New Kid on the Block?
Hopefully some of you are getting those hard fought and very coveted job openings out there…and if you are, you are going to be the newbie! It is never easy being the new person in any situation, especially in the workplace. As work environments are constantly shifting, so are faces of those in the office as well. Being a new hire presents challenges for all parties involved.
Assimilating to a new environment is a skill. There are actions that can be taken to help this transition into a new “family” go smoother. Hopefully as the new hire, you already have a good idea of the company culture—through your own research and interviews—as a baseline of what to expect. Knowing the environment you’re going into is vital. Knowing yourself is just as important. If you tend to be too aggressive, then tone things down. Or, consequently, if you are a very shy individual, break out of that mold and become more social to get to know your new coworkers.
In the first few days on the job, take the time to introduce yourself. Take the time to walk around and say hi…don’t be afraid to mingle a bit. Hopefully there is a new hire training program at your workplace. If not, that could be a potential idea to bring up to management since it’s always good to have processes in place for new employees. You could bring this up during your first review.
Keep in mind that your new colleagues may be viewing you as a potential threat. With that being said, it is critical to create a sense of comfort with them. Invite your colleagues to lunch. Get to know them better on a more one-on-one basis. And try to avoid group lunches at first, since it can be overbearing and you might not be in the loop with everyone yet.
If all else fails, reach out to your hiring manager or management and seek out a mentor. Hopefully this individual can lend you a helping hand getting to know not only your colleagues better but also maybe your workload as well.
Most importantly, stay positive, be visible and keep a good attitude. Regardless of any situation, you can only control what and how you do things…
A few reminders for all you potential newbies:
Know your environment.
Keep a positive attitude.
Do not show off all your skills and talents too quickly.
Be PATIENT, fostering relationships takes time.
No “negative talk” (employees/corporate).
Good luck!
Alex Brown
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