You’ve busted your butt for much longer than you ever could have imagined in finding your new job. After multiple interviews that didn’t pan out, rejections, and the silence of non-responses from countless submissions, you finally landed a gig! Whether it’s the job of your dreams, a stopover on the way to something bigger and better in your chosen career, or just a job to pay the bills and keep food on the table, congratulations! You got the job. But what happens next?

 

Depending on the environment where you’ll be working, and whether your new to the world of employment, or a season veteran making a change, several scenarios are possible:

 

You could be asked to hit the ground running, and expected to be fully up-to-speed almost immediately. The higher up you are in any company’s pecking order, the less hand-holding you’ll receive on a new gig. Many employers will expect you to be productive from day one. While often an unrealistic expectation, it is frequently the norm. If you clearly understand the employer’s expectations for your position, and know your responsibilities, go ahead and show the bosses what you can do. Excel at the work you were hired to perform, and exceed the employer’s hopes for having selected you over countless others to fill that role and grow with their company.

 

In most situations, however, there will likely be an acclimation period, official or otherwise, when you will be on-boarded. Someone (hopefully) will be assigned to show you around, to help you become familiar with the place and space, the people and resources. As a new hire, you may be assigned to shadow another employee to help familiarize you with everything. It’s a good look-n-learn opportunity to be with another worker who has been in exactly the same place you are now.

 

Within the first day or two there’s a good chance you’ll be required to dive headfirst into a large volume of administrative paperwork (or computer input) where you’ll fill out and sign tax forms, retirement plans, income withholding or disbursement, insurance, and any legal forms like employment agreements/contracts, or NDA’s if required. Yes, it’s an annoyingly time-consuming ritual, but thankfully when you’re done, you’re done.

 

It’s always a good idea early in your employ to spend some time with the most senior of the department heads with whom you’ll be working. This will be your opportunity to better understand their expectations of your responsibilities, and the outcomes they are hoping you and your department will achieve. It’s also a good opportunity for relationship building. You’ll get to observe leadership and subordinates, see how well they work together, talk to each other. You might be able to detect who is lighthearted and good-natured, as well as potentially pick up on their stresses and operational concerns. Doing so will give you a fuller picture of this new environment, the people who occupy it, and how they deal with things on a daily basis.

 

Should you keep your head down and mouth shut during the first few weeks on a new job? Not necessarily! The speed at which business happens today necessitates that new hires be active from day one. This isn’t to suggest you become a nuisance to anyone, imposing unsolicited advice or instructions. Yet, there’s no need to be intimidated if you want to ask questions, confirm processes or learn coworkers’ reasons for doing things the way they do. If you think you know a better way to execute something, before offering your own ideas, tactfully ask what other methods they’ve tried. They may have already considered what you were going to suggest.  But maybe you can offer to brainstorm together to discuss the problems they want to solve. Two heads are better than one!

 

If your work load remains light while you get your bearings, offer to help someone complete tasks. You’re not necessarily demonstrating what you can do, as much as being helpful and making a productive contribution. Doing so will give your coworkers the impression that you are willing to participate, that you are open to getting to know them, and projecting that you have a genuine interest in the machinations of the job, department and company. It doesn’t matter if the task is mundane or repetitive. But it does matter that you are getting involved, making connections and contributions.

 

Before starting the job, new hires should do a deep dive into the business’ history, reputation, and industry standing. Get to know the company’s public persona through their social media accounts. Look in industry-specific trade publication sites and other online repositories of news related to the industry for mentions of the company and its principals. Read the good and the bad, learn how the company dealt with any major issues, and watch out for any red flags. Awareness and understanding of a company’s goals and mission, even if it’s just their public profiles, can help a new hire find the right mind-set and focus to best accomplish expected tasks and contend with unexpected challenges. It also provides a peek into the potential reach of your contributions. How far will the work you do ripple?

 

However you spend those first few days on a new job, whether it’s shadowing a coworker or jumping in and trying to make an impact from the outset, do it with an open mind. Be receptive to how things are done, note who takes the lead on projects and at meetings, and get yourself ready to make an impression.  Ultimately, what happens next is really up to you.

 

#     #     #