Knowing that career transitions are inevitable, it makes more sense to prepare for them than to just dive in and hope for the best. So, in order to thrive in a new position and effectively navigate the “honeymoon period,” we should make a purposeful, mindful adjustment to this transition by following these tips provided.
Conduct your research
The first thing you should do is make sure you familiarise yourself with the organisation you’re joining, according to Gontse Madumo, the Talent Acquisition Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at Mondelez International. She claims that a prepared candidate would have done their homework before joining the company.
Display a desire to learn
Adopting a constant learning mindset is essential for success in both your new job and in your career as a whole. “Ask questions to make sure you understand as you read and take in the content. Most individuals are receptive to inquiries in the beginning and embrace the chance to get to know you better, “says Gontse.
Take notes and summarise the knowledge later on as another way to ease learning and survive the information overload.
Build relationships
Establishing relationships within the company is crucial. According to Gontse, “often new employees rely on other people’s judgement of individuals in the organisation, rather than taking time to experience the person themselves and be willing to form their own opinion of them,” she says.
First impressions are important
When others don’t know you, they will judge you based on your speech and interaction, punctuality, appearance, and other characteristics that may initially seem unimportant. Make sure to speak positively and nicely, introduce yourself with assurance, and, most importantly, show respect for others.
Know what success looks like
Create specific objectives and goals that will serve as your direction. Line managers are typically urged to develop an onboarding strategy for new hires, according to Gontse, which will explicitly state how you are expected to do your function. “This onboarding plan typically also specifies what is important to the company. Utilise this, but also progress on it over time.”
Strive to win quickly
To guarantee that you know what success looks like for yourself, you should set clear goals and objectives, but according to Gontse, it’s also crucial to seize the moment and seize the small victories as they present themselves. When you have a huge list of expectations placed on you, she advises, “Identify the quick wins and work on those, this will help build momentum for the bigger challenges to come.”
Display your qualities
Don’t be frightened to demonstrate your abilities because you’ve brought knowledge and expertise. Be willing to take on tasks and commitments that may have nothing to do with your line of work.
Become familiar with the corporate culture
While you want to showcase your skills right away, it’s equally critical to adjust to the company’s culture, behaviours, standards, and values. Despite this, Gontse stresses the value of maintaining boundaries. We shouldn’t compromise on certain essential issues since doing so would mean betraying our basic identity.
Accept criticism politely
The most crucial action you can do to succeed in your new position is to have an open mind. “Feedback is a gift that can only help you grow, develop your career, and aid in your personal development too,” asserts Gontse.
A new job’s initial 90 days might be intimidating. “Remember that no one is expecting you to know everything right away, so seize the chance to learn. You may lay a strong foundation for success in your new business by adhering to these recommendations. Spend some time each day evaluating your progress and, if required, revising your goals and objectives. Congratulations!” concludes Gontse.
Also see: Soft skills that are often needed in the workplace
