What to Expect from your Manager

Are you fresh out of school, starting a new job or just wondering what  your expectations from your manager should be as a new employee?

I'm sure that if its a new or first job you're excited to be heading into work. If you're lucky, you've found a good environment, where the management staff take newcomers under their wings and mentor them, help them learn and fit in. However, it is often the exception, rather than the rule.

Here are some things that should/would happen in the ideal job. All of them may not happen to you, so be proactive and try to advocate for yourself or at least ask questions.

• Have a meeting with your manager within the first few days or weeks, to discuss what is expected of you.
• Ask specific questions such as, "Could you go over the job description, and give me examples of what is expected?" "Could you go over the performance review with me, so I know what you would call good performance?" Establish some measurable goals for the first six months on the job.
• Ask for a mentor/go-to person for the first month. This person would answer questions for you, show you where things are and provide guidance on policies, procedures and expectations. Managers are usually so busy, they are better off delegating this to a good employee.
• Ask your manager to provide a list of key co-workers so that you can ensure that they become potential advisers.
• Ask for advice about how to be successful in your new job. They will be pleased that you asked and impressed with your approach.
• During the first few weeks, ask your manager for a meeting at the end of six weeks. Tell your manager that you would like to touch base to check in to see if there are any problems with your performance. Don't wait until the end of your probationary period to find out there are problems. Also, if the job isn't what you expected, or your training is inadequate, that is the time to correct the problem.
• Watch and learn. Pay attention to how your co-workers interact with each other. Observe how people behave in meetings. Look for the best performers and study how they work. Try to figure out some of the unspoken rules.
• Be careful not to be drawn into a clique. In most workplaces, groups form. They gather behind closed doors or outside of work, and sometimes take negative action against others. Be friendly to everyone and refuse to be sucked into talking behind someone's back.
• Don't be shy about asking questions. Many new employees, especially fresh out of school, are reluctant to ask questions for fear of looking foolish or naïve. Don't make that mistake. They expect you to be ignorant about how things work. If you hear an unfamiliar phrase, or acronym, ask for clarification. That is better than making a foolish mistake because you didn't know.
• Let your enthusiasm show. Nothing is more important to an established group than the addition of new blood, energy and optimism.

Starting your new career can be filled with excitement and concerns, but if you take some positive steps along the way, your chances of success will be much improved. Have fun and good luck!

For more information, please contact the EOTB's Executive Director, Denis Thibault: 613.932.0210 or denist@eotb-cfeo.on.ca