Soft Skills in the Workplace First Day Do’s and Donts

Soft Skills in the Workplace First Day Do’s and Donts So you’ve applied, interviewed, received  the job offer, filled out all the paperwork, and  read through the company orientation manual. Now what? Joining a new company often means learning what systems are already in  progress. Who do you report to? How will you be given new assignments? Do you  get to prioritize for yourself, or will your supervisor be managing your day-to-day  tasks? You can’t meet or exceed expectations if you don’t know what they are!Your First Day In The OfficeMake sure you bring something to write with and something to write on! If you’re  invited to attend meetings right away, sit back and observe; it’s usually better to direct  any questions to your immediate supervisor or office neighbor later, instead of  disrupting the discussion. Draw yourself a seating chart to record your new  coworkers’ names and where they sat (it will help you to put names with faces) and  take notes to start getting up t o speed.DOs1. Take initiativeThis doesn’t mean going rogue or being resistant to existing  company practices, but you can demonstrate that you’re an independent thinker  by coming up with your own way to complete an assignment and running it by  your supervisor to get approval. They may appreciate that you’re already  thinking of ways to innovate. If they want to redirect you, be receptive to the  feedback.2. Get to know your neighborsSet a goal of introducing yourself to one coworker  a day until you know at least everyone on your team or anyone with whom your  department interacts regularly. Don’t be distracting or monopolize their time, but even a few moments of chatting  as you refill a cup of coffee can help you develop working relationships with your  colleagues.3. Volunteer for projectsIf you’re in a meeting and someone higher up the food  chain is looking for someone to lead a new project or supervise the execution of aà ‚  new initiative, consider whether your workload could accommodate an addition  (and check with your boss). It’s better to be the person who says â€Å"Yes, I can  handle that for you- anything else?† than the person who sits silently while an  opportunity passes them by.DON’Ts1. ComplainEven if your old office gave out free coffee and omelets every  morning and all your new office seems to have is stale animal crackers, you  should approach your first weeks on the job with a continuation of your best  interview behavior. Don’t let your reputation become that of somebody who  gripes instead of saying good morning, or is convinced the grass was greener on  the other side of the fence.2. Act helplessIf you’re really and truly stuck, don’t waste time struggling under  the radar. But with run-of-the-mill IT issues, small-scale office needs, or learning  new software, cultivate a sense of self-sufficiency. A needy employee di stracts  coworkers and signals the boss that they’re not ready for more responsibility.3. Get too comfortable too quicklyBe aware of the prevailing office culture and  do your best not to disrupt it by cluttering shared space or bringing in too many  photos or knickknacks from home. There’s always time to bring more of your  personality into the office once you’ve established yourself as a professional first,  a cat or dog or sports enthusiast second.4. Mock HR PoliciesWhether your orientation was a quick spin around the office  complex or a more formal company-wide presentation, demonstrate your  professionalism by taking them seriously- from the basics, like adhering to a dress  code, to the legal standards of conduct, like refraining personal comments about  your coworkers.