Tips for a Smooth Transition to Your New Job

At last—you can breathe. The interviews are finally over, and you have been offered the position that you have labored for. In this moment of elation, you begin to cycle through a myriad of thoughts that lead you to your next position. Here you begin to think of everything that you need to do to make sure that the move to your next position goes as smoothly as possible. If you’ve been thinking about this, it is a wonderful sign, as you are already thinking about how to make the most of your next opportunity. However, it is important to temper these thoughts, as you still want to make sure that your transition to a new position is as stress free as possible.

Tie up loose ends.

Before you begin your transition into your new job, you will want to make sure that you do not leave any assignments incomplete. If there is a project that requires your attention, it is vital in your last days in your current position that you continue to put forth a strong work ethic, and not become lackadaisical in your approach. If anything, it is in this instant that you will want to be sure that you leave your reputation in tact, as you transition into the next phase of your career.

Leave bad habits behind.

As you transition into a new position, you must remember to break bad habits that plagued you in your old job. Perhaps you struggled with delegating tasks, or maybe there were instances where you found yourself being a bit too introverted. If there is a habit that has been holding you back, now is the time for you to identify it, and break it before it is able to do any lasting damage to your career.

Let go of the past.

We all have things that we did not like about previous jobs. Perhaps this was due to unfair work distribution, or you were dissatisfied with your pay. Whatever the reason may be, it is crucial to not bring baggage from an old job with you. This is a new start, and it is time to wipe the slate clean.

Ask Follow-up Questions.

Another concept that will help to ease your transition is asking additional questions that may have come to mind after you made it through the interview process. Would you like to know more about the day to day responsibilities of your new role? Are you curious to see if you would be able to afford the company’s health insurance plan? Rather than waiting for an onboarding guide from human resources to give you all the answers, perhaps you can take the initiative, and ask representatives beforehand. You may be surprised by what you learn.

Make positive connections.

When you first walk in to your new position, one of your main priorities should be building rapport with your new teammates and superiors. This may require you to get out of your comfort zone if you are introverted. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others, and have casual conversations.

Accept the Learning Curve.

When starting a new job, it goes without saying that there is a learning curve that comes with it. It’s ok to not have the answers right away, and it may take some time to realize this. However, in this stage, being able to get yourself up to speed as soon as possible is of the utmost importance. While some are apprehensive about learning a new company or position, others welcome this challenge with open arms. It will take some time to adjust to all that comes with your new role. Allow yourself the grace to grow into it.

Celebrate your achievement.

As part of your transition, allow yourself the chance to be proud of what you have accomplished. It is a great deal of work landing a new job, especially one that you have wanted for some time. Avoid doing yourself the disservice of simply moving into the position without fully giving yourself the time to process this milestone. Starting a new position is an exciting adventure. Take a deep breath, and allow yourself to embrace your success for a moment. You’ve earned it.