Making a good impression in a new job

"Perhaps the most important thing to remember about that impression is that how you do things is more important than what you accomplish in those first few weeks. You are helping your new colleagues to get to know what it is like to work with you. This approach is valuable whether you're entering the organization near the bottom or the top of the org chart."

"When you first start with a new company, you don't know what you don't know. Even if you have lots of experience in similar industries, you are still entering an organization with its own history, people, and ways of doing things. In addition, you are stepping into conversations that have been going on for a long time. Of course, you're going to want to immediately demonstrate your value to others, and it will seem like the best way to do that is to make suggestions."

"Start by listening: How do people talk to each other? What is the best way to build on other people's ideas? Which people in the organization have the respect of others? Who seems to have influence in meetings and behind the scenes? The best way to answer all of these questions is to listen. When you go into meetings with the intent to impress and say things, then you listen long enough to figure out what you're going to say next."

Starting a new job brings excitement and stress while presenting an opportunity to shape colleagues' view of working with you. Early impressions hinge more on how tasks are handled than on immediate accomplishments. New hires should listen first to learn organizational history, communication styles, and ongoing conversations before offering solutions. Observe how people interact, how ideas are built upon, and who holds respect and influence. Enter meetings to learn rather than to impress. Adopt a curious stance, assume limited knowledge, and act as a sponge to absorb practices and norms from colleagues.

Read at Fast Company