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The New Job

People make more transitions now than in the past, to new jobs at different companies, or even at the same firm. The impressions you make early can be an asset or a liability.

You must make an impression of competence - but going too far may make you seem arrogant and dismissive of the corporate culture. You should first seek to establish a reputation as a team player who wants to "fit in" to the new environment before trying to stand out.

Asking questions can be a productive way to learn - do not fear seeming incompetent, as people expect a "new" person to have questions, and are often happy to provide information that might take you a while to intuit on your own.

Take the initiative in meeting people, but avoid instant "friendships." Some people may wish to take you under their wing and make your feel at home - but others have more sinister motives in latching onto someone who's too new to know the landscape and/or their personal agenda.

EN: See notes on previous chapter cautioning about "fitting in" with an organization - the same applies to an internal move to a different unit.


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