Usually we have a very short time to adapt to the work culture when we join a new job. If you stumble during this process, you might ruin your chances there by making an irreplaceable first impression. So, be alert and learn fast the about the work culture.
Many of us make the mistake of prioritising responsibilities of our new position. This is important, but so are the unwritten rules of conduct at work. So, while we focus on learning the ropes of work, one must also learn to read the company tea leaves if you plan to make a successful career in the new organisation.
Image Credit: Movie – Devil Wears Prada
The first thing that Raj Chedda learnt after recently joining Infosys as a consultant manager was the new culture of rumour wine in the office. It was not present at his earlier organisation. So, he immediately became more cautious of gossip.
Here Are Three Things You Must Observe To Learn About The Company Culture In A New Job
How They Build Relationships?
Workplaces differ in how they build relationships. Some places are such that different people collaborate only when they face common projects, while in some places there are more open offices where the work relationships are casual. Also, it is important to know whether an office requires intensive facetime with team, or just working through mails and texts is enough to build associations. Observe where and how your colleagues get work done and make decisions.
How Do They Communicate?
Observe whether the people always communicate through formal channels like meetings, for which they prepare well in advance, or whether the team is open to casual discussions for new ideas and brainstorming sessions. You can also learn about the emphasis placed on hierarchy. Whether your boss believes in appointment by mail or whether he or she believes in an open office culture?
Raj also learnt of the amazing communication portal at his new workplace. He says, “It helped me in building instant and useful connections for any help I required. I also learnt that though mails are important, it is also important to speak up in the meetings, when you have new ideas.”
Where Are The Decisions Taken?
Does the organisation take formal decisions only in meetings with heavy documentation of discussions or is it the kind of culture where decisions are also taken near the coffee machine? Watch for whether the decisions made in the meetings get implemented. If you see people agreeing to some set of actions in a meeting, and then notice that other things happen afterward, that suggests there are strong informal decision-making mechanisms at play.
So, be alert to these things to learn about the work culture when you join a new job.
Read Also: How To Understand A Company’s Culture Before You Join
