A new job is a wonderful opportunity to start over and become the professional you’ve always wanted to be. Before you start in a new job, think about what you should do in the first few months so you can use this valuable time to your advantage.

Create a strong first impression

When you first join a company everyone is inclined to like you. The people you met during the interview process must have been impressed by you or the company would not have offered you the job. Build on this base of support by meeting as many new people as possible when you first arrive. Ask your coworkers rather than your manager for help with small questions and tasks. Be sure to thank people for their assistance, no matter how small. Don’t assume anyone knows your name or what you are doing. Introduce yourself to people, shake hands, and tell them what department or job you are in. Everyone enjoys working with positive, friendly people. So, even if it is not your nature to be outgoing, make an extra effort — you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well people react.

Work as hard as you can

You want to establish yourself as a hard worker early. Putting in extra hours during your first few months will help you master your job quickly and let people know that you care about your work. If you are viewed as someone willing to take on additional work or tackle tough assignments, you will build credibility quickly and get more career opportunities. These are not the days to leave early or plan extracurricular activities during the work week. Senior managers are especially impressed by people who volunteer for weekend tasks. If you aren’t busy ask to be put on projects. This is also an excellent way to meet individuals from other departments. Once you have developed your reputation as a hard worker you will have some cushion for the occasions you have important personal demands on your time and need flexibility.

Get to know the company

When you first join a company no one expects you to know much about the business, so use your status as a newcomer to your advantage. Read as much about the company as possible before you start so you have a basic knowledge of the business. Go to the company website and if the company is public, look at the section for investors. Companies are very focused on what they tell their shareholders and you should be aware of what senior management is saying. Look at product literature and marketing materials to be sure you understand the products. Attend company meetings or outings, and ask people about their jobs. If there is no formal process to indoctrinate new workers, ask your manager if you can see the video of the last company-wide meeting or videos shown at trade shows. If you still feel there are gaps in your knowledge, ask your manager for more information.

Be sensitive to history

Joining a company is like being a new character in the third season of a hit TV series. There is a lot of history that may not be apparent to you as a new player, so keep your head down and your antenna up. It will take a while to figure out who the different groups are, which people are friendly to each other, and where there are strained relationships. Of course when you join a company your objective is to be like Switzerland: neutral. Do not align yourself with any one group too quickly. Your goal is to have professional friendships with everyone. Do not ask personal questions until you get to know people very well. You do not want to be known as a gossip and you will learn about everyone’s relationships soon enough.

Don’t compare companies

No one wants to hear how much better you did things at your old company. It’s good to bring in new ideas, but be careful how you phrase them. Never mention your old employer as the source of your suggestions unless someone specifically asks. It is better to phrase things in a general way such as, “Have we considered…?” or “Some other companies do….” If you express your opinions this way people will know you are just trying to help the situation and are not making a judgment on the way things are currently done. You do not want people to think you are unhappy in your present position.

By planning your first few months in advance you will start on the right foot and greatly increase your chances of success.

• Takeaways
o Be positive and upbeat. Everyone likes working with friendly people.
o Work especially hard the first few months to learn your job quickly and earn the reputation as a hard worker.
o Study your company before your arrive and become knowledgable about the business as quickly as possible.
o Have a cordial relationship with everyone. Do not get pulled into office politics or gossip.



© 2006 Pamela F. Lenehan. All rights reserved.

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