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Starting your first job is one of the most amazing/rewarding/fun experiences to go through but its also the least talked about. There is a lot of information out there about how to start a NEW job or how to change careers, but almost nothing on starting your first office job and what to expect. I’ve learned a few things over my time in the office and here is one of the most important things I’ve taken with me; there is a fine line between enthusiastic and over-eager and YOU MUST NOT CROSS IT.

The first six months in any job is crucial, not only because its usually the probation period but also because this is when the first and lasting impressions are made. For those of us that have never been in an office environment before it can be pretty daunting and hard to navigate socially. When I landed my first full time gig I was over-the-moon ecstatically happy/proud/relieved that I spent a lot of time preparing for it. I made myself ready for the job, the tasks, the work-load, I was (painfully) prepared for the journey I was about to embark on. The only thing I didn’t account for was the office itself… But, how could I prepare for something I had never experienced before? How was I to know back then that offices are a cultural phenomenon where no two are the same and nobody is the same person once they step into them? Its not like people openly tell you these things!

By the time I realised how out of my depth I was I had taken to stifling my anxiety with enthusiasm in what seemed like an attempt to challenge the limits of my embarrassment. Please learn from my mistakes, no manager wants an employee that they can’t reign in. You need to be flexible, adaptable… you need to be the unassuming mini-van of employees. You’re not flashy or noisy, you’re practical, handy and good value for money. You’re an investment. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you should be a Ferrari, that’s for the older guys. When a newbie tries to be a Ferrari, even if they’re proactive, creative and basically the best employee ever with the potential to take over the world, all you do is alienate everybody, ooze entitlement and prove that you’re not taking anything seriously. By starting as a Ferrari you eventually become a bull-dozer and nothing is left untouched.

If you want to make a good impression without becoming a bull-dozer, here are five little tips that can go a long way:

• In a meeting, choose when you are going to contribute carefully. 3-5 contributions in a one our meeting is fine and of course you can ask as many questions as you like. Remember you’re new so you don’t know the back story in these meetings – its ok to be more of an observer than contributor so that you can gauge the people in the meeting as well as the topic. However, do make sure you are always engaged with the speakers and take notes.

• Don’t be too loud or bantery, even in your lunch break. Always be slightly reserved until you are fully immersed into your colleagues working routine and know them all well. They will warm to you more if you don’t act over-familiar with them. If you have time to spare feel free to ask your colleagues if you can help them with anything, but don’t mention specifics. If you ask to help them with a particular task you might be taking away a task they enjoy doing, or they might think you have an ulterior motive.

• Pitching new ways to improve or streamline a job or process is a positive step, but make sure it is conveyed in a positive way too. If you think something can be done better than it is currently being done, make sure your manager or colleagues don’t think you are criticising their routine, this can be easily misconstrued within the first six months. The key is to demonstrate to your manager/colleagues that you are competent at your current tasks and are working efficiently before pitching a change in your already new work-load. You must prove competency first, THEN show creativity. If your manager knows that you are doing a good job with your work they will be more open to your suggestions.

• If you have new ideas that you want to mention to your manager, set up a meeting. Your manager is likely very busy and doesn’t need you to pop in every time an idea strikes you or when its convenient for you. Schedule in time to pitch the idea so that you can prepare properly and answer any questions your manager may have. Also, don’t pitch more than 2 or 3 new ideas at a time as your manager may find this overwhelming, if it is within the first six months then your manager is still getting to know you and you need to allow for this.

Remember, you’re a mini-van. You are there for your manager’s comfort and convenience so help where you can but don’t try and do so much that you become a Ferrari, leave the flashy stuff for the guys that have already paid their dues and done their days as mini-vans.

If you’ve made the mistake of being a Ferrari and don’t know what to do next, here are some ways you can redeem yourself:

• Only take on new tasks if you are approached first. By now your colleagues/manager know that you are willing to help out, so let them come to you. That way you can still be helpful without being a hindrance.

• Make sure you spend more time perfecting old/current tasks before working on your own new projects. That way your manager will see that your priority is the business and not your own development.

• Allow your manager to see your competency in their own time by working hard and keeping your head down. Good work is appreciated more when it is not paraded.

• If a moment appears, tell your manager that you are aware of your behaviour and that you are working to change it. You could say something like,

I just wanted to let you know that I am aware that I may have come on a little strong in this new role and I don’t want that to alter your perception of me. I am excited to be working with you and my enthusiasm got the best of me but I am ready to work hard and get my head down’.

I wish I has known these things when I first started my job, office environments are tricky mistresses and navigating them takes a while to learn.

When I realised that I was scaring my manager I plucked up the courage to talk to him in a meeting and explain that I knew I was coming on strong and that all I wanted was to do a good job. He totally understood that I had good intentions and we wiped the slate clean. I got to redeem myself and it started a dialogue about where my wants and needs met the businesses wants and needs. Everybody wins!

I hope this gives you some indication of how to conduct yourself in an office if you’ve never tackled one before! Just remember, be a mini-van!

Has this helped you? Do you have any tips for first time employees?

Photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, & photo 4.