Starting a Job – Tips

Why is this so important?

Never underestimate the power of first impressions. It's a psychological imprint of people around you. Several years later you'll find that your first moves at a job, whether spectacular successes or dismal mistakes, will still be remembered.

The level of your ambition is read by others in the first few months or even weeks if it's a contract assignment. What do you want to accomplish at this job, for yourself?

It's a small world, and getting smaller. Three assignments later, someone somewhere will check an unauthorized reference from some place where you used to work. Remember – it's been shown that there’s only 6-7 degrees of separation between people.

Perception

The quality of your work is only a part of your success in imprinting the people around you. The quality of your work might be 50% of a first impression; the second 50% is the perception that you do quality work.

For example, if you are starting a position where the hours are flexible, make sure you choose your shift and stick to it. We’ve seen many people lose jobs or get in trouble because they are in 7-3, then the next day 9-6. The morning folks think you are late and the afternoon people think you are leaving early. Communication and consistency are key!

Another example is missing deadlines. Make sure you are communicating the status of your work. Over-communication on project status is never a bad thing. It's ok to miss deadlines if the cause if the delay is valid. If you don't speak up, you'll be completely at fault when the truth comes to light. Always give details when asked about your work. Never say “it's fine;” rather say (for example), “I've completed 40% of the modules and am now working on planning the design of the other four, and I'm on target to finish in time.” Use the what/where/when/how/why test. Give details.

Do’s and Dont's

DO be genuine, but also consciously engaging your new team in small talk. Weather, travel, sports, clothes, traffic, pets, jewelry, food are all safe topics. Make it brief, 2-4 minutes tops. Don’t get the reputation of the “chatty Cathy.”

DO consider answering the question “How are you?” It’s a great conversation starter. Again, if you say “fine,” the result is an awkward silence. Try things like “I'm great, but pretty depressed about the Lions.” Or, “Great! I got a good night’s sleep. I think my dog is finally making it through the night.”

DO know how to close a conversation. One of the best ways is body language; gather your documents, move slowly, stand up, turn your body another direction. This works well if you are kidnapped in your cubicle. Gather some items and slowly stand up and leave your cubicle. Usually the person will assume you have to go to the kitchen or bathroom or a meeting and walk away. If the conversation is on the phone, try setting up a new time to talk. For example “Hey I’ve got to run and go do something quick, can we talk again at 3?”

DO study, study, study. Polish up what you said you knew in your resume and interviews. You might think you have a really strong knowledge of something, but if you have not worked with it in six months you'll be rusty. Humility and review here is the best policy. You’re the new guy – make sure you know all the basics and all the bells and whistles of your job – cold.

DO make sure you have 0 transportation issues and that you can get to work and back easily and at the convenience of your workload and management, not your “shift” hours.

DO research your new company as much as possible on the net. Google the company. Read their press releases. Don't be caught ignorant of something important.

DO observe coworkers' habits and routines. Do they go out to lunch every day? Who eats at their desk? Rule: If asked to lunch, go! Even if you brought your lunch, had a date with your wife, or aren't hungry. Observe the unspoken routines and follow them appropriately.

DO dress appropriately upscale for the first week. After that you'll know if you need to upgrade or downgrade.

DO learn to use cubicle-voice. Don't whisper, and don't speak too loud. If you want to speak about personal issues, take a walk down the hall.

DO bring a couple of personal items for your desk the second week. Pictures, a calendar, an award, a candy dish; anything to personalize your space.

DON'T rely on the internet or books or other reference sources to look up what you don’t remember. Be sure to be able to answer technical questions in a meeting; review the basics of what you know! You can be confident you can walk the walk; but you must be able to come across as being able to “talk the talk.”

DON'T have 20 friendly conversations in the space of 2 hours.

DON'T speak negatively about anything in your life.

DON'T complain about office environmental issues (the chair, the wall, the a/c) until 60-90 days have passed and you've shown your value and have leverage.

DON'T bring over-elaborate, pungent items for lunch at your desk, unless you are eating in a cafeteria.

DON'T call in sick, period. Take over the counter medication if you must; but go to work. If you make it to work and need to go home sick, that’s a better impression than calling in. IF you MUST call in sick, make sure you use the phone and speak directly to your superior. Don’t email, and don’t leave voice mail. Get a hold of someone important, and live.

DON'T over-communicate about yourself. Ask others about themselves but don’t make the topic of conversation be you and your life, even if asked. It's true that psychologically, people will feel closer and like you better if you are a good listener.

DON'T be scared to be honest about what you don’t know. It's ok to be willing to say “I don’t know” if it's a subject you never claimed to know.

DON'T bring up subjects or ideas on tangents to show your knowledge. If you have an idea or a thought that you feel might be relevant, speak up. Stay focused on the subject and not on yourself. Write down ideas and approach coworkers later for feedback.

DON'T over celebrate successes at first, and don’t over-commiserate either. You just don’t know yet some of the politics behind the scenes.

DON'T schedule routine doctor appointments or dentist visits during your first 90 days on a job. Reschedule what you can.

DO! Look busy. Ask for work. Don’t stand around. Don't make ANY personal calls. Turn your cellphone OFF. ASK for feedback. Let people do small favors for you; it gives them a good feeling and creates a bond. NO daycare issues. NO weather issues. NO personal use of the web or computer. DON'T refuse any training. DO listen and nod, even when someone is explaining something you think you already know. DON'T comment on politics.

And DON’T….ask for a raise =)