This week marks my one-month anniversary working at Blue Door Consulting, LLC as an Associate Marketing Consultant. To say the last 30 days were a whirlwind would be an understatement. My onboarding process focused on the kind of things you’d expect, such as policy and procedure reviews. But then there were the not so usual things, like what it means to be ‘dished’ and when ‘the flag is raised’ it is meant to bring an influx of clients, friends and family to the office.
Working at Blue Door Consulting is my first new job in nearly eight years and truthfully, I had forgotten about the challenges you encounter when you start a new position. Would my new coworkers like me? Would I like them? How am I going to fit in? Now that I’ve had a second to catch my breath, I’d like to offer some insight on how I managed to successfully fit in at my new job.
Be yourself and relax.
The hiring process at Blue Door Consulting was extensive. I had multiple phone and in-person interviews followed by homework that culminated in a presentation to the entire team. It made my first day a little less stressful because I’d already met the team and felt comfortable that they knew what to expect by hiring me. Still, I was nervous and I had to remind myself to relax. After all, my coworkers were in my shoes at one time and they were successful. Right?
Listen, learn people’s names, and find common ground to make a personal connection
Making a personal connection with your coworkers is one of the most important things you can do when you start a new job. Thankfully, BDC posts employee bios on their website, and I was able to read about my coworkers before I started. On my first day, for example, I already knew my coworker Ann Padley would have interesting stories about living abroad. Getting to know my coworkers in advance really helped to make a personal connection when I finally started, plus it kept my nerves at bay.
Pitch in – People like those who are willing to get their hands dirty (literally).
We’re a family at Blue Door Consulting. That means you clean up after yourself and pitch in around the office. Keeping the office tidy is truly a team effort and we keep it fun along the way. For example, if you are the first person to open a clean dishwasher, consider yourself ‘dished,’ and that means you have to put the dishes away. Answering phones, taking messages, and covering for each other is the norm, not only because it’s the right thing to do but because we really are a work-family.
Don’t be afraid to offer your expertise when appropriate. After all, they hired you for a reason.
If you know something, speak up! Offering insight and joining the conversation is a great way to build a rapport with teammates and share knowledge. The culture at Blue Door Consulting is one that promotes out-of-the-box thinking and spurs creativity. Although my genius ideas aren’t always met with the same amount of enthusiasm I delivered, there is a mutual respect and I don’t take anything personally. Not only am I encouraged to jump in and share ideas, but I feel comfortable and safe doing it.
So there you have it, my tips for successfully fitting in at your new job. But wait! I almost forgot the most important tip of all: Be patient! You’ve probably gone outside of your comfort zone before and you were probably successful. I know from past experiences in college, my first job, and just about any time I took on a new challenge, that if I am patient, things will eventually click. I always know that I will find my groove, and you will too. Good luck!
