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Success in the First Year on the Job

The first year on the job can be challenging as you make the transition from student to employee to begin your career. Because the “work world” holds a new set of rules and expectations, the way you approach this year can have an important impact on your professional journey.

The following 12 steps will assist you in making your first year a “success”.

Adapted from Ed Holton’s “12 Essential Steps to a Fast Start to Your Career”,

Journal of Career Planning and Employment, Spring 1999.

Step 1: Adopt the right attitude. A smile goes a long way.

• Model your attitude after those who are well respected and successful within your organization.
• Show humility, respect, confidence, a positive attitude, and an open mind.
• Demonstrate a readiness to learn, a willingness to change, a strong work ethic, and a long-term perspective.

Step 2: Adjust your expectations. Do a reality check.

• Ground your expectations in reality and you’ll increase your chances of achieving your goals and ensuring a successful transition.
• Anticipate new challenges, additional hours, more responsibility, and the opportunity to develop a greater sense of autonomy.

Step 3: Master the art of fitting in to a new environment.

• Your feedback will be better received if you learn the existing structures before offering suggestions.
• Be candid when you don’t know the answer; it shows a desire to understand the operations of the organization.
• Build a track record by looking for opportunities to shine; become known as a mature, dependable, hard-working professional.
• You must earn your acceptance; fitting-in often requires a great deal of conforming.

Step 4: Manage the impressions you make. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

• Positive first impressions increase visibility and opportunities to participate in successful projects.
• Take the time to understand your organization’s needs and values.
• Evaluate your actions in terms of how others may perceive you.

Step 5: Build effective relationships. People make the difference.

• Organizations are people working towards a common goal; they are your best resources.
• Understand professional relationships; you don’t have to be good friends to be good colleagues.
• Learn to work in teams and to communicate with all levels of people.
• Begin building a network inside and outside the organization and find a mentor who can provide you with guidance/advice.

Step 6: Become a good follower. Learn by example.

• You cannot be a good leader until you learn to be a good follower.
• Demonstrate that you are a skilled employee: keep your supervisor informed, know his/her expectations, offer solutions not problems, make your supervisor more efficient and productive.
• Demonstrate that you are easy to manage: respect authority, be flexible, remain open to feedback, do more than you are asked, and motivate yourself.

Step 7: Understand your organization’s culture. A whole new world…

• Every company has a unique culture; these rules affect everything from relationships to attire.
• Take the time to understand the culture in order to eliminate embarrassing blunders.
• Learn the culture by observing the political climate and the way that colleagues act and interact.

Step 8: Develop organizational savvy. It’s how you play the game.

• Don’t get involved in politics but consider the political implications of your actions.
• Understand the hierarchy, learn to negotiate and compromise, choose your battles, and involve others in your decisions.
• Find out how things “really get done” and who is integral in decision-making.

Step 9: Understand your new-hire role. Know your place.

• Find out what role the organization wants you to play and then do it to the best of your ability.
• Understand how your role fits into the bigger picture; your opportunities will come.
• Don’t take it personally if you are handed the grunt work; be prepared to pay your “dues”.

Step 10: Develop work savvy. Show them your stuff.

• Continue to develop your employability skills including time management, oral and written communication, decision making, organization, and effective listening.
• Increase your ability to juggle multiple projects, participate in meetings, sell your ideas, meet deadlines, introduce creativity, and produce quality work.

Step 11: Master the tasks in your job.

• Master the day-to-day tasks of your specific role.
• Take advantage of the training you are provided; it is designed to help you succeed in your job.

Step 12: Acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities you need to succeed. Take charge.

• Take responsibility for your own career development; don’t be afraid to ask for training or assistance.
• Incorporate feedback from your performance reviews and develop a plan to increase productivity.
• If you have spare time, use it to further develop your employability skills.

Follow this recipe for success to ensure a smooth transition and a successful start in a new career!