First days are always hard. From kindergarten to mid-career job changes, beginning something new often comes with anxiety and uncertainty. However, you can take steps to ease the transition by learning the key boxes to check when you start a new endeavor.

Don’t feel shy about your first-day jitters. It’s a common experience. Statistics show that the average worker holds more than a dozen jobs during their career. Meanwhile, eight out of 10 workers admit to feeling nervous as they start a new job.

The key to getting used to career changes is having a checklist for your early days at a new company. Here are some of the steps you should take as you start a new job that will set you up for long-term success:

Strong Practices to Implement When Starting Your Next Career Opportunity

Introduce Yourself

Get to know your coworkers as early in the process as possible. Don’t be annoying and don’t interrupt others while they are trying to work. But as the opportunity arises, introduce yourself to the people around you. This will smooth your transition from a newbie to a trusted team member.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Your early days at a company come with a major advantage: people don’t mind answering questions. Since you’re new on the job, you’ll get slack about not knowing every detail about your role. As such, you should gather as much information as possible.

Look for Mentors

To succeed, you’ll need a support system within the office. Advice and guidance from veteran coworkers will help you settle into your role and navigate the corporate structure. Meanwhile, you’ll gain longer-term skills that will let you push your career development forward.

Don’t Be Afraid of Homework

Early in your tenure at a new company, you might need a little extra effort to catch up. This can start even before your first day. Find out from your supervisor what outside learning you can do to become a key contributor as fast as possible.

Stay Organized

Coming into a new situation, you’ll be hit with a lot of information quickly. You’ll need to get up to speed with your core job responsibilities. Meanwhile, as a new hire, you’ll also face paperwork and other chores from HR. These tasks will get overlayed by the social challenge of getting used to a new workplace.

You’ll save yourself serious trouble by staying organized. Make sure you meet all deadlines and complete all your assigned tasks as efficiently as possible. This will help you make a great first impression throughout the organization.

Get to Know Your Coworkers

Form connections with those around you. Learn about their lives and look for ways to build bonds. This will make your day-to-day routine easier.

At the same time, actively discover your coworkers’ office habits. Understand their schedules. That way, you’ll know best when to approach them … and when to leave them alone.

Request Feedback

You want to get better over time. That requires getting assessments from those around you. Yes, criticism is hard to hear. But even negative feedback has a positive aspect — it lets you improve.

Establish this habit early. Let your supervisors know you are flexible and open to change. Ask them for feedback and implement their suggestions as fast as possible. This will form the basis of long-term development.

Want Further Assistance Finding Your Next Career Opportunity?

Yes, new jobs come with their share of stress. However, they also represents significant opportunities to drive your career forward. If you’re ready for your next challenge, turn to Hiregy. You’ll find the ideal position for your skills and background.

Contact Hiregy today to get your next job.