteen years in the industry,” “built a program

like this at Acme from scratch,” “Just out of grad school and

knows the very latest design theory.”

7. This is a chance to “reinvent” some aspect of yourself.

Consider the following possibilities: stop using your maiden

name, start using hyphenated last name, give up nick-name at

work, change hair color or style, and upgrade your wardrobe.

8. Be flexible. This is not your old job and some of what worked

there won’t work here. Over prepare whenever you can. Try to

meet with your boss at least once in the first week to start to

understand their expectations.

9. Use the New guy/gal rule. “People will be more likely to help

you in the beginning of your job than at any other time,” advises

Chris Lackey, a Sales Executive at Dimension Data. “Reach out to

people with expertise when you are doing something for the first

time and take good notes on what they tell you.” Most people will

be flattered to be asked. You will have a custom-made job aid to

use for the next time and a new friend. Be generous with your

thanks and cautious about making the same request for the same

information.

10. Plan something with your family for next weekend. Remember,

your family is going through a transition, too. Your first week

at the new job will go better with something fun and relaxing to

look forward to when this week is over.

11. Get a Coach! OK, I couldn’t resist adding this one. Why a

coach? The short answer is that especially for the critical

first months at the beginning of a new assignment, a coach can

be enormously helpful. A recent study showed that over 95% of

coaching clients were very or extremely happy with the coaching

experience.

“Time spent preparing for the first week in a new job is an

excellent investment,” says Donna Timpone of UserEdge Technical

Personnel. “First impressions you make help build momentum and

success.”