Monday, January 28, 2013

7 Essential Habits To Survive Your First Month At Work


Are you just beginning your career?  Have you newly joined this company having served in  a different company? The following tips will help you adapt quickly to your new workplace and avoid unnecessary culture adjustment problems.

Understand Rules Of The Buddy System
There is company specific lingo and codewords you’ll be expected to learn in order to make friends with other people. Don’t ask anyone directly. They will neither  share or appreciate your curiosity. If you had similar experiences at school trying to blend in and making friends, the workplace is no different. If at all, your colleagues are far more competitive and insecure. So tread slowly and intelligently - Try to figure it out indirectly by befriending a senior over coffee.

Don’t Try To Be An Expert.
Your seniors have much more experience in the company and know how it functions. So, don’t try to be an expert. If you see problems with the way things are run, do not complain even to a polite colleague or senior because they are trying to figure you out just as you’re trying to figure them out! Complaints can wait at least till the end of the probationary period.

To Avoid Confusion and Misunderstanding Learn To Clarify and Rephrase

Try to solve technical, work-related issues without taking too much help from your seniors. Learn to clearly ask what you want from them or what they want from you in order to avoid unnecessary confusion. Rephrase before parting just to make sure both you and your co-worker are in agreement over the issue.

Figure Out The Correct Procedures Yourself
As far as possible, try to understand the rules and procedures without taking too much help from others. However, in case of exceptional circumstances like sexual misconduct or bullying, try contacting the HR or the designated Complaints cell or ask a polite senior about ‘the right procedure’.

Do Not Ask Advice From A Peer
Your colleague could be just as new as you and is equally inexperienced. Try to figure it out yourself, ask the HR or your team leader- in that order. Be polite but firm and try to be helpful. Find potential people who will look out for you in times of trouble and begin making inroads into creating relationships by taking them for coffee.

Stay Neutral. Don’t Create Groups Or Join One.
REMEMBER, you have joined the company to further your career. So focus on bettering your skills rather than ‘reforming’ the company or fellow individuals.

LEARN TO NOT COMPROMISE ON YOUR WEEKENDS
Come early, stay back late if necessary but never agree to work on weekends. Cite personal, family or medical problems if necessary. Offer to do the work during the weekdays by staying back late if necessary.

Weekends are for you to enjoy with friends and family. You have earned it!

Follow all the suggestions for a month and see the results for yourself. Let me know how it works out for you! Share any other tips or secrets you learnt.

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