I got the job! So now what?

The New Year has brought you re-energized fitness motivation, new travel plans, volunteer initiatives, and wouldn’t you know it, a new job!  You’ve searched long and hard in 2011 for the right position, and you have now made this dream into a reality.  Things are finally starting to feel right in your life and by golly, 2012 is definitely going to be your year.  May we be the first to congratulate you on your new endeavors! So, you’ve landed the job, but what exactly are you doing to ensure that you keep the job? We hate to rain on the “new you” parade, but according to the book Hiring for Attitude, “out of 20,000 new hires tracked, 46% of them failed within their first 18 months of a new position.” Being in the staffing industry, we can attest to this statement, as we’ve seen it time and time again.  There are many factors that play into this happening but the biggest factor, and the one that you have the most control over, is YOU! Yes, we said it; individuals, for one reason or another, are causing themselves to fail at their new jobs.  Don’t become part of this statistic and follow our advice to make sure that you have nothing but success in your new job!

Check your Attitude at the Door: In need of a little attitude adjustment? Don’t worry, most people do! Hiring for Attitude also cited that “when new hires failed, 89% of the time, it was for attitudinal reasons and only 11% of the time for a lack of skill.” It even went on to say that “the attitudinal deficits that doomed these failed hires included a lack of coach-ability, low levels of emotional intelligence, motivation and temperament.” Turns out, people’s attitudes are affecting their performance and resulting in failed jobs.  At the workplace, it’s important to keep your attitude in line and keep a level head, allowing you to be open to constructive criticism and coaching/training.  Be patient and keep your motivation on full blast, as your first 90 days will be under the microscope.

Be Flexible: When you first begin a job, it’s natural to have a plan in your head and agenda of what you’ll be tasked with on a day to day basis as you’ve been told so during your interview process.  However, things change, and plans and agendas change and they change all the time for that matter.  While it’s important to have a plan when you first walk in, it’s more important to be flexible and ready to make some changes.  It’s never smart to have a “this wasn’t in my job description” mentality.  Besides, employers want to see that you are willing to roll with the punches and can adapt to their ever-changing business.  The idea is to expand and grow, along with their growing business.

Keep the Glass Half Full:  Employers crave energetic, optimistic professionals.  They keep the office fresh and enthusiastic and help to keep employees engaged, thus resulting in higher production and a better place to work.  When you start your new job, put that shy cap away and get to know your colleagues, keep positive and avoid those employees that are “bad seeds” and are constantly bitter.  Praise and encourage those around you, and create a positive aura for yourself.  Coworkers will notice, and trust us when we say that a friendly, optimistic personality will help you tap into the company grapevine and get noticed and promoted!

Have the Confidence to Deliver: From day one, you need to display the utmost confidence at your workplace.  Yes, this might be new territory for you, and you will have some training to undergo, but that doesn’t mean that you have to act timid.  Remember, you ARE good at what you do and if you weren’t, you wouldn’t have been hired in the first place! Face up to your weaknesses, learn from your mistakes and stay confident.

Be a Goal Setter: Your goal for last year was to land a job and you did just that, but don’t let the goal setting stop there.  Achievable goals allow you to stay focused and successful.  Staying focused and successful means long-term job stability and advancement.  Capicé?

Just remember, you are in control of your career and the success that comes along with it. You landed the job, now keep it and advance! 

Mark Murphy. (2011). Hiring for attitude. McGraw-Hill Companies.