4 Things to Remember When Starting a New Job
Across the country, kids are heading back to school. Along with new backpacks, shoes, teachers and classmates, they’re likely to feel a combination of excitement and nervousness.
It’s natural for students to feel some anxiety about beginning a new school year. Once they complete their education, they might think those days are behind them, yet there are still “first days” ahead. For adults, the “first day of school” becomes the first day of a new job.
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. In order to succeed both socially and professionally at a new job, you’ll want to put your best foot forward and involve the Lord every step of the way. I always found it helpful to remember these four things when setting out on a new adventure!
Understand the business.
No matter what position you’re in, be it entry level or C-level executive, the more you know about the company, the more effective you can be at aligning your contributions to the goals of the organization. Although you likely researched the business in preparing for the initial interview, a thirst for knowledge should continue now that you’ve been brought on board.
Spend time learning about the company and the culture. What are the company’s goals? What metrics are used to measure the company’s success and growth? Where is the organization headed in the next three to five years? Check out all the information on the company’s website, and if it is a public company, listen to the recordings of the last several quarterly telephone conferences the company’s executives have had with financial analysts. It’s also important to learn about the organization’s culture. How do people communicate with one another? Do certain teams work cross functionally? Show up the first day with a list of questions to ask your boss and colleagues that will help clarify what your role is and what is expected of you.
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15).
Accept the learning curve.
You won’t immediately know how to do every part of a new job (after all, it’s new!). No one expects you to be a pro immediately or to know everything about the business right away. Don't be afraid to ask questions to better understand the context of a task or process. It’s better to open your mouth and ask for clarity than to feel stressed or do something incorrectly. I was always impressed with people who asked questions, rather than blindly blundering along lost. It is much easier to meet or even exceed other’s expectations of you if you know what those expectations are. Don’t guess at them!
Eventually, you’ll adjust to the organization and feel comfortable. Each person moves through the "newbie” phase at a different pace, so give yourself a lot of grace, stay prayerful, and remember that change is hard for most people. Trust the Lord to carry you, and ask Him for favor, discernment, and endurance.
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).
Build positive relationships.
Aim to develop solid working relationships with team members at all levels of the organization, giving particular emphasis to the people with whom you’ll be working on a regular basis. Not only will building these relationships enhance your overall work experience, but it fosters trust, which leads to great teamwork and productivity.
Use every interaction to prove that not only are you a respectful, professional, and diligent worker, but you’re also someone they'll enjoy spending 40 (or more) hours a week with. While your new coworkers will be curious about you, be sure to take an interest in them also. Strive to understand their roles and how you can provide value and help them. Get to know them on a deeper, more personal level over time. Show by your actions and words that you care about them, and want to help them succeed (rather than coming across as a person just focused on propelling your own career).
Resist the urge to propose any changes right out of the gate. Show respect for the organization’s history and the people who have contributed by acknowledging the years of hard work it took them to get there.
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).
Let your light shine!
Our coworkers are some of the people we spend the most time with. So, enter your new workplace with a sense of intention to show Christ-like character in all that you do and speak. In trusting God to guide and direct your steps in life, that now includes this new opportunity, likely ordained by Him and given to you for His glory. As you settle into a new season of your career, look for ways to put your faith into action.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Remember that this will most likely not be your last job, and you will move on at some point. Between now and that time, work on how you want to be remembered and what positive impact you want to have on others. The page is blank, and you now have the ability to write the story of what people will remember about you. I once heard it said, “People will seldom remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” Take this opportunity that God has given you to represent the Lord to others as His ambassador in your words and actions, and show others how much you truly care about them. Now that is a legacy that is worth pursuing!
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