A fresh grad at new job or a seasoned manager on a career/job transition, each organization and management has their own way to work and to know your responsibilities and expectations is the first thing you must work on now.
You’ve just joined a new job and have already skimmed the advice on what to do next. Here are some valuable tips that you must know in order to understand what is expected of you at work, and you know that spells success at workplace.
- What are the general expectations and what are some critical long-term ones that my manager has for me?
- What are my short-term and long-term assignments?
- What are the processes and procedures in place in the organization, task and team wise?
- Am I expected to improve, change or create any processes and procedures in place for the project?
- What additional skills do I need to accomplish my responsibilities in a better way? Is there in-house or external training that would help?
- What relationships should I build and with whom, -the social aspect. Know how your manager works and his/her preferences on the work culture within the team. Know your team mates.
- What are the preferred means of communication within the team? What are the expectations here?
To know where to go is halfway getting there. To be prepared adds strength. To know the right answers you must first ask the right questions. People want to be asked for advice – asking questions has a two way benefit, you gain knowledge and the other person feels great about helping someone!
Also note that you don’t have to be an expert to be respected by your team, nor does anyone expect you to know it all as soon as possible. Learn to be patient on the new job, to learn to observe and work team dynamics. It’s not all about work but a large part is toward how you can increase your “likability”, soft skills, team coherence and follow the company culture. These all together with the tips above will help make your new job a place where you are excited to be every since day!
Good luck on your new job and always be ready to question, explore, innovate, suggest and be a supportive team player!
Point no.6 is particurlarly valid IMO. If you want to suceed and fit in quickly you must know the social hierarchy and how to interact with each team member. You must remember that you are new to them as they are new to you. Some you might need to keep your guard and some you might need be open and friendly. The quicker you figure it out the easier it will be to get along.
Thanks for stopping by to comment. You are right about highlighting the importance of being a good team player and more so in giving a best shot to know who you are working with.
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.~ Henry Ford
Focus must be on your personal contribution to the team and also on how well you can work together in a group.