Congrats – you got the promotion, or new job! Now that the best is yet to come, here are some tips to help you succeed in your new role.
Do your research
Yep! You may well have done a lot of research to get your management position in the first place, but a little extra won’t hurt – in this case, it’s a must.
If you’ve just been promoted in the same company or department, you’ll know a lot about the company and the dynamics. If you’re new to the company, you would hopefully have asked about how the role came up, and who you’ll be managing. Go through your interview notes or your memory and think about how these questions were asked. Were any blatant or subtle hints dropped about someone else applying for the job who you’ll end up managing? Is you’re a completely new role, with a new team also?
These are all important details – if you don’t know, ask your new boss for some background information before you start.
Manners!
Being a manager doesn’t mean you can speak to or treat people like a prison warden – manners go a very long way. Simple things like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ will go a very long way in building up good rapport with your new colleagues.
Don’t let your nerves get the better of you
Being a little nervous is normal – starting a new job can feel very similar to starting at a new school; all the names and details you need to remember to get through the day. But the trick is to take everything slowly. Try to stay positive and remember what you can do – if you were not good enough, you really wouldn’t have been offered the job.
Getting the balance right
Not all new managers have the luxury of working all the hours God sends, and if you’re a working mum you’re likely not going to be able to stretch out your working day until security boot you out.
However, the truth is that your hours may well be a little (or a lot) more than your contracted hours in the first week or two. So, brief family and friends – you will need their help to cover childcare, while you make a good impression and get to grips with the new job.
Enjoy it!
This is the one time where everyone in your workplace will be super nice to you – they want to make an impression on you, too. You’ll be able to ask just about everyone for help and information without them turning you down, so milk it!
