826 Starting a New Job – Part 2

As explained before, my post was getting a bit big so I thought I would split it into two parts. Part two is short and sweet compared to Part 1. Please let me know if there is anything you think I missed and if there were anything you would like to add.

Extra Tips

• Before you tell your boss that the computer is not working, try restarting. They might just repeat it, but you will feel silly if it works for them and you didn’t do it.

• Bring a few snacks to hide on your desk to avoid getting up from your desk too many times. Also, check if they are okay with you eating at your desk, some companies don’t allow it.

• Avoid smelly food such as tuna, onions, or any fish in general.

• If you find yourself sitting and not knowing what to do, offer to make drinks, but don’t make it too good or you will end up making it all day every day.

• If you are like me and forget names quickly, wait for someone to say it out loud or simply ask them to write their email down for you. Or ask them to email you so you can add them as a contact.

• Keep your attendance up, having poor attendance in the first year is going to dampen your impression and make the company believe they have made a bad decision in hiring you.

It is important to have a positive attitude toward your work, especially in the first year or so, you don’t stand a chance of passing your probation if you are negative a lot of the time. I would also avoid calling in sick, particularly in your first year unless you are unable to move of course. If you are genuinely sick, then you have no choice but to make a point of apologising when you come back and offer to make up some time to help with the workload.

I have always believed in listening more than talking, if you talk, you are only repeating the knowledge you have, if you listen you might learn something new.

Sadly, I have experienced a situation when you get treated differently depending on who you hang out with at work. If you spend most of your time with a person who always calls in sick or turns up late, you will probably be at the short end of the stick with your line manager/boss. If you hang with a person who is always there and always on time, you are likely to receive respect a bit quicker.

Many employers look at your social media before you start nowadays, it has such a presence in life now it is important to have a reasonable internet presence. I like to keep my colleagues off my social media to put a stop to drama and gossip. Well, at least lessen the drama and gossip. Those at the same level as me I am friends with or follow them, but I do not mention anything about work, you can’t find where I work by looking at my social media. I believe that my personal life shouldn’t have anything to do with work and that is the way I am going to keep it.

Please let me know if you have any other tips or if anything above helped you. Most importantly, if you are due to start a new job, GOOD LUCK!