Yesterday, we wrote about how to quit a job in the correct way and now that you’ve got that covered we’re exploring the other end of the scale with how to start a new job successfully. New jobs can be unnerving for some and overwhelming for others,  but we’ve got steps to help get you started.
 

It takes a life to build a reputation and seconds to destroy it

One of the most important aspects in how to start a new job successfully is making the right first impression. If you swagger into the office like Kanye chances are you’ll make enemies sooner than friends, or people will just give you a wide berth. Don’t be elusive and make people come to you, make an effort to get to know those you’ll be working with from now on. If the office environment is fast-paced, try saying hi in the kitchen or at the water-cooler, it’s better to make a quick good impression than none at all.
 

Inside job

If you’re unsure about the lay of the land then it’s always a good idea to befriend someone already well-established in the company. If you learn that someone you’ll be working closely with or just someone on your floor has been a long-term employee it’s worth getting to know them. They might be able to offer you help like smacking the coffee machine in a certain way before it will kick in or just show you where certain things are so you don’t end up pestering your boss over more trivial matters.
 

The head honcho

Speaking of bosses, don’t just disappear into a sea of faces when you’ve started your job, make sure to stay in your bosses radar in a good way. Try to speak with them about what they envision success in the position as for the first month or couple of months so you’ve got a good idea.
Likewise if you’re the big bad boss, make sure you make your mark by establishing your expectations early on so staff don’t think you’re a pushover who won’t question them about slacking. We’re not saying you have to be more Miss Trunchbull than Miss Honey, just let them know that they can communicate with you and how things will operate.
 

‘Those chickens are organised…’

Another way how to start a new job successfully is start as you mean to go on. You can do this by getting into good habits sooner rather than later. Not only will a tidy work-space and good organisation system help your first few weeks feel less stressful, but starting out like this it will make it much easier to continue.
This is also a good way to improve upon previous weak areas. If papers previously piled up until you’d made a fort, have a weekly clear out and sort through everything. If you were formerly more of a time-loser than time-lord, try keeping to a schedule and limiting your procrastination.
 
 

Promises promises

Don’t promise to be a driven employee who will benefit the business at interview and not follow through in the job. Chances are you weren’t hired just for your winning personality, but for what you said you’d achieve. If you said you were fantastic on Facebook or excellent with Excel you should start straight away on showing them why you were the right choice. Keep records of any achievements, you don’t want to reach review time 3 months in and have nothing to show.
 

More connections than Lego

You may have left your old job behind, but the first stages of a new job are a surprisingly good time to get all your contacts in order for the future. Make sure previous colleagues can follow your adventures through social media and get details of new colleagues when you’ve built a decent relationship with them. It’s better to have a pool of contacts when you leave than start your next job-hunt at square one.
 
Now you know how to make the right moves, let us move you onto the next step of your career!