NICE TO MEET YOU or the First Day at new Job

Starting new work is always a stress. You will have not only to grasp all features of the profession but also, that is not less important, to establish good relationships with the colleagues. This process can be substantially simplified, by observing some rules.

In the first day you must become acquainted with all colleagues who work the same room with you. It would be great, if you manage to make the acquaintance with some people from other departments of the company or from other offices of the building within three-four days. It will allow you not to feel alone and ever "new".

Among the colleagues, sitting closer to you, select one or two, whom it is possible to turn to with a question. Probably, it will not be possible to avoid this. Of course, nobody is going to teach you how to work, but they won't refuse to give a piece of advice. At the same time you should not focus on even the most obliging and nice workers. You have no idea in fact, on how well they stand with the authority and whether somebody of them possesses the title of the honoured intriguer.

It will not be right to say that for the introvert it is more difficult to adapt, than for the extravert. Each has his own different from another situation, and by the way any of them can become a leader. But women adapt more difficult. The reason is in the social roles: A man always has been a «worker and bread-winner», and a woman has been a keeper of the family hearth foremost. Your marital status will be one of the first things asked about you, and tidiness and care about the comfort will be expected from you by the others. Though you are going to enjoy the leniency with you as a woman.

It may sound strange enough, but the first thing your new colleagues usually look at, is not your professional skills, but the moral and spiritual qualities of you as a person, who has come into a «new family». Integration into the group usually takes place during the first month, when you study to be a skilled specialist in this industry. And the first month decides everything.

So, you have been taken on as a new specialist. You have no subordinate workers, only chiefs. There are colleagues and those, whom you will have to contact with rarer, namely system administrators, people from the book-keeping and personnel departments, and many others.

1 First of all you need to be all ears and eyes. Try to notice everything, the rules, the traditions in the group. Be quiet (and listen) in order not to miss something important;

2 Introduce yourself to those, who do not know you. In fact not only you get to know the group but also they need to know you. Try to memorize the names of all colleagues, and also the exact names of all positions (alternatively, you can write them down, if there are too many people around).

3 Apply for help to those, who recently settled down on work - yesterday's newcomer will always understand and support you.

4 Do not be afraid to ask questions! On the first stage you may certainly need the help of colleagues. Show the sincere interest, but never fawn.

5 Find out your direct duties and tasks and memorize everything that refers to them (as much as possible). But don't bother your group-mates! Ask them, where you can find the necessary documents and information and to study them independently. Keep practice.

6 Do not try to prove that you can do something, simply do your work. Do it with the high-quality (if you do not know something, learn, but never say that you "can't" or "this is not part of my duties"

7. Do not leave home earlier then other (this is the first sign of diligence).

Hereby remember that you came here to work in the first place, and not to make new friends, and it is impossible to please everyone at once.

If you have a feeling, that there is not so much work at the moment, however do not sit doing nothing. Make the detailed time schedule or outline your ideas. It may be useful to write the daily reports during the first time. You will always have an extra argument for the chef and critics.

Another widespread problem is when the newcomer does not know, what to start from, because of the difference in the chiefs' instructions. There is only one way out - to apply the common sense and to assort the tasks according to how urgent and important it is for your department directly.

Do not effort to work on the peak of your abilities. Now both your colleagues and bosses keep their eye on you. If after a trial period the quality of your work strongly goes down (and it will happen inevitably, if now you are overtoiling), it is going to be the unpleasant surprise for them. Just do not aim to prove that you are a priceless employee, simply make your business.

Last but not least, remember that not only the company "tests" you, but also you must estimate, if you want to work here or you need to think of another place.