7 Strategies to Survive Your New Job

By Dan Sprumont, Jessica Franklin and Jordan Mitrik

Professionals are changing jobs at higher rates than ever before. With every job change comes the excitement of new opportunities, new people and a new environment. But let’s be honest. With every change also comes the anxiety of new challenges, new politics and new expectations. Don’t panic – you were hired for a reason. Your new team believes in your skill set and liked your personality enough to commit to a long-term relationship. Starting fresh at a new company can be freeing. However, there is no second chance for a first impression, so use these seven insights to make the most of your first days on the job.

1. Take copious notes

Legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino emphasizes organization and preparation in his book Success is a Choice. Taking notes in every meeting, on every new process and on every new term will be unbelievably valuable as you navigate your new role. Organize the notes you take, document offline conversations via emails and prepare for the next project or conversation using your new knowledge.

2. Learn your new industry & company lingo

This can be achieved via a two step process. First, Google every industry term you hear and stay up-to-date on industry news. Second, ask coworkers for a list of company terms and acronyms. If you show a desire to learn, people are usually quite happy to help.

3. Learn the hierarchy

Before you appear insubordinate to a superior or accidentally ask the CEO to move their meeting to a different conference room (haha… funny story), get familiar with the company hierarchy and key players. Learn how your role fits into the established culture and framework. Then identify opportunities to create value within that framework.

4. Share knowledge strategically

PR and marketing professionals must stay current with changing tactics, technology and customer needs. As you digest new information, share relevant articles with your team. If an information rich eBook or white paper finds its way to your inbox, study the content in depth and share the most valuable insights in conversations with your superiors.

5. Set expectations appropriately

You might be the first social media specialist that your new company has ever hired. Or your boss doesn’t understand the time, resources and budget needed for that new enterprise system. Before saying yes to every request, learn the expectations of your role and set new expectations appropriately. New employees often bite off more than they can chew by trying to please every new colleague they work with. Be helpful, be productive, but be careful.

6. Give praise, take responsibility

There are many bricks that build a strong leader. A great foundation is the ability to give praise when things go well and accept responsibility when things do not. If a project does not meet its goals, accept responsibility for your deliverable, analyze the results and provide options for improving future iterations. Conversely, praise all team members for their pieces of a project when it is a rousing success.

7. Smile!

It’s as simple as it sounds. Happiness is contagious. Go share some and go rock that new job!

Image source: giphy.com