Top 10 tips to starting a new job

From Davina Forbes, Head of Recruitment for PR jobs & comms jobs at Major Players

Every business has a unique office culture and finding your way around in the beginning can be daunting. Here are some helpful tips for successful candidates to ensure a smooth transition into the new role.

1. Detox yourself – from your old job. Try and get a week off between roles if possible, mentally leave your job behind, go away on holiday, clear out your mind, have a clear out, chill out and enjoy your fresh start

2. Swot up – Do some research on your new company, beyond their website, find out who's there, what they've done, how they've grown, what their reputation is like across their industry. You'll feel like you've worked there for years by the time you start!

3. Meet the team - often in the interview process you only meet senior people, arrange a time to go in over a lunchtime or after work for a drink to meet your future colleagues and make an impression before your first day

4. First impressions – hopefully you would have noticed the dress code of the office during your interviews. Even if you notice some people take ‘casual dress’ to mean ripped jeans and hoody, stay smart and clean for at least the first three months or take the lead from your manager

5. Re-Invention – Be the employee you want to be, not the one you were - use this new role to get rid of any bad habits from your old role, develop a new routine and use this as an opportunity to be a better version of your old self. Do not say anything such as “In my last job we did…”. People will think – if it was so great, why did you leave?

6. Connect – Use your social media channels to connect with your new colleagues, add them to your LinkedIn profile and follow them on Twitter (probably better to leave Facebook alone until you know them a bit better though!)

7. Find your 'Obi Wan' – Seek out a mentor, ask your boss to recommend someone either a peer or someone more senior than you in the business who isn't your direct line manager and arrange to have a catch up with them to find out more about the business and guide you through your first few months

8. Everybody needs somebody – ask people for help. People generally like to help others and it usually makes them feel good about themselves. It also shows enthusiasm and eagerness

9. Stay sober – be sociable and join colleagues after work drinks – but don’t get drunk on your first outing. Classy = professional and professional is what you want to show. Never be the last one home

10. Enjoy yourself – there is a reason you were hired. They like you and how you articulated yourself during the interview process. All new hires take some time to integrate so don’t stress too much. Happy work life = happy life

Are you a PR pro looking to make your next career move? Then get in touch, register or search for the latest jobs. Or if you’re hunting for the best in PR talent then why not submit a brief or speak with one of our specialist consultants.

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