7 Success Rules – Navigating the Road in Your New Role

by Debra Wheatman on Oct 22, 2010 in Career Advice

Looking for a new job takes plenty of work, planning, and a lot of focus. When you get that shiny new job you are probably going to encounter some additional challenges; nothing that you cannot overcome, of course. Starting a new job has its hurdles, too. Despite the amount of research you have done and the questions you asked, despite meeting several people over the course of what was a grueling eight-week period, you still don’t really know what to expect. How could you? You have never worked in this new environment. Likely you have gotten a sense of the people; but the true immersion lesson will begin on your first day. Here are some things to help you get along and go along the yellow brick road to a successful and productive new endeavor:

• Do more listening than talking. It is amazing what you will learn by simply listening to what other people say, how they interact, and how they interact with each other.
• Ask questions. Remember, you are the newbie. It’s ok to ask questions. Keep notes. Likely there will be a lot of information you need to absorb. Keeping notes will allow to quickly get your footing and begin contributing.
• Offer assistance. Demonstrate that you are willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. You will get to know your colleagues and begin to establish rapport.
• Don’t reference “How we did it there.” How your former company handled the same or similar work is not important here. If it was so great there, you wouldn’t have moved on. Keep that information under your hat. If you did something for your previous employer that worked, by all means suggest it, without referencing that you did it elsewhere.
• Be reliable. Make sure you show up on time and learn the ‘rules of the road’. If you know that people generally arrive early, don’t show up 15 minutes late. As they say, “When in Rome…”
• Embrace Change. Working in a new environment is change! You will need to feel the love for a while as you learn about the culture and overall environment. Now is the time to employ as much flexibility as you can, which will help you assimilate faster.
• Be social. Socializing with you counterparts is an important part of the on-boarding process. Your co-workers will be your support system during your tenure (and sometimes beyond). They can also help you achieve your goals.

It takes time to get settled into a new role; so don’t worry if you are feeling unbalanced for a while. It can take a few months to build confidence and security. Once you get going, you will be poised to make a lasting and positive contribution.

Debra Wheatman

CPRW, CPCC and President of Careers Done Write, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career road maps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries. Visit careersdonewrite.com to learn more.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook