Ace your first two weeks at work

Congratulations! You've landed a #newjob and you're ready to take on the world. Or are you? Starting a new job can be both thrilling and terrifying. You have the chance to grow your career, make new friends and contribute to something meaningful. But you also must deal with unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar people and unfamiliar expectations. I remember my first day at work at Etihad Airways, and I was shocked! Shocked because I had never seen a workplace that was so diverse, yet so cohesive.

So how can you make a good impression and succeed in your new workplace? Here are five tips that can help you survive (and thrive) in your new role, based on my experience.

1. Learn about the work environment. The first thing you should do when you join a new workplace is to get a feel for its vibe. How do people dress, talk and work together? What are the dos and don'ts of the office? How do they handle stress, conflict, and change? By observing and asking around, you can figure out how to blend in and avoid awkward or embarrassing situations. Hopefully you have someone to take you around and introduce you to the team. If not, find the courage to talk to someone and introduce yourself. You will notice that they would be more than willing to help you settle in.

2. Set new career goals. Another way to ease your transition is to set clear and realistic goals for your new role. What are your main duties and expectations? What are the short-term and long-term goals of your team and company? How will you track your progress and performance? By setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals, you can focus on what matters most and show your worth. Make sure you ask for the department updates and briefings, so that you can understand the business better. It helps big time!

3. Embrace the #companyculture. A key factor for success in any workplace is to align yourself with its mission, vision and values. What is the purpose of your company? What are its core beliefs and principles? How does it make a difference in the world? By embracing the company culture, you can show your passion, enthusiasm, and loyalty. Sometimes this can be a tricky one, depending on where you have worked before. OBSERVE and evaluate! It will help you to take the right steps

4. Don't hesitate to ask questions. This is extremely important and one of the best ways to learn in a new workplace is to ask questions. Don't be shy or afraid to seek clarification, guidance or feedback from your boss, co-workers, or mentors. Asking questions shows that you are curious, eager to learn and willing to improve. It also helps you avoid assumptions or mistakes that could affect your work quality or reputation. Having said that, you don’t need to ask all the questions on the same day ?? or it can be very daunting for the person on the other side. Take your time to understand things better.

5. Find out your Leader’s expectations. One of the most important relationships in any workplace is the one between you and your Leader. To build trust and rapport with your manager, you need to understand their expectations of you. How do they like to communicate with you? How often do they want updates or reports from you? How do they define success for your role? By finding out what your Leader expects from you, you can align your goals with theirs and meet or exceed their standards. This is very important. Ask questions like "In your opinion, what would you expect me to do to a high performer at the end of the year?"

And remember to have fun! Starting a new job can be stressful, but it can also be rewarding, exciting and fun. You have an opportunity to learn new things, meet new people and make an impact.

So enjoy the ride, be yourself and don't forget why You have selected to work here.?