You’ve started a new job! Now what?
Congratulations! Starting a new job, whether it’s a promotion within your current organization or a completely new role, is an exciting chapter in your career.
It’s an opportunity to grow and develop, take on new challenges and projects, and make new connections. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking: while a new role often means more money, it can also mean more responsibility and new skills requirements.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and take some time to adjust, and your new manager should be patient and understanding while you learn the ropes.
But there are still plenty of things you can do to get up to speed.
Here are some tips to help ensure a smoother transition and succeed in a new job.
Top 6 ways new employees can stand out
1. Ask questions early and often
2. Seek feedback and act on it quickly
3. Learn the big-picture context of your work
4. Consistently build your network
5. Prioritize relationship building with a mentor
6. Use in-office time to learn and build connections
Tips for new hires: The early days
The first few weeks will likely feel hectic and overwhelming – and that’s ok. Use this time to review your onboarding materials in-depth and familiarize yourself with the tools and programs you’ll be using in your role.
This is also the ideal time to understand the bigger picture behind your work. You’ll probably receive some in-depth background on the organization’s history, the company goals and their customers, and how your work contributes to the company’s success. This can help you feel more connected to the role and your day-to-day tasks.
Also, make sure that you use this time to meet everyone in your organization who you’ll be working with. This is a great chance to introduce yourself to colleagues and higher-ups, people who you’ll collaborate with and can turn to when questions arise. Proactively introduce yourself to people, be approachable, offer help, and schedule coffee chats. You can also volunteer to help with events and activities.
Speaking of questions, you’ll likely have a lot of them – frequent, regular 1-on-1s with your manager can keep you on the right track and help you feel like you’re learning the role while giving you a sense of direction in your daily tasks.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as it shows that you’re committed to learning about the organization and the role, and that you’re invested in doing the job as best as you can – asking questions is one of the best ways to stand out in your early days.
Making the most of in-office time
Many organizations now require employees to spend at least part of the week in the office.
Use this as an opportunity to have unstructured conversations, get to know your team on a personal level, and shadow more experienced coworkers.
Join team lunches or after-work outings to not only form stronger connections with your own team, but also to network with other people within the organization you might not otherwise meet.
What skills are employers looking for new employees?
According to a Robert Half survey of over 1,000 experienced workers, soft skills were overwhelmingly important for hiring managers. 71 per cent listed time management and punctuality as the number one area where new professionals require the most guidance, followed by communication and responsiveness at 51 per cent and effective meeting participation at 49 per cent.
While technical skills are often learned on-the-job, soft skills are honed after years of work experience, and it is often the strong soft skills that set a candidate apart.
These soft skills help you build trust with coworkers, communicate effectively, and adapt to your new responsibilities.
How important are AI skills in your new role?
Use AI to work smarter, not to replace critical thinking.
According to the survey results, 4 in 10 experienced professionals say AI knowledge is a baseline expectation, but that focus on human skills is key to set candidates apart.
Of these AI skills, reviewing and refining AI-generated work for accuracy stood out as an important capability.
However, be careful – 36 per cent of respondents caution against using AI to overstate skills or experience.
Unless your role is heavily AI-focused or technical, concentrate on using AI to support your work rather than relying on it. Instead, use AI to summarize notes and brainstorm ideas, organize information, and proofread your work.
How to keep improving in your role
Find a job.
Once you have settled in and are more comfortable in your role, you can start to polish yourself and your processes.
One thing you will want to start doing after a few weeks in your new role is ask for feedback. No one is perfect, and everyone has areas they can improve upon. Just as importantly, demonstrate that you have acted on the feedback you receive. Managers notice employees who can learn quickly and continuously improve. Keep track of your accomplishments, positive feedback and completed projects. It will make future performance reviews and career conversations much easier.
This is also an opportunity to start looking at what your team and organization can improve; are there any processes that feel outdated, is there a better way of doing things? Employers value this feedback as it not only could help the business but also shows that you have initiative.
Consider finding a mentor, whether it's your manager or an experienced colleague. A mentor can answer questions, provide career guidance, and help you navigate your new workplace more confidently.
The important thing to remember throughout your career is that you should never stop learning and growing. Even after months or years at a workplace, set aside some time to continue to hone your skills and learn new ones.
Standing out in a new job isn't about trying to impress everyone right away. It's about consistently showing curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to learn. Focus on building relationships, seeking feedback, and understanding how your work contributes to the organization's goals, and you will establish yourself as a valuable member of the team.
Looking to start a new role?
FAQs
How can I stand out in a new role?
Focusing on demonstrating your initiative and enthusiasm for learning about the role and your organization, as well as building relationships with your team. Take some time training on new systems and programs and familiarize yourself with the workflow. Most importantly, be sure to build relationships with people both on your team and within the broader organization. This will be important as a support system for networking, which may help further your career.
How important are AI skills in a new job?
While understanding AI and when to leverage it is certainly helpful, most employers are more focused on your soft skills that cannot be easily taught. This includes skills like communication, teamworking, adaptability, and willingness to learn.
Which skills should I focus on as a new employee?
As a new employee, focus on skills that are directly related to your role, such as any essential software skills. Be sure to place equal focus on your soft skills that will be crucial for navigating the workplace and building relationships within (and outside) your team.
How can I build relationships in a new job?
Building relationships can feel difficult as a new employee, but there are some ways to make it easier. First, proactively introduce yourself to those around you and get to know what they do in the organization. Schedule coffee chats and have lunch with your coworkers. Volunteer for events and activities and be sure to schedule regular 1-on-1's with your manager.
