Tips for Acing Your First Few Weeks at a New Job

Date Posted: 05/6/2016

Starting a new job abroad can bring anyone anxiety, iyong tipong mapapaisip ka kung nagawa mo nang tama ang work mo, okay ba ang pakikitungo sa mga kasamahan mo, at kung anu-ano pa. Normal naman ang feeling na ganito as you are entering a new environment and meeting new people. The saying ‘you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression’ is definitely true and, although you impressed the interview panel, you now have to impress your colleagues who come from many different countries.

Aside sa pakikibagay at pakikiramdam sa mga bagong kasama, you also have a lot to learn about your day-to-day duties, the company culture, policies and systems. The faster you learn, the faster you will fit in. Mas madali para sa iyo to feel comfortable and be able to show that you are a valuable member of staff. The following tips will help ease the first few weeks, so read on.

Prepare

There are a few things you can do in advance to make sure your first week starts smoothly.

Ang una at pinaka importante is good grooming.  Make sure your hair is recently cut and your working wardrobe laundered and pressed so that you look your best. This will also make you feel more confident.  If your company has a dress code, you might need to do a little shopping. Buy smart business wear staples that you can mix and match. Business attire ang lagi nating mind-set sa pagbili ng damit, hindi casual or party clothes.  If you have a uniform, find out if you should collect it in advance or if there is a changing room and locker at work.

If transport to your work site is not provided, practise the journey to work during rush hour to see how long it will take and find the best route. Makakatulong din ito para maiwasang maligaw and you can familiarize yourself in the areas.

You probably looked at the company’s website before your interview. Look again to remind yourself about the company’s mission, organisational structure and key staff. This will make the induction process more meaningful and make you feel part of the organisation more quickly.  Pop a pad, a pen and a bottle of water in your bag – just in case.  Iba na ang prepared!

Make A Good Impression

Most people form instant judgements, so dress as smartly as you did for your interview.  Maligo, magmake-up, magpabango, mag-gel sa buhok kung kinakailangan.  Get up early to give yourself plenty of time to get ready.  Siguraduhing maayos ang pananamit to make a good impression.  Huwag ka papasok na mukha kang walang tulog o wala sa tamang sarili.

Eat a good breakfast and brush your teeth before you set out. Don’t pick up a snack on the way or expect to eat breakfast at your desk. You might not get a break until lunch time and you will think more clearly on a full stomach. Kailangan mo lahat ng energy food to keep you up all day long.

Leave extra time for the journey in case you get lost or the commute takes longer than you expected. Nobody will be impressed if you turn up late on your first day.

Smile and be friendly to everyone from the security guard to the CEO.  Every colleague will play a role in your life, so it’s important to have a good relationship with each of them.  Laging tandaan, lahat ng tao sa kompanya ay makakatulong sa iyo.  Kaya pangunahan mo na, kaibiganin mo silang lahat!

Pay Attention!

One of your colleagues will probably show you around and introduce you to day-to-day procedures. Make notes! Magtanong kung hindi sigurado.  Isipin mo na this person is busy, but dedicates some of his time para mag-explain and won’t be pleased if they have to tell you everything twice. Write down names, telephone extensions, security codes and passwords.  Isulat lahat ng importante para hindi makalimutan o malito.

Para hindi ka mawala sa bagong opisina, make a mental note of key locations – the stationary cupboard, the photocopier, the mail room, the recycling bin, the pantry, etc.

Listen carefully to details about informal things.  Maging alisto din sa mga kinaugaliang gawain ng mga katrabaho mo.  It might be your turn to make the tea this morning, you might need to bring in your own mug, wash your own utensils and more.  Makisama ka para madali ka maka-adjust.

Get Down To Work

It’s crucial to form a good relationship with your boss, so always be positive and willing.  Laging handa, positive-thinking at kakayanin mo lahat ng trabaho.  During the first few days, you will be given vital information about your role and instructions about your duties, so listen carefully, magfocus ka.  Understand your priorities and check in with your boss regularly.  Pag hindi ka sigurado, magtanong, wag manghula.

Be resourceful and use your initiative.  Try to work things out for yourself before you bother other staff unnecessarily. Magkaroon ng kusa na mapag-aralan ang mga bagay at ‘wag maging makulit.  Read signage, notices, internal memos and remember the company website will usually list essentials like staff names, contact details and lots of other useful information.

Do ask if you get stuck! It’s much better to double check kaysa magkamali and most of your colleagues will be pleased to help out.  It’s also a good way to develop relationships with them.  Ang pagtatanong ay makakatulong upang magkaroon ka ng mga kaibigan sa trabaho.

Be interested in your work.  You may be given routine tasks to start with while you learn the job and until your manager is confident in your abilities.  This is an opportunity to learn the basics.  Galingan mo lang, ipakita mong kaya mo and you will be quickly trusted with more demanding tasks.

Don’t rush off at the end of the day. Baka may makalimutan kang importanteng task na kailangan na pala matapos and it’s crucial you look willing. So, don’t make plans for your free time until you are familiar with your working routine.

Be A Good Colleague

Be a good team player and a helpful colleague, but be careful na mapasama agad sa mga grupo na hindi mo pa nakikilala talaga ang mga kasama mo or step on anyone’s toes by taking on their duties – and don’t let anyone take advantage by dumping their work on you.

If your colleagues socialise together during breaks, join in. Be friendly, but don’t ask personal questions, and definitely don’t get drawn into chismis!

Don’t be too shy to invite a friendly colleague to have lunch with you after a few days. The chances are you will make a friend – and find out more about your workplace.  Mix with all different nationalities and don’t just stick to your own kind.  Makihalubilo at makisama sa lahat, ipakita mong friendly ka.

Don’t say ‘we didn’t do it like that in my old job’. Bago na iyong work mo, so you have to let go and move on sa dati mong work.  It’s not relevant, hindi maganda ang mag-compare and your new colleagues will feel criticised. You might know a better way to do something – and that might be why you were hired – but take time to understand procedures in your new workplace before you comment.  Maging sensitive ka sa mga katrabaho mo para wala kang natatapakan.

Huwag na huwag magrereklamo about your previous job. If you’re mean about your old colleagues, your new ones might expect the same treatment and avoid you.

Last, but not least, turn up on time each day with as much enthusiasm as on day one! Mas masaya pag lagi tayong good vibes!