So you’ve managed to land your dream job, congratulations!
However, now is the time for the real work to begin.
You need to prove your worth to your new organization, develop your skill set to become an invaluable member of their team, and earn the respect of your colleagues in order to progress up the career ladder.
But how exactly can you achieve that outcome? What activities do you need to undertak in order to grow and prosper within your new surroundings?
Seek Out a Mentor
When it comes to mentorship, the stats speak for themselves.
In a recent survey of high profile CEOs, 84% said mentors had helped them avoid costly mistakes, 84% become proficient in their roles faster, and 69% made better business decisions as a result.
No matter which industry you operate within, as an employee, you aren’t always going to have all of the answers. This is why it’s always a good idea to seek out a mentor, preferably of a senior rank within your new organization.
By working under a mentor, not only will you rapidly develop an understanding of your new company’s unique culture, but you’ll have help on hand to guide you through challenging scenarios at work.
Mentors are an exceptional resource who will be able to provide sage advice to you on a wide range of issues, including difficulties with fellow colleagues or career-growth opportunities.
Their seniority within the company will also give them intimate knowledge of its inner workings. Therefore, mentors are the best-placed individuals to advise you on how to approach your day-to-day activities in a manner that’s destined for success.
Let Your Actions Speak First
In today’s modern business culture, talk is becoming increasingly cheap.
Managers are much better at piercing holes in self-promotional proclamations in employee meetings and they’re increasingly rewarding employees based on a system of meritocracy, instead of legacy criteria such as length of service.
That’s why it’s so important to let your actions do the talking.
Your peers will notice the little things, such as getting in before everyone else, or staying late to finish an important project. If you lead by example, others will sit up and take notice. Marking you out as a future leader within the company.
Avoid Workplace Politics
A staggering 53% of workers think playing office politics could get them promoted. However, companies are realizing the monetary cost related to pretending to enjoy your manager’s anecdote.
The distraction caused by politicking and pandering within the workplace has been estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to cost companies $8,800 a year per employee.
As we’ve already eluded to, management has realized this is the case and so they’re actively looking for people that get on with the task at hand, rather than wasting time through buttering up senior colleagues in an effort to get ahead.
Getting your head down and producing serious measurable results is increasingly the fastest way to earn the respect and trust required for a promotion or a raise.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Whenever you take a new job, it’s important to hit the ground running.
One of the very first items on the agenda should to find out what both your colleagues and managers value within the workplace.
For instance, does your new boss value punctuality above all else?
If so, you can already identify that turning up late to work and missing deadlines are never an option if you want to succeed.
By taking time to understand who you are working for and who you are working with, you will already have answers to their questions before they’re even asked. Allowing you to be on the front foot, rather than constantly reeling from their requests.
This practice is also crucial in fostering healthy coworker relationships that will increase your productivity.
A recent Gallup study found that close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50% and people with a best friend at work are seven times more likely to engage fully in their work.
So make sure not to skip this important unofficial step of on-boarding.
Help Others to Grow
This is perhaps one of the most under appreciated aspects of making a successful and lasting impact in your new role.
No matter knowledgeable you are, no one will know unless you share that wisdom with others within the workplace setting. It’s also a false assumption that keeping useful information to yourself will help you to prosper.
In order to progress, you have to start developing a reputation for yourself as a leader in your particular field. To establish that reputation, you must spend time sharing your ideas and knowledge publicly.
Doing so not only helps others to grow and learn from you, but it establishes you as an expert on certain topics. By becoming your colleagues’ “go-to guy” for advice on certain subjects, you’re not only helping them out, you’re elevating yourself.
This strategy is what helped Chade-Meng Tan graduate from a low-level Google Engineer to their expert on mindfulness within the workplace.
He now runs Google’s world-famous Search Inside Yourself emotional intelligence program and has landed an international book deal off the back of his success.
Not a bad return for simply sharing his knowledge and ideas on mindfulness with his colleagues.
Recap
Starting a new position isn’t easy. Nor should it be.
You should think of it as a new challenge to prove to yourself and your new employers that you both made the right choice.
First on the agenda is singling out a potential mentor who can help you to integrate yourself into your new company’s culture as smoothly as possible, whilst providing advice and support further down the line.
Next, look to avoid getting involved in the minutiae of office politics and focus instead on delivering measurable results within your role. Spend time finding out what makes your bosses and fellow colleagues tick, so that you can match that output to their objectives.
Finally, share as much as possible, both up and down the chain of command. This will help to establish your reputation within the company which will fuel further progression and growth.
Best of luck!
Farley Ashby
Founder, Offer Accept
Recruiting Expert
If you would like help with your search for a new challenge, feel free to contact us at 305-910-2524 to discuss your career objectives.
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