Starting a new job...
17 December 2012
Read by 1832 persons
Starting a new job...
...is always an important moment in our lives. A time when everything will be new: colleagues, projects, procedures, rhythms, ambitions…
Here are five basic rules to simplify your start.
1. Establish regular working hours.
While working hours should be specified in the employment contract, there's a difference between theory (the agreement/contract) and reality, especially in large organizations.
Set general working hour rules as soon as you arrive. Understand the exceptions. Don't confuse flexibility with laxity: if there's a heavy workload and it's exceptional, you can agree to work later, under certain conditions, to be determined/negotiated with your supervisor.
2. Get your administrative paperwork in order.
This may seem trivial, but poorly handled paperwork can destabilize the entire organization and delay your start. Verify that your employer has all the necessary information about you and that all your documents are in order – these will allow you to be paid and registered with the various funds, your insurance, etc.
Also, make sure you have the correct expense reimbursement forms, for example. These details are important; while they may seem insignificant, the best way to get started quickly is to address these issues and solve them.
3. Define your scope of work.
Versatility is fashionable. Being competent in various areas is always valued, but remember you were hired for a specific task and well-defined skills. It's important that there are no misunderstandings, unclear areas, or doubts, neither for you nor your colleagues. Your role must be clear, concise, and known to those who will work alongside you. So, talk about what you do and specify your skillset as soon as possible.
Also, from the start, ask for any clarifications you need to begin. Don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind, even those that seem irrelevant. The goal is to know your exact role and for others to perceive it clearly and accurately.
4. Understand your leeway.
Nobody appreciates being reprimanded. It's useful to define your area of operation. What are you allowed to do, and what should you avoid?
Upon arrival, make a mental list of daily dos and don'ts: Where can I smoke? Do employees sometimes eat lunch at their computers? Etc. The list can be long, but take the time to integrate naturally into your new environment.
5. Adapt to your surroundings.
To feel comfortable in your environment, inspect and "master" both the physical and human aspects. In other words, you need to adapt to your space. The material environment happens more or less automatically. It's a matter of time and patience. Regarding the human dimension, "test" your professional partners by trying to understand what bothers them, how they perceive teamwork, or simply working in the same open space… Your observations will help you understand who's who (generally speaking, of course) and adapt to each person.
Didn't Edouard Claparède claim that "the function of intelligence is to ensure adaptation"?
Article written by The ReKrute.com Team
...is always an important moment in our lives. A time when everything will be new: colleagues, projects, procedures, rhythms, ambitions…
Here are five basic rules to simplify your start.
1. Establish regular working hours.
While working hours should be specified in the employment contract, there's a difference between theory (the agreement/contract) and reality, especially in large organizations.
Set general working hour rules as soon as you arrive. Understand the exceptions. Don't confuse flexibility with laxity: if there's a heavy workload and it's exceptional, you can agree to work later, under certain conditions, to be determined/negotiated with your supervisor.
2. Get your administrative paperwork in order.
This may seem trivial, but poorly handled paperwork can destabilize the entire organization and delay your start. Verify that your employer has all the necessary information about you and that all your documents are in order – these will allow you to be paid and registered with the various funds, your insurance, etc.
Also, make sure you have the correct expense reimbursement forms, for example. These details are important; while they may seem insignificant, the best way to get started quickly is to address these issues and solve them.
3. Define your scope of work.
Versatility is fashionable. Being competent in various areas is always valued, but remember you were hired for a specific task and well-defined skills. It's important that there are no misunderstandings, unclear areas, or doubts, neither for you nor your colleagues. Your role must be clear, concise, and known to those who will work alongside you. So, talk about what you do and specify your skillset as soon as possible.
Also, from the start, ask for any clarifications you need to begin. Don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind, even those that seem irrelevant. The goal is to know your exact role and for others to perceive it clearly and accurately.
4. Understand your leeway.
Nobody appreciates being reprimanded. It's useful to define your area of operation. What are you allowed to do, and what should you avoid?
Upon arrival, make a mental list of daily dos and don'ts: Where can I smoke? Do employees sometimes eat lunch at their computers? Etc. The list can be long, but take the time to integrate naturally into your new environment.
5. Adapt to your surroundings.
To feel comfortable in your environment, inspect and "master" both the physical and human aspects. In other words, you need to adapt to your space. The material environment happens more or less automatically. It's a matter of time and patience. Regarding the human dimension, "test" your professional partners by trying to understand what bothers them, how they perceive teamwork, or simply working in the same open space… Your observations will help you understand who's who (generally speaking, of course) and adapt to each person.
Didn't Edouard Claparède claim that "the function of intelligence is to ensure adaptation"?
Article written by The ReKrute.com Team
