Three tips for leaving your job and starting a new one
Leaving somewhere you’re settled is scary – and it can be even more nerve-wracking starting something new altogether. Recent world events have seen a lot of us having to swap out where we work, or even what we do as a profession.
And while things appear to gradually be back on track in terms of stability, with 75.5% of people in the UK now in full-time employment (down just 1.1% from pre-pandemic figures), that doesn’t mean everyone is happy or comfortable with their current roles.
If you’re thinking about taking a leap of faith, whether you’re changing just your job or your entire career, we’re on hand to provide you with three handy tips for settling into your new company.
Introduce yourself to everyone
While it might seem like a daunting task, it’s always a good idea to make an effort with your new colleagues. You don’t have to have life-changing discussions on deep issues, but a simple ‘hello’ to show your amiable nature tends to go a long way.
It’s also important to remember that very few people click with everyone they work with. Nurture the relationships which seem promising, and remain friendly and positive with those who you might not have as much of a natural connection with.
Don’t be scared to ask important questions
It can be intimidating and even scary to ask questions when you start a new role. You might be worried that you’re coming across as inexperienced, naive or even unintelligent. This is particularly important when you need help or support with a task. Interestingly, as many as 27.6% of people are scared to ask their boss for help.
In reality, everyone who’s starting off is bound to have a heap of questions about how to make sure they’re doing their job properly. Almost all employers will appreciate and understand this. It will only go as a mark against your name if you keep asking the same questions repeatedly – so make sure to listen the first time.
Ask about remote working opportunities
If you need to balance working in an office with life at home, make sure to find out what your opportunities are as soon as possible. In 2020 as many as 25.9% of the UK working population did their job from home. Because of that, a lot of us have become accustomed to being able to carry out our work from wherever suits us best.
If you feel like you need to balance your work and home life, make sure to have an open and frank conversation about it with your manager as soon as you can. This might even be something you’ll want to discuss in the hiring stage if you feel comfortable enough.
Feeling better about tackling your first week in a new position? It’s understandable to feel nervous, but with these useful snippets of advice under your belt, things are more likely to go to plan.
