Everyone loves that phone call, email, or handshake with the wonderful phrase, âYouâre hired!â But now what? Now that you have landed your new job, what should you expect in the coming months? How will you be able to succeed in your position?
A simple way to stay employed is to meet your employerâs expectations. As you grow in your position, your job responsibilities and your employerâs expectations will change. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your progress to ensure that you will not only keep your job for the years to come but land a promotion.
What to Expect During the First Week:
On the most basic level, your employer will expect you to be on time, dressed appropriately, and be well groomed for your first day on the job. Your coworkers will expect you to make an effort to be pleasant and remember as many names as possible. Employees who are blind or visually impaired are not expected to recognize their coworkersâ voices during the first week, but make an effort to start recognizing the coworkers who sit closest to you. You should expect to be supervised closely as you start learning how to perform your job. Be sure to ask questions and have a clear understanding of your job responsibilities. Use this first week to establish a positive work reputation.
What to Expect During the First Month:
After you have been in your new position for a month, your boss and coworkers will expect you to have a handle on your job responsibilities. Make sure you are on time everyday and you are scheduling your breaks accordingly. It is also important for you to have an understanding of the written and unwritten company policies and know about informational structures and how to fit in at work. Blind and visually impaired workers should be able to recognize most employees and be able to easily navigate the new environment by this time. As with any new employee, you will have a decrease in supervision and should show an increase in production. At the end of the month, you should finally feel at home in your new position. Be sure to determine your companyâs policy regarding performance evaluations and probationary periods to ensure your position for months to come.
What to Expect Six Months to a Year:
You have now mastered your position. Your job responsibilities should be second nature, you should be completing your job tasks easily, and you should start assisting newly hired workers in your department. Now is the time to start thinking about your future with the company. Employees who become self-directed, find productive tasks to work on during slack times, and show a willingness to expand their work skills through off-the-job training will stand out amongst their coworkers. If you wish to move up in your company, you should demonstrate a commitment to your employer through active involvement in company-sponsored events and community projects. Continue to be diligent in your position and strive for a promotion but donât develop a false sense of security. You should always continue to meet company standards no matter how long you are in a position.
Want to learn more about changing employer expectations? Check out the Maintaining Employment module in the Job Seekerâs Toolkit. Register for APH CareerConnect today to access free, online courses that will help you succeed in your career.