First Impressions: How Observation Will Help You Fit with New Company Culture

N E W T O T H E J O B ?

F I R S TI M P R E S S I O N S

M A K E A S P L A S H I N Y O U R

N E W W O R K P L A C E

D A V I D B I S H O P

Everyone will have a "first

day on the job", and there are

social cues that we should

always follow in order to

fully jump right into our new

professional spaces.

Think about what you cangive.

If you're networking or

meeting a new group of

people, it an be tempting to

talk only about what your

goals. But resist this urge.

Learn about what others

want, and foster a

collaborative atmosphere by

contributing your skills to

those goals. It will come back

to you!

Take social cues fromothers.

Every company is different.

Never assume you just

know the company culture.

Observe, and follow the leads

of the more established.

Don't call someone by a

name they didn't ask you to

use, and outside of

handshakes don't assume

physical contact is okay.

Learn the boundaries, and

stay within them.

Stay humble.

Work for every inch; never

coast by on your natural

ability alone. If you've just

started a position, you

shouldn't be asking for a

raise. Even if you solved a

problem or met all

expectations in your first

few weeks ... remember

that was what you were

hired to do in the first

place.

Keep it positive.

Workplace gossip is never

really worth it. When you

come to a disagreement with

a coworker (and that's a good

thing­ controlled conflict

shows minds approaching a

situation from different

angles) be respectful and

take the high road.

You don't need to roam thesidelines forever.

Eventually, you'll ask for araise or a new office! But

when you're new to asituation, observation is

one of your best tools.