We’re coming to the end of 2020 and it is often said that the end of the year / beginning of a new year is the time most people decide to make big changes in their lives. And looking for a new job is one of them. If you’re about to start a new job, here are 5 things to consider as you embark on this journey.

 

1. Make the effort to get to know people. No one likes being the new person on the team, and if you’re like me, it can bring back memories of being the new girl at school (not the best memories!) But considering we’re not in high school anymore and you will probably spend most of your day in the workplace, it is important to try to build a relationship with the people you work with. So, make the effort to get to know them. Ask them what they did over the weekend, and tell them what you did. Ask about their family, partners and kids. And show genuine interest. People can usually tell when you’re just asking for the sake of it. Obviously, you don’t want to be too inquisitive so it’s important to know where to draw the line so you’re not invading people’s privacy.

​

2. Be willing to ask for help- don’t be proud and don’t pretend to know it all. When you’re the new person at work, it can be tempting to try to prove yourself, and pretend like you know everything. This is especially the case if you’re the new boss or manager. But, trust me, it is not a good idea, and you could be setting yourself up for failure. Ask for help if you don’t know or understand something. It takes months, years, even, to settle into a new role, so don’t worry if you feel like you’re not getting the hang of things immediately. Of course, you may have to do some extra reading and look up some things yourself, but asking for help shows vulnerability and gives your colleagues a chance to support you and get to know you better too.

​

3. Be willing to go the extra mile. It is good to work hard but a lot of people focus on just doing their jobs on a day to day basis and getting their pay check at the end of the week / month. But to really make an impression at work, you will need to go the extra mile. Going the extra mile means not just doing what you’ve been asked or employed to do, but thinking ahead to what comes next, or what could be done better. It’s not about sucking up to people or eye service, but about having and working with a spirit of excellence.

​

4. Be patient with your new colleagues. You may have come from a place where you were the life of the party, or everyone appreciated your work, but your current colleagues don’t seem too keen. Don’t be disheartened. People are naturally wary when a new person joins the team, and it can take some time for some of them to warm to you. So, don’t give up too soon, if you don’t seem to be getting along or making progress with your new colleagues. Give them time and continue being yourself. Sooner or later, they will see the value you bring to the team.

​

5. Pray for your colleagues. I always say, never underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer can change any situation. Pray for your colleagues even before you start getting to know them and continue praying for them more specifically as you get to know them better. If you get close enough to someone and they share personal issues with you, let them know that you are praying for them- you may one day even get an opening to share the Gospel with them, if they do not yet have a relationship with God.

 

Starting a new job can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember that God is always with you; if He has placed you there it means that He has a purpose for you to fulfil. If you will trust Him and honour Him in your work, He will cause you to flourish in your workplace.