Now that you have the job, you want to keep it. It's up to you to prove to your employer what an excellent employee you are.
Learn about your workplace
Quickly get to know your work surroundings and your job role. Become familiar with the available facilities, tools and processes. Be clear what your supervisor and co-workers expect of you.
Every company has its own way of doing things. Watch and listen carefully - find out who does what, and what processes and procedures you should follow. Find out who you can ask for help.
Watch supervisors, managers and co-workers. Who really gets things done? Notice how they go about it; ask them about what they do, if you have questions. Follow their example in your own work.
Ask questions
Ask questions if you're not sure about anything. It's better to ask than to make a mistake, even if the question seems simple.
Whenever you ask, listen carefully to the answer. If you don't fully understand it, ask follow-up questions until everything's clear.
Personalise your work area
Personalise your work area so that you feel at home in your new setting, and to tell people a little bit about you.
Use what other people in the workplace have done in their areas to guide you in what you put at your desk or work station. Some workplaces have rules about the number of personal items like photos that are allowed - it's better to check beforehand than to be asked to remove something later.
If you share a workspace with other people, reach agreement with them before making any changes to the way it's arranged.
Focus on fitting in
When you start at a new workplace, everyone there already knows everyone else. They're all comfortable with each other. You can feel quite isolated, to start with.
But it needn't take you long to fit in. Try some of these ideas:
- Introduce yourself to other workers. Don't wait for them to welcome you; you may have to be the one to make the first move.
- Be polite and pleasant to everyone you meet.
- Be a team player. Work on getting along with, and helping, your co-workers and supervisors.
- Try to get to know four new people in the first week. Use coffee breaks and lunches to chat with them.
- If people invite you out for group drinks after work, go along just to get to know people, even if you only drink an orange juice yourself.
- Consider joining the social club, or any work sporting teams that interest you.
Keep a positive attitude and an open mind
The first impression you create will be a strong one. Your attitude, and the way you present yourself at the start of your new job, will determine whether your relationships at work get off to a good start.