Did you just get the offer for a new job? Congrats!
You’ve made it through one of the hardest parts - the interview process. But you didn’t think it would be a walk in the park from now on, did you? Starting a new job can be quite stressful. During the first week in the new job you will have to get used to your new work environment, your colleagues and new tasks and responsibilities. To help you settle in we have put together some tips on how to survive the first week in the new job.
Plan your journey to work
Before you start your new job you should plan your journey to work. Allow enough time to get to work until you have figured out how long exactly it will take you because no one wants to be late for work in their first week in the new job.
Introduce yourself
Especially on your first day of the job you should take every opportunity you get to introduce yourself to new people - making connections is a never ending but worthwhile activity. Wherever you meet someone make an effort to talk to them so they know that you are around. Making a good first impression is important to build relationships with your new colleagues.
Find a mentor
Find someone who knows their way around the office. Someone who has been working there for a while can help you to get used to the office life and etiquette. Learn about the hierarchy in the office which will make you understand the dynamics and who to talk to if you have any questions. If you have any initial questions that you don’t want to ask you boss (like “where are the pencils”) you can turn to your new mentor.
Have a meeting with your boss
Make sure that you get to sit down with your new boss during the first week. In this meeting you can both set expectations and you can get a clear picture on what your boss wants from you and what you will have to focus on down the road. You will also get a feeling for how your boss will evaluate your work later on.
Ask questions
“Be a sponge” -they say and they are right. During your first week you have to soak up as much information as you can. Try to learn everything about how things are done around the office and why. This isn’t only limited to issues concerning work but you should also think about how things are handled in the kitchen or the common rooms. Asking questions will prevent misunderstandings from turning into big mistakes. There are no silly questions but make sure to take notes so you don’t have to ask twice.
Offer help
It is unlikely that your schedule will be packed in the first week so instead of wasting your time sitting around offer your help to those around you. This will make a good impression and will help you become part of the team. Also if you have some time to spare you might want to attend a few extra meetings or activities to get in contact with people.
Get organized and start demonstrating your skills
With all this new information you should make sure that you are not missing out on anything. You might get a little overwhelmed. So make sure you get organized by making a schedule and managing your time right. Also start to demonstrate your skills. The Managers hired you for a specific reason and you should start showing that you are capable of doing what you promised them. So get a head start and familiarize yourself with the processes.
Get familiar with what’s around you
Especially if you want to work abroadyou will have to relocate. Moving to a new area is always stressful and you should make sure you get familiar with your new neighborhood. Explore where you can find places like pharmacies, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants.
With these tips you should be good to start your new job abroad. Make sure you leave a good first impression and that you meet a lot of new people - just don’t be too shy and you will be successful.
