“Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for – in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.” – Ellen Goodman

Starting a new job can be tough. There’s the whole process of meeting people and getting settled in, not to mention figuring out how the coffee machine works. But with some simple ideas, the transition can be a pleasant and rewarding one.

Learn about the company. This starts with corporate culture and dress code, but goes further. Know who you’re working for. Study financial statements if the company is public and use the internet to dig up whatever reports you can find. Doing so beforehand (while preparing for the interview) would be your best bet.

Learn about the job. Sit down with your boss and set personal objectives. Know what is expected of you and make sure you get regular feedback on your performance. It’s been said that the biggest reason people fail in new jobs is because their expectations are not aligned. You’ve got to be on the same page to prevent any miscommunication from landing you in trouble.

Learn about the people. You’ll be interacting with a lot of people on a regular basis and so it makes sense to get to know them. Take an active interest in their lives. Build strong relationships with the key people you’ll be working with and who can help you out when the need arises. Also, try to find a mentor who can guide you as time goes by. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if resources are there for that reason.

Learn about the processes. Many might look around to find things that don’t make sense and consequently want to suggest change. But you’ve got to understand that sometimes things are the way they are for reasons you don’t yet understand. Take the time to figure out how things work by asking lots of questions. Once you know, put yourself in a position to start getting opportunities. Of course you don’t want to load yourself with too much too soon, but the ultimate goal is to keep building on your strengths and add value wherever you can.

Learn about your skills. Jobs are about learning so don’t get sidetracked by money and other perks. By taking on extra work (and trying to make professional coaching part of the package) you build valuable skills that make you a better worker and a better person too. You learn about communication and negotiation, skills that will come in handy throughout your life. Keep track of all the projects you do and what they taught you in a professional file. Writing these down in clear and concrete terms will make updating your résumé a breeze.

Learn about the limits. Even though we spend a third of our lives at work, you’ve got to know where to draw the line. I’m not talking about showing no commitment because jobs for life are a thing of the past. (In fact, it’s a good idea to stay in the job for at least two years and rotate to new departments lest you be seen as flaky to future employers.) It’s simply about learning to switch off when it’s time to do so. Don’t take your problems home or else the stress will be the end of you.

 (To download your completely free copy of the South African or International edition of Work in Progress, right-click and save the relevant link. Then open, enjoy, and repeat as needed. Check this out too.)