Blog Post: Starting a New Job

Many of you reading this are going to be getting employed soon — January at the latest.  It is now time to think beyond the job search to the start of a new position.

Let me start out by saying that I sincerely hope you have a much better manager than I am!  While I’ve managed for over 30 years (starting when I was 17) and know all the management “tricks and tips,” I really do not enjoy managing people anywhere near as much as I like teaching, consulting, counseling and writing.  For the last almost 5 years my wife and I have taken a hiatus from managing folks and have done the training and one-on-one transition coaching and executive coaching we love so much.

But with the economy the way it is, we’ve been getting a great many requests for help in making a transition.  So, we brought on two great folks.  Although they're great as new staff and have done everything right, the process itself recalled to me some things that people should be aware of when they're starting a new job.  Here are some tips.

1).  Watch your new boss.  Regardless of what you’re told in the interviewing phase, the nuances of the corporate culture will not become clear until you’re actually on-board.   I’m reminded of the story of the HR professional who, upon death, was given the choice of heaven or Hades.  Heaven was pretty nice, with folks sitting around coffee shops talking, and lots of great things going on, but when she went to Hades there was a fantastic party going on.  She interviewed with the Devil himself and he was actually charming and fun.  Well, on Monday she took the elevator down and reported to Hades to find the colleagues which had been partying being driven by demons, with the Devil laughing maniacally.  When she asked what happened between the interview and reporting for work, the Devil smiled evilly and said “Now you’re on staff.”

Hopefully, neither I, nor the people you’ll be working for, are Old Nick.  But, no matter how honest managers or company owners tend to be, it is truly impossible for them to give you a complete picture of corporate culture regarding things like work ethic, expectations, interaction with customers, and so on.  You have to watch and see.

2).  Imitate your boss.  If your boss is a very hard worker, you should be at least as a hard of a worker.  Is the corporate culture strictly hierarchical?  Don’t try to go around it.  Our company culture values people taking initiative and solving problems, with as little input from me (because I am really busy with our clients) as possible.  It is the opposite of hierarchical in many ways.  Watch and see what is valued and perform those functions exceedingly well.

3).  Don’t take time off.  You need to learn your new job.  Every day you’re “off” is two to three days of getting “back into the swing of it.”  This is not me — this is from a variety of studies including one by Harvard .

4).  Your job is your top priority.  I think I probably should have written this article the week after Thanksgiving to save some of you some hassles.  But…most people have lots of kid things, parties, and social events to go to during December.  Too bad.  If you are newly employed, put these things on hold and knuckle down to your work.  It will not kill children to have you miss their “Holiday Program” one year so that you can put food on the table and pay the rent.  And you need to stay away from Holiday Parties, anyway.  The only thing that Holiday Parties are good for if you’ve just started a new job is distraction, extra weight around your waist and a possible DUI.  Social and kid stuff can wait.  Concentrate on your job now.  This is an employer’s market.  The exception to this is, of course, any party or other event to do with your new job, your new company, or anything you’re invited to by your new boss.  Some of the least helpful words a new employee can say is “I’m sorry, I’ve got other plans.”  If you do have other plans — change ‘em.  If you choose to go to the “other plans,” they’d better be darned important because you’re giving your new employer the impression that you do not care about the company/

5).  They don’t know you.  You may be a great employee.  They don’t know that.  So you desperately need to show them.  Don’t do things that make you look undedicated, too family oriented, or like a slacker.  Regarding family orientation, this is especially true for women.  It isn’t right and it isn’t fair, but women who concentrate on their families or kids at the expense of their careers are going to be “glass ceilinged” very rapidly, with little chance of escape.

6).  Quit smoking now!  I have talked with many executives and numerous HR people…none of whom are willing to go on the record, of course, because they don’t want to be hassled.  But many will not hire a smoker, and many, if they find out the person is a smoker, will get rid of him or her ASAP.  This is a very, very good time to quit.  It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “quit or be fired.”  While that is certainly not my company’s policy, if someone comes in and reeks of tobacco smoke, they’re turning off our clientele.  Time to quit now.

7).  Control your alcohol intake.  This is especially true at company parties where “one” should be your limit, but it is also true even in the privacy of your own home.  And, of course, many companies have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal substances.

8).  Control your love life.  You can’t afford to have a fight with your wife, husband, or significant other.  Don’t let things go to the “fight” stage.  Handle disagreements on the weekend, but not when you have to be alive, awake and aware for the next day at work.  And, for heaven’s sake, don’t call in “sick” because you and your significant other had a fight and you’re tired.  Grown ups don’t do things like that.  Time to grow up, don’t you think?

Look, you’re in the early stages of a hopefully long relationship.  How you behave now will determine how you’re going to be looked at in the company for years to come.  If you mess up in these early days, you might have to spend years to overcome the initial negative impression — if they don’t just fire you on the spot.

9).  Dress appropriately.  This means that you should dress nicely, not in very casual clothes (and so sweats, ever!) and not dress in a sexy or provocative manner ever.

10).  Be very, very, very careful with emails.  I’ve seen more people get fired over emails than almost any other single reason.  One rule of thumb is — if you wonder if you should send this or not — don’t.  Delete it.  Also stay off the company internet for anything but company business, even if it is technically OK to be on it.  I’ve seen four people in the last 5 years fired on this issue alone — all at companies where there was a policy allowing employees to be on the internet.  A word to the wise….

If, in the first three or four months, you’ve come to work twice totally trashed, called in sick a couple of times, had to deal with Junior’s preschool three or four times, had car trouble, and so on, you are in deep trouble.  It will take years of perfect behavior to make up for three or four months of stupid, unprofessional behavior.  So…don’t fight with your significant other.  Don’t get drunk.  Stop your smoking (preferably before starting a new job so you’re not an old grouch for weeks).  Don’t dress inappropriately (or sexy).  If Junior is ill, find someone to babysit.  If you don’t have appropriate work attire, get some.  Come in early and leave late.  Don’t get caught in the email or internet trap.  Keep your big mouth mostly shut.  Most of all, do your job and do it with as few mistakes as possible.  This way you might actually keep the new job you’ve started, and be in good with your new employers.  Ignore this advice at your own peril.

John Heckers is a Transition Coach and Executive Coach in Cherry Creek, Colorado .  He welcomes your emails at jheckers@heckersdevgroup.com.  His colleague, Jaclyne Barrett , with over 12 years of progressive Human Resources experience welcomes your emails at jbarrett@heckersdevgroup.com.  www.heckersdevgroup.com.  Read John ’s other blogs at www.executiveexpert.blogspot.com, and follow the links to his others.  Watch this blog for information on a free job hunting class to be held in early January, time and date TBD.