You’re in your first week of your new job. How can you make a great impression on your boss? Whether you’re an intern, a new hire, or a career changer, you want to show that you’re a valuable addition to the team and that you can facilitate collaboration and communication. Here are some tips to help you succeed in your new role.
The first thing you need to do is to clarify what your boss expects from you. What are your main tasks, goals, and deadlines? How do they prefer to communicate and receive feedback? What are their priorities and challenges? Ask questions, listen carefully, and take notes. This will help you avoid misunderstandings, align your work with their vision, and demonstrate your interest and initiative.
In my experience, it's always been helpful to have a 1-1 with your line manager in week 1. If this hasn't been scheduled for you, ask for it! It's also important to understand your ways of working. Being organised is key here so you are able to raise requests for any tools that you might require to be autonomous in your role. Be proactive in your learning... For example, coming from a background in recruitment, I always like to look at campaigns of the last quarter so I am able to understand the capabilities of the those involved in recruitment.
You also want to establish a positive relationship with your colleagues. They are your allies, mentors, and sources of information. Introduce yourself, learn their names and roles, and show respect and appreciation. Find out how they work together, what their norms and values are, and how you can support them. Engage in small talk, share something about yourself, and join social activities. This will help you create trust, rapport, and a sense of belonging.
In my experience, you have to be proactive here. Colleagues around the business are usually very busy and if you don't ask, you won't get. I always find it easier to speak with colleagues at a similar level of yourself within the business, so book that teams call, grab someone for a quick chat whilst making a coffee and keep it simple. What do you do in the company. If your company uses internal media like Yammer for example, join as many groups as you can engaging in employee led forums from day 1. They are great places to network and demonstrate your commitment to the wider objectives of the company, from day 1.
You’re bound to make some mistakes and face some challenges in your first week. Don’t let that discourage you or damage your confidence. Instead, treat them as learning opportunities and show that you’re open to feedback and improvement. Ask for help when you need it, admit your errors, and apologize if necessary. Learn from your mistakes, ask for suggestions, and implement them. This will help you grow, adapt, and impress your boss.
It's humble to show humility when you are wrong and being engaged in lessons learned is key for your own development. When you are a new starter, we can often be eager to show of our skills however, it's key to remember that businesses have different procedures even though they might be aiming to achieve the same goals from your previous experience. Be innovative and proactive but, until you are completely competent in your role, make sure you run it by your line manager first.
While you’re learning the ropes, don’t forget to showcase your skills and contributions. You have something unique and valuable to offer to the team and the organization. Identify your strengths, passions, and areas of expertise. Share your ideas, insights, and perspectives. Volunteer for tasks, projects, or roles that suit your skills and interests. Deliver quality work, meet deadlines, and exceed expectations. This will help you stand out, add value, and boost your reputation.
Make sure you have a voice in meetings and don't be scared to ask "the stupid question." You will usually find that seniors applaud this as you are showing a keen interest in getting up to speed. After all, you're not expected to know everything after week 4. Volunteering for side projects which you are confident in your ability to deliver will help you stand out. CONFIDENT being the most important adjective here, you don't want to be making avoidable mistakes. Try not to take on too many independent tasks if possible though. I would also encourage team projects as this will help you to demonstrate your abilities to meet deadlines and strengths amongst your counterparts.
One of the best ways to make a great impression on your boss is to seek feedback and recognition. Feedback helps you understand your performance, progress, and areas of improvement. Recognition helps you feel appreciated, motivated, and rewarded. Ask your boss for regular feedback, both positive and constructive. Express your gratitude, acknowledge your achievements, and celebrate your successes. This will help you reinforce your strengths, address your weaknesses, and enhance your relationship with your boss.
We all get caught up in our day to day responsibilities so it's important for you to acknowledge your achievements, especially if you have gone above and beyond. In my experience, we often don't celebrate each other enough so start a trend. Give thanks for support, celebrate successes of others around you and don't be scared to ask for feedback. I've always found that having regular 1-1's work for me. Once you put it in writing, your back on track so having some scheduled time will help you to remain focussed on your development.
Finally, you want to show your boss that you’re eager to learn and grow in your new job. Learning and growing are essential for your personal and professional development. They also show that you’re proactive, curious, and ambitious. Seek new opportunities, challenges, and experiences. Take courses, read books, or attend webinars. Seek mentors, coaches, or peers who can guide you. Set goals, track your progress, and update your boss. This will help you expand your skills, knowledge, and potential.