9 ideas to make a new job start right

Starting a new job is usually exciting. Every organisation may have a different process and procedures. A new beginning filled with opportunities and challenges. 

Here are nine ideas to make a new job start right: 

1. Dress up smart. 

Everything becomes more casual. With the rise of remote work perhaps everyone dresses more casually. It is likely many companies adopt casual work dress, especially in certain industries or professions. However, dressing smart initially is always a good idea (also during interviews e.g., in person or remote). After the initial process is completed, and the new role starts, it is useful to observe and check the required dress code. If desired, dressing down to more casual clothing is an option to match the company culture. Better to be over dressed, more formal, but well prepared and presented, initially. 

2. Get a notebook.

Having a notebook to take notes is always useful. Taking notes especially at the beginning is key to retain and remember information when things are new, and the influx of information is significant. It can also indicate that the person is serious and takes care for their work and the details. There are likely many initial conversations, catch ups, inductions, and introductions. Having a notebook handy is a clever tool to ensure nothing is missed and the information is retained for future reference. 

3. Follow the onboarding process.

Some organisations may have an onboarding and induction process. Following this is important. Knowing key details early ensures less time is spent on this later on. Also completing everything on time and in detail indicates commitment and appreciation of the onboarding process. The onboarding process may raise additional questions that could be asked in addition and clear the road ahead to avoid confusion or misunderstanding. It is better to complete this early and in full so there is no need to dip in partially and complete small chunks at a time when things are much busier. 

4. Check or ask for team introductions.

It is useful to check if the initial onboarding process involves having team member introduction – meeting with other team members and learning about their role and how you may work together. This is important for having a broader and better understanding of the wider team and how things work. This ensures better alignment, and you may know what other people do in case this comes useful in future. In case you need help or to ask questions. Also, if a project is worked on, and you have to lead on something, it is easier to know who to involve. Also, the other way, if you are asked to contribute on something, and you are familiar with other people and their work, it is easier to know what the expectations are, and a dialogue was previously opened. 

5. Check or ask for priorities – short term or long term.

Initially, it is a clever idea to ask about priorities, maybe for the first week, weeks or months. Until someone gets accustomed to the work and get a sense of things it is useful to know the key priorities and get aligned with what matters and not get sidetracked by other activities. At the beginning it works to ask for weekly priorities to make the work more manageable. It is useful because initially even though someone may have many years of experience, they are still new in the workplace, and it is likely things are different. Knowing the bigger picture takes time and professionals often receive a lot of information initially. 

6. Listen more.

Initially listening more is a clever idea. Regardless of the level of experience and previous experience listening is important. More information is retained. Listening more may increase chances to spot and solve problems later. The desire initially to jump in every conversation and highlight our knowledge is tempting. After all everyone wants to add value quick and maybe get a promotion or progress quickly. But listening more sometimes is good because it may provide better alignment. 

"Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking." --Bernard Baruch (“15 Quotes to Inspire You to Become a Better Listener | Inc.com”) 

7. Ask clarifying questions.

Asking questions and making a list of questions is useful. It is likely for someone new in a role to have many questions. Asking questions initially is helpful to clear the road ahead and avoid confusion. It shows initiative and interest in the role. It also broadens understanding and adoption of the role quicker. After all information is key. The more we know about the role the better. 

8. Check or ask for “one to one” catch ups with a line manager.

It is useful to request one to one on regular basis if those are not already arranged. This is key because ensures alignment with the work and priorities. It is a suitable time to ask the clarifying questions in case things are busy and there is not enough time to cover everything during other periods. It also makes it easier to prepare meaningful questions in advance. Better understating about the role, expectations and details may increase chances of success or satisfaction with the role. 

9. Learn more about the organisation.

Learning more about the organisation and increasing general knowledge is always useful. This may also include learning about the industry. Increasing general awareness and knowledge ensures better communication with other stakeholders. This learning contributes towards understanding the bigger picture and where someone fits in and how the work they do contributes to the bigger picture. 

References:

• 15 Quotes to Inspire You to Become a Better Listener | Inc.com, https://www.inc.com/dave-kerpen/15-quotes-to-inspire-you-to-become-a-better-listener.html.