Starting a new career: How to make a smooth transition

Young woman welcomed on first day of new career

You’ve done all the interviews, dressed to impress, and now the wait is over – you’ve officially got that shiny new job offer in place. With a new role comes brand new horizons, and if you’re feeling a few of those new-career jitters, getting prepared is the best way to make that transition as easy as possible. Settling into a new job can be a challenge, but fear not, we’ve got exactly the advice you need to help smooth the process from start to finish.

Here are some of our top tips for getting rid of that ‘starting a new job’ anxiety and fitting into your new workplace with ease.

Get involved in group activities and events

Participating is a great way to get yourself fully immersed in your company culture and get to know your workmates a little better. If your team hosts monthly nights out or your company regularly hosts different activities and events, getting involved can be an excellent way to integrate yourself into your team and show off your true colours. You don’t need to go to every event, but showing willingness from the start is always a good idea.

Really listen to what’s going on around you

Whether it’s taking detailed notes for your induction or just listening to the chatter around your office, keep your ears switched on to get the lay of the land. The more you listen, the easier you’ll find it to slip into your workplace culture and understand what makes people tick. Your co-workers will also appreciate that you’re willing to listen and learn, which is a bonus.

Do your research on your new company

If you haven’t already, now is the time to learn more about your new workplace. Google is your best friend, so don’t be afraid to look up anything you can find about the company. If they have social media or an online platform, that’s a good place to start to get a handle on the culture and feel of the company as a whole.

Go in with a positive mindset

Starting a new career can be anxiety-inducing, but a positive mindset can make a world of difference. Go into your new workplace with a good attitude towards learning, figuring out work and building relationships, and you’re far more likely to succeed. Take a few deep breaths and get stuck in, and everything else will soon follow after.

Seek out support from your workplace mentors

Just about every workplace has a couple of mentors who are ready and waiting to help you get settled in. Try to pinpoint who you can go to for help, whether it’s with work-related activities or as the gateway to getting to know your co-workers a little better. Most mentors will be more than happy to help you get settled in.

If you’re feeling nervous about a new job, you’re not alone. Many of us aren’t sure how to transition into a new career until we try it for ourselves. But with our top tips above, getting into work mode will be easier than ever. 

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