The Hunt

First of all, congratulations on the new job! You’ve made it through rounds of interviews and managed to land a position dozens of other people may have applied for. However, landing a job is just the first step in a successful career. Here are a few strategies for adjusting to your new job and help you navigate through the genesis of your new position.

Introduce Yourself

When starting a new job, you will likely notice a difference between the culture you’re used to and the new one. Some companies have a very open and collaborative culture while others are very much siloed, and people stay within their departments and teams. Either way, you should make a conscious effort to introduce yourself to people to get to know them and how they contribute to the company. Depending on your personality, it may be uncomfortable to meet so many new people at once, so if you’re introverted, try to make it a goal to meet a certain amount of people within your first month. If you’re extroverted, you’ll likely have no problem with this.

Another thing to note is that being careful about how you speak about your previous company or bosses will help you make a good first impression. While you should be honest if asked about your previous job, you don’t want to be labeled “the complainer” right out of the gate. It’s best to avoid talking negatively about your previous job, if possible. Practicing positivity instead will not only help you to enjoy your time at work, but also put you in the best position to further your career or get a raise in the future. Your superiors will be much more open to giving a positive person a raise or promotion.

Be Open-Minded

Even if you consider yourself an expert in your field, be sure to ask questions, listen, and learn from co-workers that have been on the job with more experience. You’ll not only get better at what you do, but others around you will also notice your improvement and desire to learn more. Along those lines, ask for feedback during the beginning stages, and also months down the road after you’ve developed your skills on the job. Usually, companies will have performance reviews and times set aside to talk about what you’re working on, but if they don’t, it’s up to you to get the feedback you need to excel at your work.

According to an article from CNBC, 25% of people actually quit their job in 2021. This could give you the opportunity to advance sooner than you think. Giving your new position 100% effort will allow you to advance in the future based on your own merit. With the number of people leaving their jobs, you should keep an open mind about changing roles or accepting new responsibilities within the company if the opportunity presents itself.

Re-evaluate Your Finances

A new job brings many new things, including a new salary. Hopefully, you’ve increased your earnings this time around, but either way, you should sit down and re-evaluate your financial situation. Do a deep dive into how you can make your financial goals a reality with what you have to work with. Consider everything, from serious obligations like paying off debt to fun expenses like planning that vacation you’ve been saving for. If you received a large increase in pay, this process is much easier for you, but if that dollar amount didn’t move too much, there are still actions you can take. Take advantage of free tools like Google Sheets to create your own budget. There are also many free apps available to help you keep track of every dollar you make. If you’re a homeowner, looking into 30 year mortgage rates is a great way to reduce your monthly bills. Learning how to refinance can help you pay off that debt faster, so you can have more financial freedom. Another great way to reduce your monthly bills is to cut out any subscriptions you don’t use. If you need any additional financial help, consider looking for a financial advisor.

Set Goals for Yourself

In addition to setting financial goals, it’s important to set professional goals. Your employer will likely have goals set up for everyone, but you should go above and beyond and think critically about what you want to achieve and how you’re going to get there. Ask the higher performers for advice on how they got to where they are and what actionable steps you can take to reach that point. Be sure to take daily action to advance your career, even if it’s something as small as a conversation. Lastly, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Some companies are more open to suggestions and improvements than others, but if you think of or discover better ways to do things, offer them as suggestions to your leaders. The worst thing that could happen is they say no while noticing you’re thinking critically about your role.

If you’re looking to further your career, Artemis Consultants or find highly qualified talent, we can offer assistance. We exist for two primary reasons. To support SaaS, Technology, Data and B2B Services companies by recruiting qualified candidates so they can keep growing and advancing. And to help professionals find opportunities that positively impact their careers and personal lives.