Advice for success starting out in a new job

Steamfitter

Steamfitter

New member
Okay, I have struggled in the past because I wasn't exactly happy doing what I was doing for work (I made a thread about switching careers), but, I recently landed what is pretty much my dream job with a major international corporation. I am beyond elated to have this job, and it is truly a dream come true to finally get it (I have been applying for a job like this for years unsuccessfully). I have just finished my first week with them.

Any tips to make it through my first 6 months or so? I am just focussed on passing my probation, and going from there. I am more of an introvert, so I find it's often best to keep your mouth shut and just smile instead of saying something unnecessary or that could be misinterpreted. I have a lot of training that I'm going through (probably literally 3 months worth) before I do much actual work. I just made it through week 1, but I am still nervous as I don't want to do anything that could possibly jeopardize my chances.

Any tips for success?
 
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Be humble.
Be kind.
Have a positive presence and gravitate towards the positive successful people.
Be interested and learn with the goal of being the best at what you do.
Be open to constructive criticism and advise.
Don't get caught up in workplace politics.
Make max contribution to the 401k.
Be respectful and don't judge people. You don't walk in their shoes or know the challenges they have.
 
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Sounds like you have a good grasp on things.

Do the training the best you can, stay away from any/all politics, show up early (but not obnoxiously early), be polite and do your job!

It's really a social thing, it's best to feel out every situation and work through it.

When I have meetings with management, I'll find a way to ensure they're OK with everything and make any corrective actions that might be needed.
 
Take advantage of the training you are being offered, and try to find a mentor if possible to help you with the specifics once you get launched into the workplace. A lack of training has made the last year at my new company a living hell, which is why I am working with a recruiter again.
 
All of the above are good.

I find that some of the most important skills new employees (& Sr) are expected to excel at in our company are:
* Following up on tasks and completing them in a very timely manner
* Being available and responding to people
* Offering to help people when they need it; we are all one team
* Prioritizing your tasks appropriately so the most important ones are completed first
* And again, keeping track of all tasks methodically and completing them when or before they are due

Doing this isn't easy for most people but if you can do it I think you would be in a good spot. The above logic applies to many many positions, not just project managers. From coders, to executives, to sales, to customer service, doing the above is necessary.
 
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I would say that staying out of office politics is directly proportional to the gender demographics of the organization you are in. At times it is unavoidable even necessary but should be avoided if not beneficial to you, lol. Best advice, do your job and keep your head down.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
 
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Talk less, listen more.

Don't EVER say "that's not my job".

Be careful what you write in emails......leave any emotion out......stay professional.......stick to facts (actual ones.....not opinions unless you are asked to or expected to provide it).......assume every email you send will become public knowledge


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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hikenbike said:
Talk less, listen more.

Don't EVER say "that's not my job".

Be careful what you write in emails......leave any emotion out......stay professional.......stick to facts (actual ones.....not opinions unless you are asked to or expected to provide it).......assume every email you send will become public knowledge


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Or in other words, do everything exactly the opposite of people on internet forums!
 
I think people are summing it up nicely. There is a fine line between success and mediocrity. Answer your phone, get back to people, be a team player, do what's right for the customer, do what's right for your company, be positive, don't participate in workplace gossip/negativity.

Once you have all the common sense stuff figured it, you should watch Art Williams "Just Do It" speech.
 
Once you have all the common sense stuff figured it, you should watch Art Williams "Just Do It" speech.
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I hate that speech. Nothing against you dude or hard work. All the sales guys at the companies I've worked love that clip. I almost think it is insulting to have a millionaire tell everyone that the secret to bring a millionaire is to just go do it. While I think the logic applies to some people who work for a living and need a kick in the ass, I don't think there is a logical, clear or simple path for most of the audience to just "do their way" to becoming a $150,000, $250,000, $500,000 employee. Study petroleum engineering, get a master's degree and have no debt somehow. That's a path. For the rest of us, well it is isn't that easy.

I personally like the Any Given Sunday clip much more because it is about the team.

Here is a Just Do It speech, Shia style....
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VAVLOHbqWd4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Here is the Art Williams speech ...
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G05QtiHP1lI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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BrianSD_42 said:
I hate that speech. Nothing against you dude or hard work. All the sales guys at the companies I've worked love that clip. I almost think it is insulting to have a millionaire tell everyone that the secret to bring a millionaire is to just go do it. While I think the logic applies to some people who work for a living and need a kick in the ass, I don't think there is a logical, clear or simple path for most of the audience to just "do their way" to becoming a $150,000, $250,000, $500,000 employee. Study petroleum engineering, get a master's degree and have no debt somehow. That's a path. For the rest of us, well it is isn't that easy.
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That was the point of throwing it in at the end. Get the common sense stuff figured out (which really is uncommon for most employees) and then give yourself a kick in the butt by watching the Art Williams clip.

