10 Tips For Transitioning to a New Job

Congratulations on the new job! While this can be an exciting time in a person’s life, it can also be a stressful one. Learning new skills, figuring out your role and developing new relationships can be difficult, especially while trying to impress your new colleagues and bosses.

Don’t get too worked up though—there are ways to help ease the stress. Here are 10 tips for transitioning into a new job:

1.    Don’t be late! You’ll never have a second chance to make a first impression, and being late on your first day is a pretty bad one. This may seem obvious, but you never know what may come up that first morning. Be sure to test drive your route in advance, or if you’re using public transportation, make sure you know the schedule. And give yourself a little extra time that first morning—there’s nothing wrong with being early or arriving similarly to when your boss or colleagues are arriving. Doing so may allow you some quick morning chatter to express your interest in their day, as well to also understand what’s expected of you as the newbie. 

2.    Learn the company culture. Before your first day, get in touch with someone at the company and ask them any questions about company culture that didn’t come up during the interview process. Knowing things like dress codes, whether people bring their lunch or go out, and if you’ll need headphones will prepare you for your first day and potentially save you some embarrassment.

3.    Take notes. You’ll likely have a lot of information thrown your way the first few days on the job. Make sure that you have pen and paper ready so that you can write down anything you may need to know. This will save you from having to ask your boss a lot of questions and show that you care about doing your job well. Also, take mental notes of office norms, such as how your coworkers’ work areas are set up, communication patterns or how people interact with your boss. This will help you fit into the office environment.

4.    Get into a routine. Starting a new job is no easy task. There are innumerable new things to learn, new people to get to know and possibly a new city to get accustomed to. Finding a routine early on can help ease your stress and get you into the swing of things. A routine can also help you prioritize your work duties while you’re still learning the job.

5.    Set goals. It’s important to set goals for yourself early on in the new job. First, ask yourself what the end goal is for the job. Are you looking to get a promotion and move your way up the company ladder? Is it a stepping stone to bigger and better things? Once you determine what you want to get out of the job, set tangible short and long-term goals that will help you get there.

6.    Get to know your colleagues. Interacting with your coworkers not only can lead to new friendships, but it can also help ease your transition. Your colleagues will be your best resource in learning the ways of the office, and building camaraderie will improve teamwork. Also, your coworkers will be your biggest networking connections, so building positive relationships could help you down the road.

7.    Be vocal, but not too vocal. While it is important to participate early on in your new job, as it shows that you’re proactive and engaged in the company, be careful not to be too vocal. Being overly critical of workplace processes or procedures early on can place you on your colleagues’ bad side. Listen more than talk early on, and as you gain more respect feel free to offer suggestions.

8.    Talk with your boss. It is critical to establish a line of communication with your boss early on in your new job. Make sure that you know exactly what they expect from you so that you can deliver and impress. Communicating consistently with your boss also builds a good rapport, creating a strong relationship.

9.    Find a mentor. There may be times where you need advice from someone experienced, but you aren’t comfortable going to your boss. This is where a mentor can be helpful. Seek someone out in the company who you admire and respect and stop by to talk to them. Oftentimes they will be more than willing to share their experiences and offer advice.

10.    Be positive. The first few weeks or months of your job will be tough. Know that going in, and try to look past the negatives and focus on the positives. Don’t hesitate to pat yourself on the back when you succeed. Maintaining a positive attitude and showing enthusiasm will not only make you feel better, but it will also increase others’ confidence in you.

Transitioning to a new job can be tough—it’s never fun to be the “new kid” in town. But maintaining a positive attitude, listening and communicating can help you settle into a routine.