New on the Job?

Congratulations on your new gig (the thought of this makes me smile because I know some people do not really feel like they should be congratulated). Everybody gets to be new at something and while there's always a first time, not all first-timers enjoy 'first times'. There is excitement at the possibilities that could lie ahead, and there is the fear of getting it wrong as well as many other concerns. I've been new at a few things and would still be in the future so, I'll take my word as much as, if not more, than anyone else. Here are a few thoughts on what to do with 'First-time':

 

First, you should not be scared of making mistakes. No one should. This is not an excuse to churn out errors from your desk but it is a reason to try out new things within the limits of your office. The only person that would never make mistakes is the one that never tries; If you do not try, you will never learn, If you do not learn, you will never grow and of course, that's one very genuine reason for your company to let go of you.

 

"Contribute please"! That's the heart cry of anybody paying salaries; your boss is actually looking out for what you will say. It is to your own disadvantage to spill unintelligent or totally unrelated words in a meeting but then, to keep mute every time just because your simple contribution does not match up with your colleague's periphrasis, will kill your career. While it's fine not to have an opinion, there are plenty of ways to get one.

 

Growth is Life. Yeah, literally. If you do not grow, you will die out of your career. Take a course (there's a plethora of free courses out there), seek a mentor, and of course, read books. One more thing, talk to Senior colleagues who have a grip of what they're doing. Usually, they're still there because the Organization still needs them. If that's the case, they're worth talking to.

 

Intentional knowledge is crucial; It's more valuable than gold especially in this day when there's an explosion of knowledge on the Web. What you know must be relevant to your work, else you'll still be irrelevant. Tailor your learning; find out more about your Employer's line of business (Even if you're the Office Assistant, endeavor to at least, understand what Production does). The more you understand the business, the more likely you are to get a promotion or consideration.

 

Finally, as a new intake, you might be less busy than you hoped to be, usually because you're still learning and a lot has not been committed to you just yet. Take advantage of the time that you're not using. Observe your new space; take mental notes of the work culture and people culture. Details as little as whether Pidgin English is frequently used may be all the difference you need. Even though, it's never explicitly stated, nobody expects you to remain 'new' forever.

 

Source: Tolu Michaels

 

 

This is very helpful and insightful! Thank you so much.