2 DEC 2008 Article Index / Survive & Advance / Settling In

Settling into a New Role

Page 2 of 4

Initial Issues
Before going in on the first day, consider what 'image' the employer feels is appropriate to your job - appearance, clothes, life-style, attitudes. If you deviate from these, know what you are doing.

Soon after starting, try to establish:

  • The organisational structure.
  • 'Who's who' - formally and informally.
  • The relationship of your job to others.
  • Communications: up, down and sideways; 'dotted lines', support services available - eg, personnel department.
  • Preferred communication networks: word of mouth, memos, E-mail, committees, etc.
  • What sort of procedures or rules operate - written or oral - eg concerning health and welfare, discrimination, etc.
  • Whether the organisation has received BS EN ISO 9000 status or a similar quality accreditation.
  • The geography of the organisation.
  • The history of the enterprise.
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