Image courtesy of laura dye’s photostream
It’s hard being the new person. Whether you’re coming in as an experienced veteran in your field or if you’re just starting out your career, it’s unnerving to start on a new path with a different company and co-workers. Although this can be a stressful time for anyone, there are some ways to make the transition a little easier on you and your new co-workers. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re starting fresh at a new job:
1. Don’t get too overwhelmed: It takes time to adjust. You’re not only starting a new job; you’re getting a new group people to work with, a new building, and a new way of doing things. That’s a lot of change to get used to all at once and it’s going to take time to figure out exactly how the printer works or where the conference rooms are. Don’t get too worried if you’re not catching on as quickly as you’d like to, it just takes time.
2. Get to know your new colleagues: It’s inevitable; you’re going to be spending a lot of time with these people. It’s important to be open minded and cordial to your new co-workers; after all, at some point they were new too. The quicker you get to know them, the easier it’ll be to ask for help, which brings me to my next point…
3. Ask for help when you need it: Like I said before, you’re going to be dealing with a lot of new things and it’s okay if you need help, or don’t always know how things operate. Asking questions shows that you’re determined to do it right the first time and you don’t want to waste anyone’s time. However, you don’t want to be asking for help with every little thing. Take notes on everything you’re learning; it’ll not only help you remember tasks to begin with, but it’ll give you a reference point in the future when you hit a bump.
4. Finally, Pay attention and jump right in!: Anytime you’re starting something new and unfamiliar it’s going to be a little scary, but it’s best to keep focused on what others are teaching you and jump right in and start working. The sooner you get to know the routine at work, the sooner you will start to feel comfortable in your new environment.
Remember, you won’t be the new person forever. Although those first few weeks may seem to crawl by, before you know it you’ll become an expert in your position and someone will be coming to you with questions. If there’s anything to take away from this, it’s to be patient with yourself and be willing to work hard at your new job in order to reach your goals.