If you’re one of the lucky people who will be starting a new job to go along with the start of a new year, this is one of the most exciting times in your career, but can also be one of the most nerve-wracking. If it’s been awhile since you’ve changed jobs, companies, or both, you might have forgotten what it feels like to be the “new kid.” So just as a friendly reminder, here are five things you should do during your first week at a new job.
- Update your LinkedIn profile
You likely used LinkedIn at some point during your job search, so one of the first things you should do when you get a new job is to tell your LinkedIn network that you have a new role. Not only does it let people in your network who may have been helping you land something new that you were successful, but it’s also a signal to your new boss that you’re proud of your new role, and can’t wait to tell other people about it. One thing most new hires don’t think about when they join a new organization is taking this time to stay in touch with their old co-workers, and ask them for recommendations on LinkedIn. Depending on the circumstances of your departure, this might not always be appropriate, but generally, right after you leave an organization are when they’re missing you most, and may be the best time to ask for some kudos related to your past performance.
- Be social
Your desk might be the most familiar thing about your new role, and might feel like the most comfortable place to be. However, getting to know the ropes means getting to know your co-workers too. So resist every temptation you have to stay holed up at your desk, and get out and meet your new colleagues. This also means you should be speaking up in meetings, and learning where the places are that people tend to gather to talk about their day, their favorite TV shows, and eat lunch. Do your best to say hello to people at these informal gathering spots, and join the conversation.
- Ask Questions
This is probably the most uncomfortable part of being the “new kid,” you have more questions than answers. Remember, you do have a window of time where it’s completely acceptable to ask a lot of questions without it affecting your manager’s impression of whether or not you were a good hire. Jump on the opportunity to ask anything and everything, within reason, of course. Don’t succumb to the feeling that asking questions means that you’re not smart, and that you should know the answer. The more thoughtful questions you can ask during your first few weeks on the job, the more training you will get through asking those questions, and the more you will ultimately learn. Before you know it, you will know it all, and your team will be able to rely on you.
- Find a Friend
There is at least one person on every team who knows where the pencils are, how to submit a request to the IT department, and acts as a new team member liaison. If you can figure out who that person is on your team, make an effort to take them out to lunch or coffee during your first week to get to know your team from the inside out. As a matter of fact, you should try to have lunch with as many people as possible in your new organization over the first few weeks. This will give you the opportunity to get to know the culture of your organization, learn the ropes from veterans, and ask the questions that you are wanting to ask, but don’t want to ask your boss.
- Get on your boss’s calendar
If your boss doesn’t proactively set up a one-on-one meeting with you during your first week, make sure you snag a one-on-one meeting during week two. It’s important for you to understand if the priorities that were outlined for you during the interview process are still in force, or if things have shifted, and your focus will now be something new. Additionally, there are likely some things that you are wondering about during the first day or two, and need some clarity on. It’s best to get these sort of answers from the person who will be directly evaluating your performance.
Congratulations on your new role! No matter if you’ve had a new job in the last year, or even if it’s been ten years, we hope these five tips make the first week at your new job easier and more fun!