Career Development: 6 Tips for New Employees
After last week’s article on integrating new employees into the workplace, I thought it would be useful to share some tips for those of you who are new employees yourselves.
Be Positive & Friendly: As a new employee, you may think your new co-workers should reach out to you and be friendly. This isn’t always the case, however. Smile, introduce yourself, and make it a point to remember each person’s name. Make three solid connections in your first week of work, so have have peers to lean on in the future.
Get to Know Your Boss: Take him or her to lunch. A healthy working relationship in which you feel comfortable being honest and asking questions is essential for your success at your new job. Over time, you’ll also learn his or her preferences, habits, and work style; this will help you meet expectations to a T.
Listen First, Talk Second: You’ll be tempted to prove yourself, but don’t be too aggressive. You have a lot to learn, so listen closely and take lots of notes. Be assertive and share your opinions and ideas when it’s relevant, but don’t force it.
Learn the Ropes: Pay attention to policies, protocols, and company culture. How do your new co-workers treat one another? How are decisions made? How quickly do others respond to your e-mail? Take these cues, along with the roles and expectations your new boss sets for you, and use them to assimilate into your new workplace. Ask for a list of others’ job titles and roles, if your company has one. Then you’ll know who to ask for the information you need.
Buckle Down: Work as hard as you can, especially in your first few months. Go above any beyond the expectations set for you by seeing unmet needs and taking care of them without being asked. Deliver on your promises, and you’ll be seen as a dependable employee. Your bosses will be glad they hired you.
Build into your future: As soon as you feel settled, perhaps a week or two into your job, begin creating a vision for your future. Look for a mentor, someone who has been in the business longer than you and has wisdom to offer. Take advantage of all the extra training and programs your company offers you throughout your career. A TapRooT® course or the TapRooT® Summit would be a fantastic place to get some of that root cause analysis, investigation, safety, or quality training you need.
Do you have any tips to share from your experiences as a new hire? Share them in the comments below!
