Getting Started on the Right Note at Your Next Assignment
Even if you’re excited by the prospect, it can be stressful to start a new job. You want to turn in a great performance, but you’re not quite sure what you can expect, and you probably don’t know many people at your new assignment.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to get off on the right foot no matter what type of job you’re beginning. These tips will help you start out strong and gather the experience and reputation you need for a successful, growing career.
Tie up your loose ends
Once you’re awarded an assignment or position, finalize your decision to move forward with the job by throttling back your job seeking activities. If you’ve been considered or interviewed by other companies, let them know that you’ve accepted an offer, and thank them for their time. Update any recruiters you’ve been working with to let them know your employed status — but ask them to keep your file active, in case a new opportunity surfaces or you end up being able to help them with resources.
In addition, announce your new position to your network. The friends and family who’ve helped you in your job search will be happy to hear good news, and other job seekers you’ve been in contact with will be heartened that success is possible.
Ask for a meeting with your new manager
It’s always a good idea to meet with the boss in person, whether it’s your direct supervisor or someone higher up in the company. Don’t consider this meeting a suck-up session. Instead, use the opportunity to introduce yourself, and then have some questions prepared to ask your new manager about:
- Your job duties and details
- Key people you should know in the company
- Timelines for starting and completing projects
- Measurements of success the organization considers important
- Any pitfalls you should avoid
Decide how you want to be perceived
When you’re going into any new job or assignment, you have an excellent opportunity to start with a fresh slate. Prior to starting your new position, decide what type of person you want to be known as at your new organization — for example, you might want others to view you as an up-and-comer or go-getter, a friendly and helpful person, or someone reliable who gets the job done.
Then, once you start working, make sure your actions reflect the image you want to convey. This type of personal branding can really help you establish your career, as well as your professional reputation.
Take cues from co-workers you trust
One of the first things you’ll do on a new job is get to know your co-workers. Make sure you choose wisely when you’re deciding who you want to be affiliated with at work, and start building dependable relationships from day one.
When you’ve identified the co-workers to follow, pay attention to who they know, how they behave, and who they associate with on the job. You can use these observations to model your own performance and interactions, ensuring that you’re a good fit for the company’s internal culture.
Continue to maintain your career
It’s not only common, but expected that modern employees will sometimes change jobs. Remember not to get so caught up in your new position that you fail to keep up with industry news, changes in the business landscape, and your own skill development.
You can help yourself get ready to grab the next big opportunity by maintaining a list of your accomplishments in your new work environment. Documented successes allow you to keep your resume and online profiles fresh and updated, while also helping you with your current job by preparing ahead of time for performance reviews and advancement opportunities. To learn more about how we can help you find your next behavioral health position, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at info@psychpros.com.