You finally got the job, and you are starting your new job soon or have already started, and now you are wondering: How can I show up fully? Or how can I prove myself in my job?
These are normal and valid questions to ask yourself. As an HR professional with over 10 years of experience, I can tell you these are normal questions new hires have and face as they navigate the transition into their new jobs.
In this blog post, I will share 3 tips for succeeding at work, even when it feels overwhelming.
3 Simple ways to achieve success in your first job
These tips are as follows:
Learn to manage your time and increase your productivity
When you start a new job, it is important to learn as much as you can, and as quickly as you can, so you can produce results faster and more effectively. This can help your employer see you in a more positive light and assure them that they made the right choice in hiring you.
Employers understand that there is a learning curve when starting a new role; however, if you want to make a great first impression as a new employee, your best strategy is to learn as much as you can in as little time as possible so you can deliver results faster than your employer expects.
You need to become like a sponge, absorbing all the information and feedback you receive from your peers and superiors. Start by becoming aware of your learning style and your time-management strategies.
When I was in university, I learned that I was a visual and auditory learner and that I learn best by listening to and seeing information. One strategy for me has been to recite information aloud, as it helps me learn the information faster. By doing this, what used to take me 3 hours to learn was reduced to 1.5 hours by aligning my learning strategy with my learning style. This technique helped me deliver two TEDx talks: one in English at TEDxSunsetBeach Youth in Vancouver, and one in Spanish at TEDxWilmington Salon in Wilmington, Delaware, in the US.
Through this learning and time-management strategy, I reduced the ramp-up time for my first work term as a new hire from 2 months to 1 month. I learned how to stay organized, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines without feeling overwhelmed, while still delivering quality work.
Stay Curious, ask questions, and understand the why
As new hires, we have the advantage of bringing new ways of thinking and fresh blood into an organization. When you are learning the ropes of your new role, stay curious and ask, Why?
“Why is it done this way?”
“Why does this process have to be done in a certain way?”
“Why is the documentation saved and gathered in a particular way?”
When you understand why certain things are done in a particular way, it allows you to understand the current state and bring new ways of thinking or doing things.
You bring a valuable skill set that sets you apart, but to showcase it, you need to understand the current state, introduce new ways of thinking and/or doing, propose potential solutions to the problems, and monitor changes.
During my first work term, we were in a team meeting discussing a current problem our department was experiencing. I asked questions about why we were having these issues, understood the current state, and proposed a solution that was later implemented, demonstrating my value as a co-op student (temporary worker). This eventually led to being seen in a more positive light at work.
Be Reliable and consistent in your quality of work
Whenever you are tasked to do something in your new job, make sure everything you do is done well and on time. The small tasks will add up and build your reputation. The key to your success as an employee is the consistency in the quality of your work, no matter the task.
During my first co-op work term, I was tasked with scanning files and organizing cabinets filled with thousands of pieces of paperwork. While the very first tasks I was assigned were administrative, I took each task very seriously.
I paid close attention to detail when scanning and filing documents and organizing cabinets, ensuring my teammates could find information easily and effectively.
This slowly but surely built my work ethic and reputation at work, eventually leading to assignments of more challenging tasks that required greater cognitive processing and mental stimulation and were more aligned with hands-on experience in Human Resources. This eventually led to an offer to return for my second work term.
Finding success in your first job
As you follow these 3 tips, you will find that your reputation and work ethic will be built over time. This will allow you to plant the seeds for your future self so you can succeed with confidence.
What have you learned about succeeding at work that has shifted your perspective?
Share with us in the comments below.
