Are you about to start a new job? Congratulations. Unlike many other jobs, you get to decide what tasks you want to take on and the pace at which you do them. While everyone will give you a welcome speech and tell you how great it'll be, not many people will say what to do after that. So we're saying it here. Your first day might seem like an eternity — as each minute seems to tick by slower than the one before it — but it flies by! The next thing you know, someone is asking you if you have any questions to which you have zero answers. Kicking off your new job with an unanswered question isn't the way to go, so we've created this collection of tips aimed at helping you get off on the right foot.
What Should You Do When Starting a New Job?
Here are five things to do when getting started:
Starting a new job can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Get Clarity
The first thing to do when starting a new job is getting clarity on what you’re expected to do and how you’ll be evaluated. Be sure to ask questions if there are any ambiguities in this process so that you have a clear understanding of what is expected of you. If you don’t know what’s expected of you, then it’s hard to know if you’re doing a good job or not!
Learn Your Coworkers
In addition to getting clarity on your role, it’s also important to get familiar with your coworkers. They can be an invaluable resource when you need help or want advice about anything related to work. Plus, they will likely become some of your closest friends outside of work so it’s important that everyone gets along well!
Set Healthy Boundaries
It is essential to have healthy boundaries at work. This means setting up rules that protect your health and happiness while still letting your employer know what they can expect from you as an employee.
For example: If your boss asks you to stay late every night this week because there is so much work to do, tell them that you can stay until 7 pm but no later than that so that you can spend time with your family in the evening.
Ask for feedback
Be open to criticism and feedback from your manager and colleagues, especially if it's constructive. Being able to learn from past mistakes is key to success in any job. You may even be surprised by how willing people are to help you succeed once they know you're open to their advice.
Make yourself indispensable
Make yourself indispensable. This can mean doing things like taking initiative and volunteering for projects or tasks that no one else seems interested in. It can also mean making sure that your coworkers always have access to the information and resources they need — whether that means answering questions or helping them find what they're looking for.
The Bottom Line
You might have just fumbled your way through a job interview, or you might have been offered a position right out of college. Either way, you're now starting work at a new job—and that can be an exciting and challenging time. There are plenty of things to do when starting a new job, from building new friendships to prioritizing your tasks. But if you want to ensure that your first few weeks and months go smoothly, it's important to think about what that entails before actually settling into your role.