Surviving First Few Weeks of a New Job

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  MilkDrinker on 13/03/2016 - 12:22

  +4

  Maybe find someone who knows the stuff you need to know, ask them questions, then give them a gift (after asking them what they like) for helping them out so much.

  Much better to ask and look stupid for a second (IF you have no other easy way like googling it) than look like you've been doing nothing for weeks after they check up on you.

  Or you can not do any of that, just advice from a stranger who you've never met on the Internet :P

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  Vampyr on 13/03/2016 - 12:38

  +2

  Always try things yourself first, if possible, have a suggestion when asking for help ("should I do x?" instead of "what should I do?").

  Ask those who will help you gladly, and be sure to praise them for their help and support individually and also in front of superiors.

  Most people will get a kick out of helping people because it makes them feel better about themselves.. But obviously these days most people don't have time to do their own work..

  Edit: good Luck! And remember that it's in the best interest of the company that you succeed. Everyone sucks at things when they start. In many cases, it takes more than a year to be competent. Keep things in perspective.

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  holdenmg on 13/03/2016 - 12:46

  +2

  You could probably point out to them that you could be more efficient if the induction training they offer incorporated training or familiarisation in the internal system they use.

  Consider what is on offer from NTAA, CPA Australia, ATO or others in respect of bridging your knowledge of Tax Legislation. Will your employer pay for seminars or updating your knowledge base that will ultimately benefit them?

  "and so far I've tried to ask a different person every time as to not disturb the same person over and over."

  The risk with doing this is you might pick up the wrong way of doing things and when things go wrong, you get asked "Who told you to do it that way" and you might not even remember who it was. Even if you do remember, they will deny everything or say they thought you meant something else.

  Realistically, you should be mentored or assigned one or two people that are responsible who know you are new and will have questions.

  Consider talking with HR about your experiences in the first few weeks (if they haven't asked) as what you are experiencing may be not just affecting you.

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  eqv on 13/03/2016 - 14:12

  +1

  Ask if they have a Standard Operating Procedure document? You could refer to the document first to see if the answer to your questions are there, that way it will be less disturbance to othe ppl.

  However, if they don't have such document, or there is stuff that are still unclear, then there's no way around it, you have to ask questions.

  You can have a chat with your boss as well on the challenge that you are facing as a new employee, a good boss would appreciate the feedback so that they can find a way to make the process better for everyone, and will help with the next batch of new employees.

  And when you ask questions to other ppl, don't forget to take notes. Good colleagues would be willing to spend some time to answer questions from the new guy, but if you keep on asking the same questions, I'm sure they'd probably get annoyed as well eventually, and would not reflect well on your adaptability skills.

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  QuickToThePointless on 13/03/2016 - 14:47

  +6

  I reach a blunt very often

  Best not to do that at work - What you do on your own time is your business - reaching for blunts at work is a bad career move, unless you are snoop dogg or one of the marley kids

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  Ughhh on 13/03/2016 - 16:46

  +5

  The work is harder than expected, mainly because:

  I am unfamiliar with the internal system they use
  I am unfamiliar with tax legislation (I'm a tax accountant)

  You better start doing some homework after work, either at home or staying back unpaid to familarise yourself with the system.

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  lasertip on 13/03/2016 - 18:56

  +4

  If you're unfamiliar with the tax legislation, and you're a tax accountant. Maybe you should start with this: http://www.thomsonreuters.com.au/tax-kit-2-2016-fundamental-…

  Includes a very comprehensive (and surprisingly not too difficult to read) textbook that you can work your way through and the fundamental legislation book includes almost everything you need like income tax, medicare levy, gst, fbt, super, international agreements, even the relevent constitutional and admin mechanisms.

  And, no I don't work for, or have any interest in Thomson Reuters or the book authors :)

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  [Deactivated] on 13/03/2016 - 21:17

  If you stated you had the skills for the task you are having trouble with, I'd study up. If you didn't claim to have the skills/knowledge, I'd discuss with supervisor/boss and state you need more guidance as you are not familiar with area. Id prefer staff ask for help rather than sit about getting nowhere for weeks. Anyway, If you can't do the work, they will see this by the results you produce so you may as well be upfront that you need help.

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  [Deactivated] on 14/03/2016 - 12:02

  Relax. Everybody goes through this, so don't stress about asking too many questions.
  People will only lose patience with you if you keep asking the same question.

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  [Deactivated] on 04/04/2016 - 14:19

  Relax, if it's guys helping you, then just take them to a strip club after work, tits and booze go a long way to saying thank you.
  And, if it's women helping you, then nothing says thank you like a good slap on the a$s.

  You are welcome !

  • 

    Doggiie on 04/04/2016 - 19:08

    My income only provides me with enough for the transport to reach the strip club unfortunately…