Starting any new job can be intimidating, let alone when it’s your first corporate position. It can often involve a steep learning curve as you settle in and get to know the new role, expectations and work environment – but rest assured that, with a bit of time and effort, you’ll soon become accustomed to the job and company. To help you get into the swing of things sooner, here are some of our best tips for working in an office for the first time.

Get Involved with the People and the Culture

All corporate environments are different, and a big part of surviving your first corporate job is understanding the culture and the people within it.

One of the best things you can do when starting a new job is to get involved with this little community and start building relationships. It could be tempting to wait until you’ve “settled in”, but the best way to truly find your feet is to be proactive and seek opportunities to get to know your new colleagues. Make the effort to be friendly and introduce yourself first. If there are too many names to keep track of, try looking at the company website or LinkedIn for a reminder of who’s who.

Say “yes” to lunches, coffee runs and after work events – these will allow you to get to know people in a more casual setting. Beyond that, consider volunteering to help wherever you can. Look for opportunities to lend your co-workers a hand (provided you’re getting your own work done); they’ll be grateful you stepped up to help, and you’ll get to experience other parts of the business.

Take Thorough Notes and Get Organised

Taking great notes is essential – not just during your first day at work, as you learn about the company and role, but during every meeting you attend throughout your employment. While there are many effective ways to take notes, the classic notepad and pen still reign supreme; writing things down manually helps you to retain information better.

Note down any key points you think may come in handy later, such as information on processes, contact information and software. When you need to check on a detail or revisit an update from the previous week, you’ll be thankful you did.

Beyond just taking notes, organising your work information effectively is vital. Set up email folders in the first week so you don’t get overwhelmed by communications, and make sure you have all the passwords and permissions you need.

Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for help when you need it. No one will fault you for leaning on the support of your team or manager while you’re learning – that’s what they’re there for. Finally, keep track of your “to-do” list and learn to prioritise tasks. Remember – if you aren’t sure which tasks are more urgent, it’s always best to ask.

Set Achievable Goals and Track Your Success

Whilst management will likely set up a series of performance targets, it’s a good idea to set your own individual goals as well (once you’ve settled in a bit, of course). Don’t aim for the bare minimum; continue these personal goals even when management doesn’t step in, as this shows initiative and a desire to always improve. Not only do these personal goals look good to management, but they also help you identify areas where you might need to ask for extra help or training. At the end of the day, if you want to get the most out of your first corporate job, it pays to rise above expectations.

When it comes to establishing these goals, ambitious but achievable is the way to go. They need to be easily measurable, with a realistic timeframe in which to meet them. To guide your goal-setting, try using the popular acronym S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-based.

Lastly, don’t forget to take note of your accomplishments from day one: it helps to boost your confidence and ensures that you can report on what you’ve achieved during later reviews. It’s also good to have when it comes to looking for a new job down the track, as being able to provide clear and demonstrable results helps to strengthen your resume.

Summary

The corporate world is big and diverse, and joining it for the first time can be daunting. However, coming into it with the right attitude is half the battle. If you can do that, and you’re prepared to keep learning and challenging yourself, you won’t just survive in a corporate job – you’ll be able to thrive.

If you would like more valuable career advice or support with finding a corporate job in Australia, contact the team at First People Recruitment Solutions today.