Posted On18 Feb 2020
So you’ve finally landed a job. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part - proving yourself to your colleagues and employer. Starting a new job comes with many challenges, especially if you’re a fresh grad. Here are tips from our resume writing company on how to gun for workplace success so you can leave the ‘newbie’ moniker behind as soon as possible.
Get to know the work environment
It helps to know what to expect regarding company culture. Depending on the company you now work for, you may find plenty of online information about the work culture that they promote, or you may not. Of course, now that you’re working there, you can figure it out first hand, and see if it’s a good fit for you. Find out how the company engages and supports its employees. Learn what the day-to-day work environment is like. Discover how the company handles conflict and office politics. Doing these steps can help you prep yourself for fitting in.
Be reliable
Every employer looks for reliability in the people they hire. This means that your boss should be able to trust you to show up on time and do your job competently with minimal supervision. It also means that you are able to follow through with your commitments, meet deadlines, persevere through challenges, develop a strong rapport with colleagues, and perform consistently to the best of your ability. Anyone can say that they are capable of all of these qualities during an interview, but an employer would rather see these essential traits in practice, so be prepared to demonstrate them from day one.
Master your workday
Get into the habit of making a to-do list for the day. Setting clear goals for the workday is vital for effective productivity. Even if your job involves the same tasks day in day out, it helps to define the purposes and expectations behind each of the tasks you’re responsible for so you’ll always see value in your work no matter how mundane it may seem to you. Find your productivity peak and schedule your most critical tasks around this time. And make sure to schedule a short break every one or two hours—the human brain can only focus on work for so long before efficiency starts to falter.
Realize that you have much to learn
Stay humble at all times. Even if you hold a degree or have some experience, always bear in mind that you’re the ‘new guy/gal,’ and you’re not going to help your case by being smug or arrogant toward others. Even when you’ve worked that job before, for sure, there are plenty of procedures and policies that you must familiarize yourself with, in the new company. It can help if you align yourself with a mentor—sooner or later, you’ll eventually find someone who’s willing to show you the ropes. A mentor is someone with knowledge or experience from whom you can glean valuable insight and advice, and their input can significantly improve how you go about your current role.
Be confident
Confidence and arrogance are two different things. One screams loud insecurity, while the other exudes quiet self-reliance. One is unappealing, while the other is a much desirable trait. Your employer believes in your capabilities—that’s why you were hired in the first place. Now, cast aside your doubts and believe in yourself. Build your confidence by having a healthy self-esteem. When you radiate confidence, you likewise attract the confidence of others. This can influence not only your workplace relationships but your performance as well.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
“You had one job” is a mocking critique that newbies hear all too often. That’s because many people who are new at their job are often afraid to ask their supervisors to repeat their instructions at the risk of looking foolish. Unfortunately, not being clear on what you’re supposed to do only makes you go about your work in the wrong way. When your manager gives you instructions, don’t be hesitant to ask them to repeat key details. And afterward, repeat those same instructions out loud to make sure you have everything correct. Likewise, if you do not know how to do a task, ask. It’s a lot faster than trying to figure things out on your own.
Do more than expected
Instead of simply meeting your expectations, make it your goal to exceed them. Stay flexible and adaptable to changes in your team, goals, and project requirements. Motivate yourself and rise to new challenges. Most important of all, keep your skills up to date. Keeping in touch with the latest developments in your industry can help improve your abilities and make you a more efficient and effective employee. The more you do than what is expected of you, the more you’ll attract the attention of your superiors, and the sooner you’ll find yourself leaving the newbie zone.
Be a team player
Getting along with your colleagues is key to fitting in and enjoying your work. Thus, just as crucial as performing your duties is to contribute to others whenever possible. People appreciate colleagues who work well with others and participate in the team’s efforts. If you can see a co-worker struggling with some of the tasks, offer your help. This gives you the opportunity to get to know the people you work with a little better, as well as showcase your willingness to work with a team. Likewise, you should be able to receive as well as you give—be receptive to advice from others and know when to compromise.
Avoid office politics
Remember in high school when you had cliques, boundaries, and hierarchies? If you think people outgrow such pettiness when they become professionals, you’ve got another think coming. As a newcomer, it’s in your best interest to avoid office politics altogether. Respect the confidentiality of your peers, and don’t dabble in gossip. You don’t know who your new colleague might share the information to, which could expose you and potentially damage your reputation.
If it seems like you and you're and your new company is not a good fit, your career path may lie elsewhere. Your next career move begins with a great resume. Let Resumeble work on your resume today.
