Starting a new job? Here's how to be 'the new kid on the block'

Starting a new job can be a daunting gig.

Between trying to make good first impressions, remembering a whole whack of names, and figuring out your workflow, there's nothing easy about being the new kid on the block.

Workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman sat down with host Stephen Quinn on CBC's The Early Edition to discuss how to pull-off being a newbie. (Spoiler alert: don't put fish in the microwave on your first day.)

Stephen Quinn: Tell me what are new recruits dealing with when they walk into a new position?

Jennifer Newman: Well it's a hard one. You have to learn that job and sometimes it's a steep learning curve. Passing probation is important, and so is getting to know everybody. You have to forge some effective relationships pretty quickly with co-workers and your boss — it's very important, and very demanding

Being a new recruit does give you some latitude, which is a good thing; however you don't want to make too many missteps because you want to keep that job if that's the job for you.

Tell me about some of the pitfalls to avoid. What shouldn't one do if they're new to the job?

Take some time to get to know the lay of the land — don't move too fast. Listen, observe, and introduce yourself to other people.

Its good to find out gradually if you replaced somebody, because maybe theres some big shoes that you're filling. And you should know too if you won the job from an internal candidate, because that's an interesting thing to have to maneuver around.

A faux pas is to say 'I know, I know, I know' when someone's trying to show you a task or show you the ropes. Make sure you're listening and ask questions. You want to show that you're attentive, that you're letting that coworker know that you're hearing wha they say, because they also want to know that you're getting something out of what they're telling you.

That's the learning part of it, but what about the interpersonal part?

It's really important to make friends at work, but watch out for doing it too quickly. I've seen situations where someone's become fast friends with a coworker, but they find out that they're not the best match for them. In one instance, the friend tended to be a bit negative and gossip. Backing out of that of a friendship like that can cause problems down the road in terms of not getting along.

But don't be too standoffish because then people will feel like you're being too reserved and won't get to know you.

The fine balance here is to watch out for over disclosing, but also engage in some social chit chat so people do actually get to know who you are.

What mistakes do you find that new recruits tend to stumble into?

One is going with every single little question over and over again to different people or to the same person. That can be very annoying.

You can feel nervous — it makes sense, but really the best thing to do there is try things on your own. You'll learn faster by trying to figure things out.

If it really is impossible, put it on a list and then meet regularly with your coworker or with your boss and bring the list to them.

What if you mess up majorly in the first few weeks on the job? Is there something coming back from that?

Just recognize that you do have that wonderful grace period latitude of being the new recruit. People will give you slack, but they won't if you become defensive.

Definitely take a step back, say I'm sorry about that, and learn the proper procedure.

And if you're a person welcoming a new recruit?

You have to realise people are learning a lot of new names, so keep introducing your coworkers to the new recruit, repeat their names, and repeat your name as well.

If you do want to take someone under your wing, ask them if that's what they would like, because not everyone wants to have that happen to them. It might be a generous offer, but definitely make it an offer

And if you're the boss, meet regularly with the new recruit. One thing that people tell me is that if the boss isn't meeting with them, they tell me that they're floating. So once a week, check in.

With files from CBC's The Early Edition

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Jennifer Newman: How to ease in to that new job