By Senior Partner Randy Quarin
Starting a new job is an exciting time, but there are also many challenges that come along with it. What you do during those first few days and weeks can largely impact whether you immediately feel like a part of the team or feel like more of an outsider (something that can significantly impact job performance). Here are a few tips to help make the transition into a new role smooth.
1. Make a Great First Impression & Develop Relationships
Take the initiative to introduce yourself to your new co-workers. Try and remember one or two pieces of information about each person you meet and use these as conversation starters in the future to help develop your relationship. Nothing will make a new job seem more enjoyable than if you are able to forge good relationships with your co-workers from the beginning. People who enjoy those that they work with perform better and are happier overall in their jobs.
2. Set the Tone
It’s simply human nature for people to want to try and classify others when they meet them for the first time. The thing is, often times it can be difficult to change those opinions or at the very least, it takes more effort to change them than it does to form them in the first place. So how are your new co-workers going to perceive you at first? What are you going to do to shape that impression?
3. Be a Good Co-Worker and Team Player
One of the best ways to make a bad first impression when you’re starting in a new role is to appear as someone who thinks they’re better than others or above certain tasks. People who lead by example and aren’t afraid to participate in the more routine daily tasks from time to time are much better at earning the respect of their co-workers. You can also get involved by joining committees or by volunteering to help in the planning of company social events. By doing this, you’ll meet new people and show yourself to be part of the team.
4. Feel Out the Culture
Take some time to observe what the culture in the office is like and try to see where you fit. Conversely, new people who come in and try doing things that are perceived as disruptive to the existing culture are much more likely to receive push-back. If there are new things you’d like to try or implement, try softly suggesting them as opposed to the hard sell approach and gauge what people’s reaction is.
5. Don’t come on TOO strong
There’s a fine line between showing enthusiasm and drive when joining a new company and going overboard and stepping on other people’s toes. The latter will result in people getting their backs up. While you may be new, realize that most people have probably been there for several months if not years and have spent a lot of time developing relationships. If people see someone new come in and they feel like their position or anything they’ve worked to achieve is being threatened, then you could face a battle rather than warm welcome and open arms.
While starting a new job can be daunting, remember that there is a certain degree of uncertainty amongst the current employees of the company as well. Come in with an open mind and you’ll most likely be greeted with the same. If all else fails, bring in donuts and muffins with a note saying “from the new guy in marketing”.
Randy Quarin is a Toronto based recruiter and has been responsible for hiring, developing, and retaining top talent; specializing in a variety of industry verticals including, Contract and Permanent I.T. placement in Financial Services, Gaming and Mobile Development, Professional Services, and Manufacturing /Engineering. IQ PARTNERS is Canada’s leading Executive Search & Recruitment firm. We help companies hire better, hire less and retain more. We specialize in Marketing, Communications, Consumer Goods & Services, Retail, Sales, Technology, Finance, HR & Operations and operate at the mid-to-senior management level.
