femalenetwork.com

It’s your first day at a new job. You’re supposed to be excited about this fresh start, but instead, you’re so consumed with anxiety, and there’s a knot the size of a grapefruit twisting in your stomach. That’s because all eyes are on you, making you feel self-conscious and way out of your comfort zone. A zillion questions swirl through your head: What’s the best way to impress the boss? Meet the “right” people? Stand out with my work? And just how long will it take to go from feeling like an impostor to feeling like a player?

First, the good news: The adjustment phase usually lasts about three months. Now, the bad: They are the most important three months you will ever work. “That’s because first impressions stick,” says Lynn Brooks, coauthor of Seven Secrets of Successful Women (McGraw-Hill, 1997). And if you blow it, you are going to have to work very hard to make over your image. That’s why it’s crucial to cultivate a professions demeanor and avoid blunders that could stain your reputation. We asked career strategists and high-powered women for advice on how to be awesome when you’re starting a new job. Here are seven smooth moves that will set you up for success during the first hundred days—and beyond.

SMOOTH MOVE 1: Clean up the chaos in your life. Learning a new job demands intense concentration. So devote your undivided attention to building rapport with coworkers, conquering tricky software, and wowing big-deal clients, not juggling dentist appointments, car repairs, and furniture deliveries. That’s what Reena did when she left her job in corporate public relations to join the publicity office of a major broadcast corporation. Not only did she arrive at the most hectic time of the year for the network’s entertainment division, but the stars of a hit series were engaged in million-peso contract negotiations. “I had tons of work for the upcoming TV launch. I was deluged with media calls about the contract negotiations and had an incredibly steep learning curve,” recalls Reena. To avoid distractions, she asked pals not to call her at the office, took a vacation from the gym, and froze her membership with a professional organization. The result? “I felt calm every morning,” she says. “I was no longer worried about interruptions.”

SMOOTH MOVE 2: Don’t take on the whole world. Face it: You’re not Wonder Woman. And the company didn’t hire you to solve all its problems. It’s better to focus on a few key tasks (and do them all well) than to accept beaucoup assignments (and get in over your head). Donna learned that lesson the hard way when she became the food and entertainment director for a specialty food store. “I meddled,” says Donna. “I’d suggest ideas for projects in different departments, and when people said ‘That will never work,’ I’d try to prove them wrong. My fingers were in so many pies that I didn’t get anything accomplished.” After two months, Donna’s boss told her to focus on projects where she could make an impact rather than spread herself so thin. “I should have outlined my priorities from day one,” she says. “It’s not only good manners to stick to your knitting; it’s smart business.”

SMOOTH MOVE 3: Remain apolitical. As we all know, coworkers love to gossip, but take what they say with a grain of salt. It may or may not be correct. Collect information by listening carefully (to read between the lines) and watching closely (to catch power plays), but keep opinions to yourself. “You don’t know, the history or the players, so you’re not in the position to comment on office politics or policies,” says Carla, a communications specialist for a retail giant. “If you take sides or pass judgment, you’ll offend people—especially the boss and the higher-ups.”

SMOOTH MOVE 4: Suss out the corporate culture. Every company has unwritten rules. Follow them and you’ll get promoted; ignore them and your career will stall. “It’s a waste of time to buck the system,” says author Lynn Brooks. For example, if 50-hour weeks are standard, don’t ever expect to leave the office by 5 p.m. “Instead, understand the corporate culture and figure out how to fit in,” adds Brooks. Do managers value initiative? Can you drop by the boss’s office unannounced, or do you need an appointment? Before investing P1,000 on a Christmas present for the boss on your own, find out whether there’s a gift-giving policy. In some environments, gifts are considered bribery; while in others, they’re expected.

SMOOTH MOVE 5: Hit the ground running. In a perfect world, you’d have a three-week grace period to master the job. But the truth is, employers expect you to produce immediately—and without much training. “Be prepared to learn a lot of things on your own,” says Vicki Spina, author of Success 2000: Moving Into the Millennium With Purpose, Power, and Prosperity (John Wiley & Sons, 1997). To get up to speed, stay late at the office and bring work home. It’s also okay to enlist coworkers’ assistance, as long as you don’t become a pest. “No question is too dumb, but don’t ask the same ones over and over—or too many questions of the same person,” Spina advises. Prepare a list of questions, take notes and give a token of thanks—a box of chocolates, fresh flowers, or gourmet coffee—to those who are particularly helpful.

SMOOTH MOVE 6: Dress the part. If you’re like most women, you wouldn’t dream of going out on a date without a flattering outfit, flawless makeup, and a killer hairdo. Follow the same strategy at work. “When you look good, you feel good and project confidence,” explains Susan Fignar, a corporate image consultant in Chicago. If your budget allows, update your wardrobe each season with a new jacket or accessories. But keep in mind that what’s okay in advertising isn’t necessarily acceptable in banking. Take your cues from the industry norm—and the higher ups.

SMOOTH MOVE 7: Cut yourself some slack. Don’t try to be perfect. “Mistakes are not the end of your career,” says Pam Gilberd, author of The Eleven Commandments of Wildly Successful Women (Macmillan Spectrum, 1996). “Instead of getting angry, successful women correct a mistake and learn from it,” Lisa followed that strategy when she became classified manager for an advertising firm that specializes in real estate. “I processed 400 ads per week on a tight deadline. Sure, I made mistakes. But I didn’t let it zap my confidence,” she says. “Instead, I reminded myself that I’m only human.” The payoff? Eighteen months later, Lisa’s star is rising. She recently got a fat raise, an assistant, and extra responsibilities. “Focus on your accomplishments and potential,” advises Lisa, “not the mistakes that happen while you’re learning the job.”