After months of first dates you have finally found THE ONE… Accepting a new job is the beginning of a wonderful journey, but can also be scary if you aren’t a professional job-hooper like me.

So here are a few tips for you to remember when you start your new job if you don’t want your newfound love to run away from you.

Start fresh

Start the job as if it was your first job and forget all your old habits. Every company operates differently so don’t assume your new employer will be the same as your previous one. When you start, be open and learn their ways of working.

Don’t mention you ex

Of course, you will compare your new job to your old one, that’s normal. But please please please keep it for yourself. First of all, no one wants to hear about how great your previous job was. Secondly, if you liked it so much, why didn’t you stay there?

Kerb your enthusiasm

Even if you’re super happy to have found a new job, hold back from telling everyone about your new amazing job until the relationship had a chance to develop. You wouldn’t want to look stupid if it doesn’t work out. You’ll probably be on probation during the first few months and the job might not be as good as you had in mind so keep the big announcement for later.

Don’t rush

A probation period is a great time to learn to know each other. Take time to understand if you actually like the job before moving closer or cutting all ties with your ex-colleagues. Also, wait a bit before criticising the way they work or asking for a raise or promotion; your new boss will freak out if you start becoming too high-maintenance.

Be yourself (in moderation)

Obviously, you want your new boss and colleagues to like you but don’t pretend to be Mrs Perfect until you pass your probation to turn into Mrs Psycho the next day. You have to show a bit of personality but try to keep the crazy, annoying, lazy you (or whatever your dark side is) for yourself. It is work and you have to remain professional if you want people to take you seriously.

Starting a new job is like starting a new relationship, the first few months are about learning to know each other, both the good and the not-so-good sides, and deciding if it’s going to work out or not. It’s a mutual decision and you should never feel stuck in a job that you don’t love, there are plenty of other fishes in the sea.

The Job Matchmaker

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