A new job involves navigating a number of transitions at once. From logistics (where’s the bathroom again?) to interpersonal (don’t touch Adam’s yogurt!), you have a lot to learn in your first days in a new organization. Added to this, you need to acclimate to a new professional culture as quickly as possible.
There is broad agreement that company culture is a key contributor to the success of an organization. In a survey, 88% of employees voiced this opinion. However, getting up to speed in a new setting can take some time.
Think about it like moving to a foreign country. The sooner you learn the expectations and the unique social cues, the happier you’ll be. The same is true in a new company. It’s important to learn the cultural setting in order to set the stage for your success in the firm.
But don’t worry. There are steps you can take. Here are some tips to immerse yourself in a professional culture from the get-go:
Becoming Part of Professional Culture from the Start
Take Advantage of the Recruiting Process
Start your immersion into the corporate culture as early as possible. In fact, you should begin before you’ve even received an offer. During the recruitment process, learn as much as you can about the company’s culture and how well it fits with your own expectations and values.
If you end up joining the company, this head start will let you integrate more quickly. Meanwhile, a close look into cultural concerns will help you decide whether to take the job in the first place. A good cultural match is crucial to a rewarding and successful tenure at a company.
Do a Deep Dive Before Your Start Date
Don’t wait until your first day to initiate your cultural education. Jumping off from what you learned during the recruitment phase, begin forming a picture of the company’s vision and values. Complement this with additional information gathered from other sources, such as:
- Talking to HR and your future supervisor
- Looking on social media
- Checking out media reports about the company
- Scrolling through employee review sites, like Glassdoor
- Touching base with your network for any inside info
Talk to Your New Coworkers
In any company, there is an official culture that exists in memos and on the social media feed. Then, there is the actual day-to-day culture as lived by the employees. Make sure you learn about both.
To do that, you’ll need as much information from your new coworkers as possible. As you look for details about the corporate culture, don’t just take your cues from management. Instead, reach out to those around you. Learn from your peers and follow their leads.
While you should gather cultural data from everyone, it helps to have a specific guide. Along these lines, try to find a mentor. This way, you’ll have a single individual you trust to show you the ropes.
Participate in Company Events
At its heart, culture describes the way people within an organization interact with each other and with the outside world. The best way to internalize this is to see it in action. As such, you should look for ways to connect with your coworkers — and observe how they react to each other.
Again, imagine you’re visiting a foreign country. To learn about the customers and traditions in an alien environment, you often need to jump into a local setting and see what happens. The same principle works in your new company. Look for opportunities to join company events. This way, you’ll get up to speed quickly.
Want to Find a Professional Culture That Best Fits You?
A good cultural fit increases your chances of success. A top recruiter, like Elby Professional Serves, can steer you to the ideal environments for your skills and background.
Contact Elby today to find an opportunity and culture that is right for you.
