Starting a new job is exciting and terrifying at the same time. It gives you the opportunity start over, learn new things, refresh your skills, take on new challenges and make new work friends. Whilst all this sounds great, you are bound to worry about whether you’ll like your new colleagues and if you will impress your new boss. Here are some tips that will help you make a good start.

Don’t ignore colleagues offers of help

Graciously accept assistance from colleagues when it is offered. Don’t worry that it will make you look useless. Many people welcome the opportunity of helping new staff members. It makes them feel good to do it and it can form the foundation of a good workplace relationship.

 Don’t turn down a lunch invitation

Another way of making friends with your colleagues is to take them up on lunch invitations. If someone invites you to share a meal, he or she is probably just trying to get to know you better and help you feel less out of place. Everyone knows what it’s like to begin a new job. Don’t be tempted to meet up with old work colleagues, instead go out with your new ones and get to know them.

Don’t get caught up in office gossip

Whether it’s over lunch or around the coffee machine, gossip happens in every workplace. Neither ignore nor share it. Keep your ears open and your mouth closed. You may learn valuable information, for instance the boss is in a bad mood today because he bashed this car coming into the car park, but he isn’t always like this. Don’t contribute to the conversation, also bear in mind that not everything you hear is true.

Be open to new ways of doing things

Even if your duties in your previous role are essentially the same as in your new job be prepared to learn a new way of working. No two Companies do things in exactly the same way and there is bound to be differences in how your current employer operates in comparison with your old Company. Have a flexible attitude, it is important that you are adaptable.

Don’t tell everyone your life story

It is usually unwise to share personal information with co-workers, but it’s a particularly bad idea when you first begin working with them. You need time to determine who you can trust with information about yourself and who will spread gossip about you or the information you have given them to undermine your authority.

Don’t complain about your old boss or colleagues

If you moan about your old boss or colleagues, even if they were really awful, it allows your new colleagues to create a story about what they think really happened. You may assume they will cast you as the hero of the tale, but since they don’t know you yet, they instead could see you as a villain. Your new colleagues will also wonder if you will talk badly about them either in this or your next role. Drop any gripes you have about a previous employer – your hopefully in a better place now.

It is wonderful that you have a new job, follow these simple rules and you are sure to keep it and hopefully formulate a long-term successful career with your new employer.

 Good Luck