How to Transition into a New Job

Note: This is a guest post written by James from Organize IT - one of my favorite blogs. For more articles on personal development, productivity, GTD, lifehacks and everything in between, check out Organize IT. 

Moving to a new job can often be a traumatic experience. Having to learn new policies, new people, new rules etc can be a tricky process. However, there are measures to take and attitudes you can adopt that will dramatically help you to settle in and get to know the ropes with minimal stress and frustration.

First impressions count

First impressions play a big part on how you are accepted into your new work environment and who you get along with. Make the effort to talk to people and get to know everyone. While it is always important to be yourself don't go alienating people in your first week. Take the time to be that little bit more co-operative and friendly. However, if you don't make the ideal impression you would want don't worry about it, you haven't burnt your bridges. You aren't at school anymore; groups aren't as rigid and cliques aren't as closed.

Acclimatize to your new job

Knowledge is power in all walks of life. The more quickly you learn the inner workings of the company and the various aspects of your job the more quickly you will settle in. A lot of the stresses that come with a new job are the result of not knowing what is what so it makes sense to get over those initial hurdles as soon as possible. There are a number of ways you can do this:

1. Get yourself a notebook and jot down as much information as possible. Don't be picky about what you write down because at this early stage you are in no position to know what information could turn out to be useful and what is irrelevant.

2. Ask questions. Don't shy away from asking people for help. You will quickly learn which people are truly helpful and will gladly answer any questions you have. Those are the colleagues you want to get to know well and asking questions also serve as good ice breakers. Plus, they usually give you that inside, personal viewpoint that a induction manual can't give you.

3. Don't shy away from the learning experience as it is all too easy for that approach to become an habit. Before you know it, you end up stuck in your position unwilling to pursue opportunities to learn more and potentially advance in your career. If you get the opportunity to do something new, take it. If you are able to attend training sessions sign up for them.

Be prepared to not enjoy it initially

Some people thrive on new experiences. However, for most of us it can be a little traumatic settling in to a new job, having to learn new things and get to know new people. A new job can cause a lot of upheaval in your life. Being mentally prepared for this can really help in settling in. Give yourself time to settle into the job and be prepared to put aside your emotions for a while. When I started a new job after a few months of working from home, I prepared myself for the upheaval of having to return to early starts, tight schedules and a new work environment. While it's natural that sometimes a job just isn't for you, don't take any rash actions until you are sure it is because you are unhappy and not because you are still settling in.

In summary

1. Make an effort to leave a good first impression

2. Get a notebook and jot down as much as possible

3. Ask questions!

4. Befriend those who happily answer your questions

5. Be open minded, take any opportunity to learn

6. You might not enjoy it initially, be prepared to put feelings as

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