It’s natural to be nervous about starting a new job and worry about how you can make a good first impression. If you’re looking for some guidance, here is a list of dos and don’ts for a new job that might help you put your fears to rest and start your job right.
Walking into a new office is unnerving, no matter how many times you’ve done it before. You don’t have any friends there yet, the work culture is still unfamiliar to you, and no one ever tells you where to find the bathroom, where you can sneak away to hyperventilate. The nervousness that’s attached to new beginnings is completely normal, but it helps to have a game plan before you walk in so you can make a good impression on your colleagues. If you’re looking for tips before starting a job or just want to know what not to do while kickstarting your career, this mini guide might be helpful.
Read ahead for some dos and don’ts to guide you through your new job so you can make your way across the workplace with confidence. (Image: Pexels)
Presenting Some Dos and Don’ts of Starting a New Job
Whether you’re starting your first job or you’re just restarting your career at a new workplace, it’s natural to want to lead with confidence and ensure that there are no complaints during the initial days. Your previous job may have functioned in a specific way, but it’s important to acknowledge that the new organization might have an entirely different system of operations.
Most organizations give new hires some time to settle in and get a feel for the workplace, which means that you do have an opportunity to get comfortable before you dive into your role. This means that your first three months at the organization shouldn’t just be centered on coming in on time and going through the motions mechanically.
It should also focus on making observations and understanding how the organization functions. This might sound overwhelming at first, but if you create a game plan for yourself and set a clear goal of how you want to operate, you’ll do just fine.
Dos of Starting a New Job: Some Pre-Job Preparation Tips for Your Career
First things first, it’s important to prepare for your new role carefully before you start the job. Your connection with the organization doesn’t begin the day you step in, but the moment you are hired. Here are some tips to review before or soon after starting a job.
Study the Organization and Do Your Research
Most organizations have a strong public presence or a website at least. Understanding the clientele, core values, leadership teams, etc., can help you gain a sense of the business and its mission.
Set Your Own Goals
A new job isn’t just about targeting organizational goals but your own personal ones. Having a list of short-term and long-term goals can help you work towards something, even if your early days at work are slow.
Connect with Colleagues
You can ask for the contact information of your manager or team lead even before you start the job, and send a polite email introducing yourself. Once you join the organization, make an effort to talk to those around you and start conversations when you can. Don’t hide away to eat your lunch until someone invites you to connect.
Mentally Prepare to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
One of the best tips to keep in mind before starting a new job is to accept that the early days may be embarrassing and awkward. If you stick to what is familiar and don’t make an effort to say yes to opportunities, you might not be able to create the impact you want.
- Ask Questions When You Can
It’s easier to nod your head and pretend you understand when something is explained to you, but this can affect your performance. Ask questions to understand your role and the organization better, not just for the sake of asking as many as possible.
Observe the Work Culture and Act Accordingly
From the exact nature of the dress code to the right time to approach a manager, there’s a lot you can learn to get right just by observation. Be actively present in the workplace and understand the unspoken etiquette that persists.
Learn to Manage Your Time
Another one of our tips to start your job right is to learn how to manage your time during the early days, when the workload is still light. Understand how much time is spent on tasks and what the project deadlines look like so you’re able to schedule your work with care. Arriving at work on time or joining meetings early are also key parts of this process.
Pay Attention to Feedback Without Taking It Personally
Receiving negative feedback can shake up our confidence very easily, but this only interrupts growth. Learn to listen to feedback objectively and treat it as advice for improvement. The ability to listen and reflect on feedback will go a long way in building a stable career.
Don’ts While Starting a New Job: What Not to Do at Your New Workplace
A job “dos and don’ts” guide would be incomplete without also pulling out some pointers on what behavior is best avoided at work. Some habits are not welcome in any workplace, especially when you’re in pursuit of a fresh start and don’t know where the boundaries lie in your organization.
Don’t Get Too Involved In Workplace Drama
Often, the easiest way to build connections is to engage in sharing and receiving gossip, but this is a habit best avoided. Being forced to take sides and play mind games at work can not only hurt your reputation but also limit your connections with colleagues.
Don’t Take Your Tasks Lightly Just Because They Are Simple
If you’re looking for tips on what not to do at your new job, the first thing to remember is that no task is too far beneath you. If you’re tasked with simple, repetitive work, don’t relax too much and leave things for the last minute just because you’re certain you can get it done later. Recheck your work and turn it in on time to create a better impression.
Don’t Insist On Doing Things Your Own Way
While you might be familiar with operating in a specific way, try and learn how the organization prefers to get work done and comply. If, after a few months, you still think your original strategy works better, then you can make a suggestion to your manager and ask if you can try things your way.
Don’t Shy Away from Work Events
It may be hard to push yourself to attend social work events when you don’t know people too well yet, but try and show up for a while at least, just to build connections with your colleagues.
Don’t Allow Self-Doubt to Take Over
Feelings of frustration and inadequacy at work are not unheard of. Spiraling into comparing yourself with colleagues or your own image of where you should be doesn’t help your career. Consider your progress at work calmly and determine how you want to grow in your new role with clear, actionable steps that can help you move forward.
May These Pre-Job Preparation Tips Guide You Well
Some of these dos and don’ts of starting a new job may appear obvious, but it’s easy to forget how to work right when you’re surrounded by unfamiliar faces. To start your new job right, you need to remember that this work is about your own growth and development, but you can only achieve it by collaborating with the organization.
Challenges of varying severity may arise as you operate, however, it’s important to remind yourself that they can be overcome if you clear your head and think up a strategy on how to tackle them. Jobs are stressful, there’s no doubt about it, but the stress is manageable if you allow yourself to plan ahead and rely on the resources available.
Have more dos and don’ts for starting a new job? Share them in the comments. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.