Too long in one job will dull a sharp mind...but you can beat it

When you have been with your company for some time, you find that you have got a bit too comfortable with how systems run. Enter a newbie, who finds the new job quite daunting and impossible at times. You can choose to make life easier for the newbie by offering orientation. As you do so, you can learn a thing or two from this individual.

1.    The right attitude matters

Newbies tend to add a dose of energy in the room. They tend to have unending curiosity and eagerness to find positive solutions to identified problems. Newbies also understand that the most skillful employees were once newbies at their job. Shaking of the initial missteps is crucial to moving on. Their output may not be on the high at the beginning, but with the right attitude and bringing their full selves to work, they will surely skyrocket the overall company productivity. Learn to have that attitude adjustment. Renew the passion and interest that seem to fade as years go by.

2.    Be detail-oriented

The urge to catch up makes newbies very attentive from start to finish. If being detail-oriented does not come naturally to you, it is time to challenge yourself and work on it. Due diligence takes extra time from the start of an assignment to the end. Being attentive will keep you on top of your game and save you a lot of time on preventable mistakes. With time, you will become one of the most sought-after consultants when colleagues are faced with problems. You will be able to own your domain and make your niche more conspicuous. Refresh your communication skills as well. Sometimes the impact is not in the information, but how the message is passed.

3.    Ask the hard questions

When you have worked at the same company for couple of years, you adapt to the “normal” way of doing business. You get used to doing things the way you’ve always done them. Settling on the job lessens creativity and innovation. In an attempt to understand the company’s mission, newbies offer a fresh set of eyes that see beyond what most employees notice. They ask the hard and sometimes the obvious ones. Even the most seasoned employees should always keep track of how they are contributing to the company’s mission and vision. That critical look into the processes and outputs could help you realise what you need to do better to get the company to its best.

4.    Manage your manager

Most employees go to their bosses with problems. It is time to change the narrative, go to your boss with solutions. That is what makes newbies noticeable at work. Regardless of your job description, if you are not yet the CEO, your job is to actually make the CEO’s life easier. If you are dependable and conscientious, that is all the power you will need to manage your manager’s job satisfaction. Do your part; go the extra mile, be professional, show up on time, take feedback seriously, and strive to get honest and authentic solutions for the challenges that come with the job.

5.    Garner support from co-workers

The best way newbies do this is by being friendly yet professional. Newbies are cautious about their manners. A “please” or a “thank you” can go a long way in striking good office relationships that are essential for teamwork. Nobody wants to work with rude or uncouth co-workers. Lose that sense of entitlement that degrades collaboration. Alienating colleagues by being too arrogant because a certain task is not entirely in your job description will not contribute to the company’s well-being. If you believe that you deserve something at work, you’d better make sure you deserve it. 

6.    Do not despair when work gets too problematic

If work was too smooth, you will not have any experiences to learn from. The reason you are hired is to find solutions to certain gaps. It is not going to be easy all the way. Tough times and overwhelming tasks are challenging to every employee, especially the newbies, but nothing is impossible. Instead of dwelling on the challenges, break the problem down into smaller parts that are easily manageable. Stay positive and focused on the job; eyes on the prize.

7.    Fill your time with meaningful work

You will probably not find a newbie busy goofing around on social media sites during work hours. Newbies keep busy and help out colleagues when they are done with their assignments. A long-standing employee however knows what’s already acceptable at work and can easily sneak in a few minutes on Facebook or Twitter. Spare some time to help out a co-worker who seems to be having a hard time accomplishing a certain task. You can still catch up on social media during your leisure time.