Soft Skills in the Workplace First Day Dos and Donts

Soft Skills in the Workplace First Day Dos and DontsSo youve applied, interviewed, receivedthe job offer, filled out all the paperwork, andread through the company orientation manual. Now what? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Joining a new company often means learning what systems are already inprogress. Who do you report to? How will you be given new assignments? Do youget to prioritize for yourself, or will your teamberaterin be managing your day-to-daytasks? You cant meet or exceed expectations if you dont know what they areYour First Day In The OfficeMake sure you bring something to write with and something to write on If youreinvited to attend meetings right away, sit back and observe its usually better to directany questions to your immediate supervisor or office neighbor later, instead ofdisrupting the discussion. Draw yourself a seating chart to record your newcoworkers names and where they sat (it will help you to put names with faces) andtake elendes to start getting up to speed.DOs1. Take initiativeThis doesnt mean going rogue or being resistant to existingcompany practices, but you can demonstrate that youre an independent thinkerby coming up with your own way to complete an assignment and running it byyour supervisor to get approval. They may appreciate that youre alreadythinking of ways to innovate. If they want to redirect you, be receptive to thefeedback.2. Get to know your neighborsSet a goal of introducing yourself to one coworkera day until you know at least everyone on your team or anyone with whom yourdepartment interacts regularly. Dont be distracting or monopolize their time, but even a few moments of chattingas you refill a cup of coffee can help you develop working relationships with yourcolleagues.3. Volunteer for projectsIf youre in a meeting and someone higher up the foodchain is looking for someone to lead a new project or supervise the execution of anew initiative, consider whether you r workload could accommodate an plus-rechnen(and check with your boss). Its better to be the person who says Yes, I canhandle that for youanything else? than the person who sits silently while anopportunity passes them by.DONTs1. ComplainEven if your old office gave out free coffee and omelets everymorning and all your new office seems to have is stale animal crackers, youshould approach your first weeks on the job with a continuation of your bestinterview behavior. Dont let your reputation become that of somebody whogripes instead of saying good morning, or is convinced the grass was greener onthe other side of the fence.2. Act helplessIf youre really and truly stuck, dont waste time struggling underthe radar. But with run-of-the-mill IT issues, small-scale office needs, or learningnew software, cultivate a sense of self-sufficiency. A needy employee distractscoworkers and signals the boss that theyre not ready for mora responsibility.3. Get too comfortable too quicklyBe aware of t he prevailing office culture anddo your best not to disrupt it by cluttering shared space or bringing in too manyphotos or knickknacks from home. Theres always time to bring more of yourpersonality into the office once youve established yourself as a professional first,a cat or dog or sports enthusiast second.4. Mock HR PoliciesWhether your orientation was a quick spin around the officecomplex or a more formal company-wide presentation, demonstrate yourprofessionalism by taking them seriouslyfrom the basics, like adhering to a dresscode, to the legal standards of conduct, like refraining personal comments aboutyour coworkers.