As a new employee, there’s a lot of pressure to become part of the team. Everyone new wants to leave a great impression and do a good job besides. When people don’t deal with that pressure well, things can get overwhelming. It makes it easier to burn out. And who wants that?
In our experience, it’s best not to worry too much about making a good impression. After all, you got the job! It’s safe to say you did that already.
What matters now is what comes after: the onboarding and the integration. At Staff Street, we guide our new staff with the mindset and the right set of tools. A proper mindset enables new team members to find their place socially and professionally. And the right set of tools makes it easier for them to build the strong relationships they’re going to need to succeed in their new job.
If you play your cards right, being new to the team can be an advantage. Remember, you were brought on because you have the skills, experience, and ideas that the company needs in order to grow. In other words, the ball is in your court. You have the unique albeit temporary privilege of setting the tempo of your professional relationship with your team. Here are a few reminders on how to create the right mindset for seamless onboarding and integration.
Be communicative.
Communication is important in any situation. It is the foundation of getting things done, whether that’s spearheading a marketing campaign or addressing a customer complaint. You have to be communicative to be part of any team effort. Being communicative can mean a lot of things, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few reminders.
Listen, listen, listen.
Communication is a two-way street. Listening allows you to understand the situation and make better decisions. Listen to your peers and colleagues verbally and socially. In any social situation, people don’t just rely on words to get their ideas across. People are more creative and complex than that. Listen to non-verbal cues and the way people relate to one another and each other’s ideas.
Ask questions.
Asking questions doesn’t just help clarify things for you as an employee, it also helps your employer understand how to help you get on the same page. It can also highlight errors or point out things that other may have overlooked.
Speak up.
When prompted, offer your own opinions, insights, suggestions, and comments willingly and respectfully. Decisions big and small reflect on the team as a whole. So, when you think there’s a better way of doing something, speak up.
Participate
This is self-explanatory. Make yourself available for meetings, discussions, calls, and so on. Participating in team activities helps you pick up on the qualities, quirks, and nuances of the other people on your team. All of which can help you communicate better in the long run.
Take initiative.
Taking initiative is generally a good thing, especially if you’re working for start-ups or smaller brands. It’s a great way to create a sense of ownership and accountability over the process and the projects that you work on.
Running any kind of business is a relay race. An employee that takes initiative instead of just relying on instructions from the top can be an advantage. But it can also be a problem if initiatives come from a place of ignorance. It goes without saying that taking initiative goes hand-in-hand with being communicative.
Engage with your team
Get to know everybody and take note of who’s responsible for what. Having a clear picture of how a team works is the first step in integrating yourself into the fabric of the company.
Do your research
Before taking initiative for anything, do your due diligence. Research to cover all your bases. It’s okay not to have the whole picture. But a clear and coherent understanding can help your tailor your ideas and target the needs and goals of your project more effectively.
Collaborate
Find opportunities to collaborate with other people on your team. Discuss your ideas and get feedback. It’s always helpful to have somebody back you up or give you advice on how to do a better job.
Be punctual.
Whether you’re working for a start-up or a big company, or whether you’re in an office or working from home, professional etiquette still applies.
As an international company, Staff Street brings together people from different parts of the world. Punctuality looks a little different when you’re part of a company that’s running on multiple timezones. But it doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, it matters more. Synchrony is important to a smooth operation, and that depends largely on everybody being on time.
Be on time for meetings.
Be mindful of the difference in time zones when you’re scheduling or accepting meeting invitations. A Thursday afternoon Pacific Standard Time is Friday morning witching hours in the UTC +8 Timezones.
Be on time for work.
As an international company, Staff Street synchronizes work schedules to ensure seamless and efficient workflow. Don’t leave your team hanging. Be on time for your shift. And if there’s any cause for delay, go back to the most important thing of being part of any team: communicate. Let your team know if there are any changes to your schedule.
Meet your deadlines.
Working for start-ups is as exciting as it is unpredictable. You and your team are responsible or creating your own roadmap! That means you have to think on your freet. Expect the unexpected. The less rigid you are, the easier it is to adjust and pivot when you need to.
At the same time, you don’t want to get lost in the chaos. Meeting your deadlines no matter the situation is a way to stay on track. It keeps you focused and anchored.
Getting your house in order is an opportunity to learn more about the company and demonstrate your interest and commitment. Many of the items on this list require clear and constant communication with different people in different parts of the company. Most companies already know what to provide their staff. But it’s still helpful on your end as a new employee to be aware of the things you need to become part of the team.
Employee Profile
| Employee Contract ? | Obtain an official copy of the employee contract. Make sure you keep it safe and updated. You never know when you’re going to need it. Nevertheless, it’s always best to be prepared. |
| Bank Details ? | Make sure all your bank details are correct. Don’t just give it to anybody. Give the information directly to the accounting office or the human resource officer in charge of your employment. |
Technical Access
| Computer & Connectivity ? | If you’re working for an international start-up, such as Staff Street and its clients, make sure that you have the computer and the connectivity to do your job. Whether it’s customer service or SEO management or accounting, make sure that your workstation can handle the job. |
| Time Doctor Invitation ⏲️ | At Staff Street, we keep track of everybody’s work hours and shifts through Time Doctor. Upon your employment, make sure that you receive the invitation to Time Doctor or the attendance tool of your company’s choice. |
| Calendar ? | Synchronize your calendars. Most companies provide this easily with the digital account and access that they give every employees. As a part of the team, make sure that you’re also updated with the company schedule beyond your day-to-day operation. Be aware of the seasonal events to stay on top of any important dates and anticipate. |
| Productivity Tools ?️ | Depending on the job, some productivity tools may be essential to getting things done. Based on your experience and your company’s needs, help your boss determine the productivity tools that will help you do your job well. |
