How to Start a New Job Successfully

Over time, you will recognize that you see a definite culture in any work place and you have to feel your way around for the first week or so. You will come to understand the company, the way it operates, its customs, and the communications among its employees. Taking the time to absorb these features and maintaining good manners will make good impressions. You will be able to have a relaxed but energetic manner and a habit of showing interest in other people without being nosy.

By all means, DO:

• 1. Be civil and friendly to everyone and be conservative in humor and mannerisms. If you are pressed for time and frustrated, take a deep breath and smile anyway.
• 2. Ask questions to your new coworkers. Make generic small talk with them about popular music, TV, sports etc. Don't venture into anything personal and stay away form politics, government, and religion. Refrain form telling everyone everything about yourself all at once as well.
• 3. Ask your new coworkers to tell you the best spots for good coffee, breakfast, lunch, or gift purchasing. These questions will start communications going on a social level to help you bond. Coworkers may invite you to lunch with them, so go and have fun.
• 4. Give colleagues time to get used to you. It may not happen on DAY ONE.
• 5. Bring in some pantries you've home baked and leave them in the lunchroom. A cake, cupcakes, cookies are great. Here's an easy recipe: buy a yellow cake mix and add only a 12-oz. bottle of Mountain Dew, mix and put in a baking pan and bake and you will have a fruity-flavored cake. For chocolate cake, use a 12-oz. bottle of Coke or Cherry Coke! That's it - a cake mix and a bottle of soda pop. Skips the eggs, oil or anything else. These are really great! And very easy.

Here's a good cookie recipe: Great Crispy Cookies

• 1. Don't be intrusive. Don't interrupt conversations or stand and listen when two people are having a conversation. Coworkers won't trust you if they think you are nosy or spying for the boss.

• 2. If you have enjoyed soap operas in the past, now is the time to enjoy them less - give up on Schadenfreude, the state of being entertained by the problems of others. On a job, avoid expecting to hear a bunch of strange stories and rumors about your work mates. In fact, stay away from gossip 100% and avoid people who try to draw you into gossip. Be polite, but don't participate. People that gossip or listen to gossip, usually do not receive promotion in their careers.

• 3. Don't keep talking about your former employer, especially about how that company does things in comparison to your new company. This can make current coworkers and supervisors angry as well as waste time. You are in a new place with new ways of doing things. If you have a good idea, approach the boss in private with it or mention it in a meeting, but don't simply complain about processes without having an idea to replace that which you see is inefficient. Complainers don't get promoted. Those that plan and approach the boss with creative ideas often do.

• 4. Don't insist that everyone at work become involved in your life all at once, even though your life may be exciting and they would be interested. Wait a little while for your work mates to show interest in your hobbies and other activities. Do a good job and get along with others, and they should trust you more as well.

• 5. Don't ask coworkers to join your MySpace, FaceBook, Gossips'R'Us, BlackPlanet, or any of these social media sites, at least not as first. Avoid adking your boss to join or follow you at all, unless it is on the company website. LinkedIn is OK for a business connection network, but wait a while before you ask people. They need to know you and trust you first. And don't try to sell coworkers anything, because many workplaces prohibit that and selling can build resentment in coworkers.