You've got the job. Now what?

Dubai - Trying to make the right impression? Don't pressure yourself

Walking into a new workplace can be as exciting as it is daunting, and many of us put pressure on ourselves to "make the right impression" on that first day.
But remember that you've already done the hard part at interview, so trust yourself that you've got this. And if you need a little helping hand, here are LinkedIn's top tips for kicking off your new career with confidence.
 
Stay informed to impress
Before starting a new role, make sure you're up-to-date with all the latest news in your industry. It would be good to connect with your new colleagues before hand to see if you have any shared connections or areas in common; offering a friendly conversation starter as well as an insight into recent and relevant points of interest that you could discuss.
 
Show off your expertise
You've got the job, which should give you a well-deserved confidence boost. Now it's time to show how passionate you are about your work by sharing relevant content, commenting on articles and sharing news with your network. Not only will this demonstrate to new colleagues that you have your finger on the pulse, it also raises your profile with peers in your industry which could open doors to new connections or even new clients or customers.
 
Speak your mind
All those great ideas brewing inside your head are useless without action, and action requires a voice. So don't be shy, make yourself stand out by sharing your wisdom and knowledge with people in your chosen industry. Failure to express yourself, meanwhile, perpetuates a damaging cycle: the less you speak up, the lower your chances of making a meaningful contribution.
 
Flex your skills
If you want to get ahead in your career, you have to be comfortable speaking about your job skills and the value you bring to an employer. Prepare for these future conversations by tracking your work accomplishments; this ongoing record of your professional achievements will not only help you prepare for your annual performance review and future salary negotiation conversations. Showcasing your skills can be the start of new conversations and opportunities, especially when you are new.
 
Cultivate your network
A new job doesn't mean networking should stop, if anything it's more important. Cultivating your professional network is a good habit to get in to. LinkedIn research recommends that just nine minutes a day of career management on either building your network or researching opportunities can make a real difference.
 
Don't ever stop learning
The fastest way to lose your edge, both in and out of the workplace, is to stop learning. So take risks, make mistakes but, more importantly, learn from them. Remember, when you're courageous, you develop new capabilities.
The writer is senior manager marketing and PR at LinkedIn Mena. Views expressed are her own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.