Let’s face it, nothing really prepares you for the work environment. Not school, not a university, and not even that career fair. Fact is, you only get treated as an employee when you are one. Starting your first job or a new one can be the beginning of a very exciting chapter of your career but it can also represent the beginning of a uniquely stressful chapter of your life mostly because you’ll be meeting new people, adapting to new routines and, possibly, a totally different work culture.
As such, settling into a new work environment can feel like a total change up of the things that you are used to. This is true even if you start a position with years of experience behind you in that same field since, as you will come to find out, no two jobs are exactly the same. In order to adapt and thrive there is a lot that you can do to make yourself comfortable while simultaneously adjusting to the new rules, and traditions of the new work environment.
So, here are a few pointers that can help you to enjoy the start of a new job:
Get Acquainted with the Culture
Different workplaces will often have cultures that differ to varying degrees and, therefore, it is very important to gauge the culture of your new work environment and try as much as possible to assimilate yourself to it. Regardless of whether or not the position you are in is pretty much the same as the one you were in previously, you will find that each workplace has a distinctive culture that defines how people interact and how things are done.
Getting yourself acquainted with various elements of the culture of a given workplace environment is the very first step towards establishing a strong rapport with your colleagues and getting started on an amazing career journey. Furthermore, it goes a long way in helping you to comfortably adjust to the demands and requirements of the job. It also gives you a deeper insight into the way people communicate and interact with each other.
Be Inquisitive
It is advisable to never feel self-conscious to ask questions especially in cases where you are not sure how exactly something works or how something is supposed to be done. You have to be confident enough to inquire about whatever you do not understand from colleagues or your supervisor. Contrary to what many people have been led to believe, asking questions does not make you look any less capable or experienced. In fact, it proves that you are willing to learn and take advise from your workmates. Moreover, you never want to screw anything up at a new job simply because you were trying to figure it all out by yourself.
Manage Your Time Well
Time management is essential in increasing your efficiency at your workplace. This means that you will have to schedule tasks and activities appropriately, to ensure that you not only complete the tasks but you also find some time to cool off and reenergize. It’s all good and well that you complete your tasks, but if that means working non-stop for a continuous period of time, it would only spell trouble further down the road. So make sure that you’re not only working hard, but also working smart.
There are lots of activities that you can partake in between tasks to ensure that you keep a clear head and do not get fatigued.
Build a Network
Your colleagues or co-workers are key to your success in your new work environment simply because achieving the desired results will require that you know whom to reach out to for whichever reason you may need them for. Most people are more than willing to assist you if you have any questions. Also, during breaks, you can spend some time to get to know your colleagues better, which has proven to increase the overall performance of the entire team. Better yet, invite your new colleagues to join in on a few hands of poker at the best poker sites for US players. Everyone loves poker, and a little bit of wagering will keep everyone’s spirits high.
Keep an Open Mind
It goes without saying that a change of work environment definitely means that there will be a change in routine among many other things. To better fit in this environment, it will be very important to be open to newer and even more challenging experiences. It is advisable to embrace the opportunity to adopt new approaches rather than strive to do things the way you are used to. Embracing new approaches is a great way of puffing up the number of skills you have and making yourself more valuable to the workplace.
Concentrate on the Positive
In some cases, a change of work environments may result in an encounter with certain elements that you may not necessarily like. However, as much as you should not have to endure discomfort in your place of work (it kills productivity) you should strive to pay more attention to the positive aspects of that particular situation. There is always room for adjustment in this regard but you have to ensure that the good outweigh the bad if you plan to stay at the new work place. Alternatively, you could explore the things that you think do not appeal to you to find out why they are as they are and if any changes can be made to ensure that you are comfortable enough to stay productive.
Ask for Feedback
Depending on the position you are in at your place of work, you will have different kinds of interactions with other employees, managers, and supervisors. To be fully aware of how you are progressing and if your efforts meet the required standards, you will need to seek out feedback and clarification from your supervisor or other co-workers. The feedback you will be given do not necessarily have to be about the tasks but can also be based on your interaction with co-workers, dress code and even time management.
