How to Adjust to New Workplace
Starting something new can be a nerve-racking experience for most people, especially when it is something as an important as a new internship. The first few weeks, or even months, will be the make or break moment of the whole internship experience. You might feel totally out of balance, your hands shaking and your heart thundering. Don’t worry, you are not the first person to feel that way and there are ways to overcome your nervousness. These tips can help you to adjust to new workplace.
Take the initiative to introduce yourself
Start with a smile. Greet people and introduce yourself, let them know that you are someone new at the office. Make an effort to know your colleagues. Having someone to talk to will help you to adjust to new workplace. Also, they will be the ones who will tell you things like where to get your lunch, how to operate the photocopiers and all the small, but important, day-to-day stuffs. But one thing to remember, even though it is important to be friendly with everyone, make sure that you are not being dragged into the middle of office politics. Always try to stay neutral and stay away from conflicts
Pay attention to the company’s culture
Every companies have their own culture. It is something that everyone does, sometimes even without realizing it. Following that culture is important for you to be able to adjust to new workplace and not feeling like the odd one out. Pay attention to how people do things at the office, observe and follow their lead. It can be observed from small things, like kitchen etiquette, to important stuffs, like how they conduct their meeting. Having a good relationship with your colleagues will help you to adapt to their culture easier, which is why the first tip is very important. Spending sometimes talking to your new colleagues will help you notice what is considered important in the company’s culture.
Communicate with your boss
Knowing what you are expected to do during the internship will help you to adjust to new workplace. Talking regularly with your supervisor to make sure that your goals are in line is important to make sure that you will be able to do a good job. Do not be shy to ask a lot of questions. People will expect that because they know you are new. It will show that you have the initiatives and willingness to learn. Do not forget to ask for feedbacks, show that you are willing to listen to constructive criticisms and actually do something to improve yourself.
Set realistic expectation
Do not expect that you will be able to complete adjust to new workplace in a day. Understand that it will take a while and that it is a continuous process. You are taking in a lot of new information and you might not be able to retain all of them in the beginning. You might still feel like an outsider for the first few weeks and you might do few mistakes, and that is normal. Instead of worrying too much, focus on all the positive things you can get from this internship. After all, it is a new adventure for you. Explore the new areas especially if you have an international internship, meet new people, and try new things.
Changes are never easy, and everyone has that fear of the unknown. But self-improvement does not come from familiar environment, it is the courage to get out of your comfort zone that will allow you to grow as a person. Try implementing these tips to help you adjust to new workplace!