New Kid on the Job
I ran across an article in this month’s issue of Black Enterprise and loved it. It isn’t available online yet, but I wanted to share anyway…
Entering a new job can be overwhelming. Below are three strategies to gain confidence from your potential clients, colleagues, and managers:
1. Learn the Corporate Culture
Before setting goals, learn your environment. Learn how employees conduct business and view success. Learn how the company rewards achievement.
Single Ma’s thoughts: Learning what the new organization values is key to your success. What was important at your last job may not be as important at your current job. Spend some time figuring out what’s important to those around you, then set your eye on the prize.
2. Build Your Network
Get to know the influencers within your company - immediately. Ask someone to lunch. Have drinks after work. Use this time to ask specific questions about the work environment. Build your network and start developing your reputation.
Single Ma’s thoughts: Assume everyone is equally important, never underestimate the power of a secretary and never assume an executive is well respected. Build allies above and below, but closely observe those who are on the fast track. Take mental notes on what it takes to make a name for yourself.
3. Organize Your Work Space
Communicate your eagerness to be a contributing member of the team, but always remain focused on your professional development. Employees tend to see further development for the job, but not their careers. Think of your new job as an assignment during which you are being paid to learn a new task and increase your experience level in case you must leave your job.
Single Ma’s Thoughts: The title of this one is odd, but the last sentence took the words right out of my mouth. I view every job as a learning opportunity that will prepare me for the next level.
As I embark on this new journey, I plan to consider the above tips. Learn the culture, build my network, and prepare for the next level. Yep, that’s my plan.
It may take a little while to get acclimated, but I can already tell what the organization values. As for my network, I’ve pegged a few I’d like to know better and a few have pegged me as someone they should know. Last but not least, considering the fast pace of the environment, I’ll have no problem gaining the experience I need for the next level. Consequently, formal classroom training may be a challenge. I’ll have to figure something out.
In the meantime and in between time, I’ve established 3 objectives based on my observations and documents I’ve reviewed so far. Two are related to process improvements and the other is related to career development. A department can’t ‘exceed’ goals without efficient processes and the quality of output is dependent upon a fully trained and capable staff. In a few months, I will make recommendations, get buy-in from leadership, and implement. That’s easy. Convincing others to embrace change without sparking World War III will be the greatest challenge, but I think I can handle it. Then I’ll use the experience to secure my next promotion.
One year baby. ONE YEAR. Trust me!
~*~*~*~*~*~Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!
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I like the points of the article. I would just add that using these strategies is not limited to starting a new job at another company. They are also useful if you switch departments in the same company as I did recently. I had to learn the culture of the my new department, which is very different from the department I left, network within it and set up my work area, so to speak. One should not assume that just because it is the same company, they are running the same playbook. We all know this, but it is worth repearting, I think.
BTW, remember the assignment from hell that never should have been mine?…my boss brought it up and admitted he gave it to me because he knew it would get done, which it did, even if I was complaining to my self almost the entire time.LOL
“Convincing others to embrace change without sparking World War III will be the greatest challenge, but I think I can handle it. Then I’ll use the experience to secure my next promotion.
One year baby. ONE YEAR. Trust me!”
^ i luv it when people are ambitious (in a positive way of course lol)!! such a great energy and very inspiring :D.
I’m leaving my company, but when I think of what it takes to move up in my company, I think of one person who recently moved from the same level as me (or close) in 2004, to manager in 2008. That is FAST for my tiny company, and she got her own office after 2 years, which is unprecedented. Everyone on my level and below was happy for her…until we had to *work* for her–she’s unrealistic, yells alot, and is a horrible manager. We all actually used to be close friends, but she’s so terrible at work (I am avoiding the B word), we now can’t stand to be around her unless we really have to. She lost all her friends and her boyfriend over this–he now works for her and hates her. Whew.
I don’t want to emulate her at all, even though she clearly is using the correct tactics to ‘move up’ in my company. Is it hard to move up without a role model/mentor? Most of the other managers are old, are lax, and have been in their position for the past twenty years–they no longer have to work hard, so they don’t. Boy am I glad I’m leaving!
I really like how Black Enterprise includes quality of life/quality of hustle articles in their magazine - one more reason why I’m a faithful subscriber!
Oh and one year - I believe you.
SingleMa, I admire your drive! I thank GOD I found your blog! I have learned so much and I look forward to reading it!
I really enjoy your blog. What do you do for a living?