Starting a new job can be difficult and feel like an elephant in a china shop. Today I explain to you what are the keys to adapting to the new position in the shortest time possible.
Being new to a job is something that generates a certain anxiety and discomfort to anyone. No matter how much confidence you have in yourself and no matter how skilled you are, you feel clumsy and not very decisive in the first days of any job. Yes, you adaptation The new job may take longer or shorter depending on what you do. Today I am going to give you some tips to make this adaptation process to the new position as short as possible.
You must take the first step before starting your first day. Surely you have already done it for the interview, but if not, search the internet for their website and immerse yourself in the company’s philosophy, what it does and what its fundamental principles are. Additionally, talk to friends or people who have worked or work in similar positions and get informed about the dynamics, tasks to be performed, etc. Although each company is different, you will have come a long way if you know a little about your future job, even from the outside.
On the other hand, and at the end avoid possible unforeseen problems Before starting work, find out the best way to get to your workplace, public transport schedules or if you are going to go by car, the times when it is easiest to find traffic jams. Based on that, calculate the approximate time it will take you to get to work and you can even do a pilot test. If you have the opportunity, try to go to work at the same time you would go on your first day and based on that you decide if you have done the calculation correctly or not. If you do not have the opportunity to do the drill, then calculate the time to arrive well in advance and be able to face possible setbacks.
Now, the big moment has arrived, the first day, What can you do to adapt quickly and well?
Try to make a good first impression: It is not about showing yourself different from what you are, but about adapting to the new situation. To do this, it is important that you dress in a way that is consistent with the new job (within your style) and that you arrive on time. Greet your colleagues and introduce yourself but do not rush to appear funny or skillful, observe the behavior of others and the way they relate to each other and this way you will avoid possible blunders.
Ask any questions you have and be cautious: If there is something you don’t know how to do, make a list of all the questions that come to you and then find the time to ask them. It is important that you do not constantly ask questions, interrupting the work of your colleagues, in the same way that it is also important that you ask before doing so without knowing and making mistakes that others then have to solve. Also, carry a notebook with you where you can write down the answers to all your questions. As you will consult more than one thing, it is likely that you will get confused with the answers, so writing it down will help you not to mix things up and not have to ask the same question several times.
Accept that at first you will be like a fish out of water: It is normal that at first you feel clumsy, even when doing the same job, companies can work differently or use methods that you are not familiar with and you have to soak it all up. So don’t beat yourself up or get demoralized. Allow yourself a “trial” period and remind yourself of your resources and virtues.
Try to absorb everything they explain to you as soon as possible: Pay maximum attention to everything they explain to you and try to do it yourself next time. It’s about memorizing and being decisive, so the sooner you do it, the better. If you have written down the answers to your questions in your notebook, practice everything you don’t know until you automate it.
Excess self-confidence is not good: In the same way that it won’t help you to think you’re inept, believing yourself to be the king/queen of mambo won’t help you either. Overconfidence will make you not pay enough attention, make mistakes and also not even be aware of them. Not to mention the opinion that both your boss and your colleagues will create of you, which will surely not be good. Humility is important, so if you make mistakes, accept it and rectify it.
Work in team: There are people who like to work individually and find it difficult to delegate and/or accept working with other people. If you are one of those, try changing the chip. Working as a team is very enriching and you can also learn from what your colleagues give you as well as teach things that they don’t know. On the other hand, it makes work not so monotonous and repetitive, so take advantage of all these advantages.
Ask them to tell you how they see you, accept criticism and rectify it: Request feedback, that is, ask your bosses and colleagues how they see you, what things you do well and what you are wrong about or should do differently. Remember that you have asked for an evaluation, so you have to accept any possible criticism they may make, so don’t get angry when they tell you what you don’t like to hear. And then, from there, rectify your mistakes to improve in the shortest time possible.
Connect with your colleagues: It’s not about you becoming best friends, but having a minimum of social relationship (talking about topics that are not work-related) can help make the work environment more natural and make it more enjoyable. That means that you try to get involved in established routines. For example, if you all eat together, do the same instead of eating alone or in front of the computer. Although you have a lot of work and a rush to learn, it is important that you do not isolate yourself. In this way, bonds are generated with colleagues and these bonds can help with teamwork or simply camaraderie. Of course, before opening your mouth, be a little cautious when you talk about your experiences (you don’t know these people and you don’t know what things you can trust and what you can’t, as well as how trustworthy they are) as well as about conflictive topics ( politics and topics of debate in general).
