HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR FIRST WEEK AT A NEW JOB!

Starting a new job can be both daunting and an exciting new chapter in your life, you get the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. Last week I started a new position at work, it was an amazing opportunity that I couldn't turn down, although for me I had an easier transition into the role as I already knew the team. For those of you starting in a new role in a new company here's a few tips to help you survive the first week.

1: Make a good first impression
Leaving a good first impression in your colleagues minds is very important, during your first week you're learning the procedures and processes of the position and the company. Ensure you let your employer know they've made the right decision, don't do any of the following:

• Show up late - Being punctual is very important to all businesses.
• Take too much time on your lunch break - Come back on time and be ready to start working again.
• Look too keen to leave the office - If you've got 15 minutes before your due to leave, start something new or keep yourself busy by filing emails so you can start fresh the next day.
• Take personal calls - If a call is very important, notify your boss that it needs to be taken and move away from your desk.
• Ignore the dress code - If you've been told its smart/casual or corporate stick to it, don't show up in jeans! 

2: Ask questions

Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's the easiest way to learn, people normally prefer you to ask and feel comfortable completing a task rather things be done incorrectly. Ask as many questions as you can to fully understand and learn about your role, although this said, think before you speak. Some people believe "there's no such thing as a stupid question", in my opinion there is. Think and consider what you are asking, don't ask questions for the sake of it.

3: Listen & write everything down

Take time to listen and absorb as much information as you can, when being shown a new task listen carefully and make notes to ensure you can repeat the job. Even if you don't need to refer back to your notes, the process of writing them down can make them stick in your mind. Although if you're having a blank moment and need a little help the notes are there.

4: Relax, mistakes will happen
The new workload may seem demanding compared to previous roles or simply different, under any circumstances you've got to remember to relax. When learning anything new, mistakes are bound to happen we're only human after all. The best thing to do is remain calm, resolve the issue and understand what went wrong and why.

5: Offer to help but don't overcommit yourself

During the first couple of weeks in a new job you may find yourself with little to do at times, this could be due to your team still figuring out what your exact duties will be. Don't look at this time as a free period to browse your Instagram feed, use your initiative and ask if any additional help is needed on current projects. This demonstrates your interest in the role, your "can-do" attitude and that you are willing to get involved and help other colleagues with their workload. Although don't over commit and take on 3 times as much work as you're able to handle, this can have the opposite effect and demonstrate you can't get the job done in a timely manner. Be realistic and pace yourself.

6: Build relationships with your colleagues
Building relationships with your colleagues is one of the most important aspects of beginning a new job. Get to know who you're working with and ask questions about their interests and hobbies, you may find you have things in common. Above all else be friendly and don't forget to smile!

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

DUOLINGO || LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Want to learn a new language?

About 8 weeks ago I decided to learn a new language, at the time I was applying to work in France. Therefore I thought French would be beneficial, although my plans have changed I’ve decided to continue learning the beautiful language. Knowing another language is a skill that is highly desirable. Not only does it show you’re focused it demonstrates your ability to retain new information.

I wanted a free way to start learning French and I came across the app Duolingo, you will be spoilt for choice with this app. It's very easy to use, after 8 weeks I’m writing, reading and understanding basic French.

It has several different teaching techniques:

• Reading English and writing in French (vise-versa)
• Listening to French and writing what is said in French
• Speaking French (Obviously this can only go so far)
• Matching French to English pairs

Each section is broken down into categories starting with “basics” from basic words, phases, food, animals, adjectives and plurals. Once each section is 100% complete then you can move on to more complex areas. I’m still on the basics and currently on plurals, it may not seem like I’ve got very far in the 8 weeks but I like to keep repeating each lesson to ensure I understand it before I move on. I think if you’re not 100% confident before you move on it can make it difficult to understand more complex areas! Each to there own though, as everyone learns differently but that’s my opinion :)

I do have a lot of love for this app and I know it’s helped me learn very quickly as I do it daily. Although there are limitations from a conversations point of view. Improving your speaking skills is so important when learning a new language and the app can only do so much. Since I’m serious about learning to my full potential I’ve decided to enrol in an evening class.

This app is great and I would suggest it to anyone wanting to learn the local lingo for a holiday or to gain a new skill. If you’re unsure whether a certain language is right for you, Duolingo gives you the opportunity to learn a little bit and see whether you want to invest in a class like I am.

Right so I’ve praised this app enough for one day, I hope you found this helpful and give it a go! Learn something new :)

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

CAREER TIPS || HOW TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL

How do you become successful in your field?

So, this has always been a question on my mind. I've always wondered how successful women got to the point their at. Yes, I understand its hard work and dedication but how about more of a breakdown? Well I've been researching and asking questions. I've come up with these 5 steps which have helped me set out my ambition on paper.

1: Set clear goals

Sit down and decide what your long-term and short-term plans will be. These don't have to be accurate but just what you desire to achieve. Make a plan on how you're going to achieve the goals. If you don't have this clear plan in your mind it can be difficult to achieve your set goals.

2: Believe in yourself

This is so important, you need to believe in yourself and your ability to achieve what you have set out to do.  Remember to be true to yourself and don't let other people steer you away from your goals. 

3: Show respect for others

Ever heard the expression "treat others like you would like to be treated". This is very true, on several occasions when I've had an issue at work I've handled the situation and spoke to people how I would want others to approach me. Believe it or not, people are more willing to help you if you treat them with respect.

4: Be organised

I believe organisation is key to a successful work life, I personally have a "to-do list" each week with a specific date and time for each task to be completed. This keeps me organised and ensures I don't miss any tasks. If you miss even a "small task" it can reflect poorly on you as an individual.

5: Know when to say no

A few years ago I would say yes to everything, although this backfired as I ended up disappointing people as I didn't have the time or energy to complete everything to a high standard. This is why I started saying NO when I knew I couldn't fit all the tasks in. Although I do try and compromise by moving things around to accommodate the tasks which need to be done. Just know that it is ok to say NO. People will respect you more as your being truthful with them.

Do you have any advice on how to become successful?

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx