Lessons from Lockdown: Starting a new job

I must start by saying I have been incredibly fortunate during the current situation. Both myself and my partner can continue working (he’s classed as a key worker and I am able to work from home). The situation could have been very different and significantly more challenging.  The lockdown has given me the opportunity to learn new skills (I am a dab hand at DIY now), the space to re-evaluate my priorities, pick up some new hobbies (I’ve become addicted to jigsaw puzzles) and the chance to meet (and support) my neighbours after 6 years of living in the self-imposed isolation of selfishness.   It’s also given me the motivation and inspiration to tick something off my long standing to do list – to write an article on LinkedIn.

On 30th March, one week after lockdown commenced, I started a new job. I’d been working at a small but innovative university in Wales for 6 ? years and moved to a much larger, more complex university in England.  This was a big change – one which excited and inspired me but also came with trepidation and anxiety. It wasn’t just changing my working pattern (longer commute so no longer able to work consolidated hours) but it meant starting from scratch – new regulatory system, new organisation, new funding bodies, new financial models, new colleagues and going into a brand-new department. I was nervous before lockdown but at least I had a plan - the pandemic threw my plan out of the window. So, after two months in my new role, in lockdown the whole time, what advice would I give to someone starting a new job in this ‘new normal’? 

1)     Be Kind!

One of the hardest parts was not being able to say a proper goodbye to many colleagues and to let them know in person how much of a difference they had made to me and how much I valued working with them. Don’t let lockdown take that away, connect with former colleagues virtually, say thank you, remain grateful and stay positive – but most of all be kind to yourself, your new and former colleagues and to anyone else you encounter along the way. 

2)      Focus on your relationships

One of the best bits about a new job, for me, is meeting new people and working out how the organisation (and its people) tick. While doing this virtually doesn’t suit everybody, it doesn’t mean you can’t reach out. I have been very lucky to have some fantastic new colleagues who have helped introduce me around and helped me work out who can answer some of my (very many) questions. Take the time to get to know your colleagues, join a network or participate in other informal, semi-social activities organised by your workplace.

3)     Ask lots of questions

This one seems a little trite as what else would you do when starting a new role, but you’d be surprised how intimidating it can be when you are doing it from your living room. The adage ‘there is no such thing as a stupid question’ doesn’t seem to ring true when it’s in black & white (or in Teams chat where many others can read it!). Everyone knows what it feels like to start a new job and many can’t imagine doing it in the current climate so your colleagues wont judge – in fact, now is the time to ask as many stupid questions as you can!

4)     Have a plan

Work out a plan of action for who you want to meet with, what you want to learn and then set about making it happen. Again, seems a bit trite as what else would you do when starting a new job but remember that colleagues are dealing with their own challenges, whether personal or work related and you (and your plan) are probably at the bottom of their list- so make sure to include some tasks that you don’t need anyone else’s input to complete. Take the opportunity to get all your mandatory online training out of the way, read the strategic documents for your new organisation, board minutes, policies and procedures and even the financial statements. These are the things that you usually plan to do when you start a new role, but never quite get around to finishing! 

5)     Don’t be too hard on yourself!

The ‘new normal’ is challenging enough for people who have been in the organisation for years and have built up strong relationships – you haven’t and that’s ok. Don’t expect to understand the organisation in the first few weeks, make them a million in the first month or land a key client straight away – it’s great if you do but it’s also ok if you don’t.  Try to remember that there is a reason they hired you – that reason doesn’t disappear just because you can’t sit at ‘your’ desk!

And for those of you who are welcoming new colleagues to your ‘virtual’ workplace, extend a virtual hand and welcome them in. Bear in mind that they have just made a significant change in their lives and may be insecure, nervous or anxious about the change. Let them know there are no stupid questions, you are available if they want to talk or have a ‘virtual’ coffee and most of all – be kind!