Many of us will be starting new roles with the onset of the “great recession” If it’s been a while since you started a new job, you might feel unsure of how to start off on the right foot. That’s normal. Here are some strategies to ease the transition and make a strong first impression.
- First, focus on relationship-building. Demonstrate curiosity about your teammates and their work. Understand their roles, where you fit in, and how you can provide value.
- Next, leverage these relationships to learn the organizational history and cultural norms on your team before attempting to plant your flag. The more you know about the history of your organization and how it operates, the more effectively you’ll be able to navigate it. It’s especially important to get a sense of how others perceive your role. Ask questions of your colleagues and your manager that gauge their expectations. Just because you have the same title or functional job you had at your last company, the job itself could turn out to be quite different.
- Finally, give yourself some grace to figure things out. This is a process, and it will take some time to feel at home on your new team.
Good luck, Nicola ☘
