You have landed the job of your dreams, but are you out of the woods?
Well, not quite.
You might have nailed the interview and impressed the hiring manager, but you still have to make a good impression on your new boss if you want a prosperous future with the company.
Getting off on the right foot with a new boss can be tricky. You don’t want to be seen as a suck-up, but you also want to set the right tone for your new working relationship.
The good news? It’s possible to get off on the right foot.
Try these practical tips to make the best impression:
1. Be genuine.
When building a relationship with a new boss, be honest. Don’t pretend to be the person you think your boss wants you to be. You may not know what your boss wants, so making assumptions can be dangerous.
Putting on a mask means you’re committing to keeping up appearances. That’s exhausting! Instead, be authentic. Avoid over or under-selling yourself.
Commit to being the best version of yourself. Always be honest – even if that means owning up to mistakes.
2. Learn how your boss communicates.
Any therapist will tell you that communication is the key to a good relationship. How do you communicate effectively with your boss?
Learn their style of communication. Do they prefer a phone call or text? When you must address something, can you communicate via video call, or do they want you face-to-face? Once you understand their preferences, you can build a better rapport.
The Harvard Business Review recommends asking your boss directly how they prefer to communicate. Even if they don’t give you a great answer, they’ll know that you’re approaching your job with the right attitude and that you want what’s best for the organization.
3. Know what your boss wants.
Pay close attention to the things your boss values. What actions do they praise? What do they emphasize when they ask for great work? What puts a smile on their face?
Once you know what makes your boss happy, you can act in a way that aligns with your boss’ values.
4. Do your job.
This sounds super obvious, but it’s easy to overlook the simple things! Sure, it’s nice to volunteer for other projects or committees, but your boss hired you for a reason – they want you to get the job done.
Want to make a strong impression? Commit to getting tasks done according to instructions and the requested timeline. You may be the first to arrive at every meeting, but if you’re not delivering results, you won’t keep your job for very long.
5. Commit to the long haul.
No boss wants a flaky employee who will disappear as soon as a better offer comes. How do you show your boss you’re committed to growing the business?
Discuss your vision for the future with them. Let them know what your goals are and ask about what you can do to succeed in the long term. When you show that you’re serious, they’ll be willing to help you reach your goals.
You can enjoy a great working relationship with your new boss if you're honest, learn their communication style, and do your job. You're on the right path as long as you give your boss what they want and commit to working with the company. Soon, you’ll develop a strong rapport with your boss.
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