I am starting my first job with coworkers and a boss. Give me advice.

[Anonymous]

35yo, never had coworkers or a boss before and I'm starting a new job soon. It's a small company of 45 employees.

Any tips for making a good first impression and navigating workplace relationships?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:35yo, never had coworkers or a boss before and I'm starting a new job soon. It's a small company of 45 employees.

Any tips for making a good first impression and navigating workplace relationships?

what did you do before this?

By 35 hopefully you have some social skills and can act like a normal human in an office.

[Anonymous]

Be a 'team player'. Have a good attitude, even when you don't like a work situation. Don't gossip or get involved with gossip. Be on time and don't watch the clock the first few months. As if there is anything you can help with if you don't have enough to do. If you see something that needs to be done, take initiative and do it (ex papertowels are out in the breakroom, paper or toner for the copier, etc...) Don't have an entitled attitude. Be gracious and eager to learn. Overall, try to enjoy the new job and meeting potential new friends.

[Anonymous]

Balance initiative with humility: "I thought I'd do X, but I just want to check first in case you have a different process here." You don't know why they do it their way / what battles have already been fought over that.

[Anonymous]

Make your boss's life easier. That's literally the key to getting ahead, winning trust, and having autonomy.

Basically, your boss is constantly dealing with headaches and putting out fires. To the extent you can make your boss's life easier and - this is very important - NOT be a source of headaches, you'll eventually get free reign to do your work as you want.

[Anonymous]

I'm impressed you made it this far without coworkwrs and a boss! What's your career trajectory been like? Or were you getting your PhD?

Your coworkers are like contractors. Your boss is your client.