It can be scary starting a new job. But know that everyone has been where you are, and being nervous is okay. Your work is just beginning, so now is the time to prepare for success and start on the right foot. Here are a few ideas that can point you in the right direction to set goals and make a good impression.
Focus on Your Onboarding
Focusing on the onboarding process can be critical to ensuring success in a new job. Start by clearly communicating with your manager. They can provide guidance and support throughout the process. Talk to them about setting goals and discussing your progress. Don’t be afraid to take initiative in your onboarding process. Set realistic goals for yourself during onboarding, and track your progress towards achieving them.
Ask to meet with colleagues, attend training sessions, and seek opportunities to learn more about the company and its culture. Learning about the company culture is critical to success in any new job. Pay attention to the values and norms important to the organization, and try to align your values and behaviors with those of the company. Finally, seek feedback regularly from your manager and colleagues. This can help you identify areas where you need to improve and provide the guidance and support you need to succeed.
Make Connections and Collaborate
Build relationships with your colleagues by getting to know your team members and learning about their roles and responsibilities. Collaborating with coworkers can help you learn more about the company, its culture, and the expectations for your role. It can also help you gain insight into the company’s processes and procedures and allow you to learn from more experienced colleagues.
Working with others in your business can expose you to new ideas and perspectives and help you develop new skills and knowledge. Collaboration means making meaningful contributions to projects, so you can build credibility and establish yourself as a valuable team member.
Set SMART Goals
Setting SMART goals can help you focus your efforts and achieve success in your new job. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Specific: Make sure your goals are clear and straightforward. Instead of “improve communication skills,” set a goal to “practice active listening and ask at least three thoughtful questions during team meetings.”
- Measurable: Set goals that can be measured. This lets you track your progress and know when you’ve achieved your goal. For example, instead of setting a goal to “be more productive,” set a goal to “increase sales by 10% in the next quarter.”
- Achievable: Set goals that you can accomplish. Don’t set goals that are unrealistic or outside of your control. Consider your skills, resources, and support network when setting goals.
- Relevant: Ensure your goals are relevant to your job and align with the company’s goals and mission. Setting appropriate goals will ensure that your efforts are focused on what matters most to your employer.
- Time-bound: Set a deadline for achieving your goals. This helps you stay focused and motivated and track your progress over time. Instead of planning to “improve customer satisfaction,” set a goal to “increase customer satisfaction ratings by 5% by the end of the quarter.”
Do you want to make a great impression in a new job? Call Hutco to see what we’re working on today.