If you interpret that speech as suggesting "If I just do it I'll become a millionaire," then the point was missed. I don't think he's suggesting that at all and uses all kinds of examples of what differentiates the best from the rest. When you talk to execs, VP's etc, Art is right about a lot of things. It's a difference in mentality and perceptions. They wanted it just a tad more, gave it a little bit more. Many aren't shy about it- they are not there just because they are smart and a really nice person. I have found in my young career that many people come across as really REALLY good at what they do, but what I have also found is that many are really good at talking about doing it or how it should be done, but can they REALLY do it? It has been an interesting observation. I look at some successful people in my network and at face value I would tend to not expect their success, but now I get it.

Another example is the book "Think and Grow Rich." Same sort of idea.
 
I definitely agree with the positive attitude and that it is a good idea to surround yourself with those who have a positive growth mindset and not negativity.

Still, in my business when you have a bunch of engineers who make good money but the CEO still gets paid 500x as much and then after working a 50 hour workweek get sent a video (by management) saying "just do it" to become rich, well it rubs some people the wrong way.

Just my opinion. That is all.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
I definitely agree with the positive attitude and that it is a good idea to surround yourself with those who have a positive growth mindset and not negativity.

Still, in my business when you have a bunch of engineers who make good money but the CEO still gets paid 500x as much and then after working a 50 hour workweek get sent a video (by management) saying "just do it" to become rich, well it rubs some people the wrong way.

Just my opinion. That is all.
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To be in positions like CEO, that probably hundreds or thousands of other people could do and would do if given the chance, you basically need the gift of gab. Charisma, who you know, and what you can do with your mouth (you can take that any way you want) are the qualities that tend to get you those jobs. There are a lot of pretty ruthless people who are bent on climbing the ladder by any means necessary, and they can have it as far as I'm concerned. I'm just happy to be comfortable, make good money, have a more secure job and be treated like a human being.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
Still, in my business when you have a bunch of engineers who make good money but the CEO still gets paid 500x as much and then after working a 50 hour workweek get sent a video (by management) saying "just do it" to become rich, well it rubs some people the wrong way.
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Steamfitter said:
To be in positions like CEO, that probably hundreds or thousands of other people could do and would do if given the chance, you basically need the gift of gab. Charisma, who you know, and what you can do with your mouth (you can take that any way you want) are the qualities that tend to get you those jobs. There are a lot of pretty ruthless people who are bent on climbing the ladder by any means necessary, and they can have it as far as I'm concerned. I'm just happy to be comfortable, make good money, have a more secure job and be treated like a human being.
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I'm the first in line when the discussion starts about pay disparity between executives and workers, even white collar workers, but I definitely wouldn't say that CEOs are in a job that everyone can do. I always had the opinion that I would be a great CEO, until I started working with VPs, Ps, and Cs in enterprise sized businesses. Understanding how to optimize processes and drive business decisions with data is definitely a skill and one that is very demanding. There is a reason why they don't know about engineering, etc. They spend all of their time looking at the big picture and analyzing data on how to move the company forward.

My advise:
  • Learn the language, every company uses slightly different wording to describe the same thing. What my previous job would have called man-hours my current job calls bandwidth and cycles.
  • Read your company's literature, like press releases and technical documentation. The company is being steered in one direction or another and the literature will reflect that in subtle ways. Using the company tagline or voice when you communicate with people in the company makes a big impression.
  • Make doing business the priority. Figure out what it is you do to make your company money and prioritize that over everything else, including your job, existing processes, your ego, etc.
  • Don't waste good (Gibbs Rule). If there are people around you with skills or abilities, use them to get the job done and learn from them to increase your own abilities.
 
Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" when asked a question, best to follow that up with "I will find out and get back to you." But don't try to bullshit your way through an answer.

Never answer that question with "I don't know" a second time.
 
wcjeep said:
Something I learned in the military. If you are not early, you're late. Always be slightly early.
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I agree. Always show up on time and a little early if possible. Don't be the first to leave at the end of the day.

That said, don't be a kiss-ass. Don't wander around the hallways without some kind of document in your hand. Walk with a purpose. Don't be a rat.
 
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