There are a lot of people who wanted the job for which you were just hired. And despite the fact that you just signed the new hire papers, they still have a reasonably good chance of getting it. That is because with most jobs, the company has an evaluation period, the exact details will vary from company to company, and country to country. In the States, that is usually 90 days. Until that successful completion, you have not yet secured your job.
To become a more permanent fixture on the team, there are things you need to do, and mistakes you need to avoid. Here are 5 that will decide whether the 91st day has you going to work, or to the unemployment office:
1. Misusing Your Work-issued Phone
What is a misuse of a company phone? I don’t know either. It’s complicated. Every company is different. On top of that, every person has their own idea of what is or isn’t normal and acceptable usage.
What you need to know is that mobile phone forensics have reached a point where the company can and will know every screen tap and keystroke you made on your phone from the time you take possession of it.
If you accidentally or even intentionally delete data or break company policy using that phone, they can present evidence to that effect in a court of law. So assume that misuse of the company phone is anything beyond what is necessary for getting the job done. Otherwise, the job will be done by someone else.
2. Set Goals for the New Job
Showing up at work for the sole purpose of drawing a paycheck is a good way to have the number of days you show up cut short. That is because you will do only what is required to continue getting that paycheck, and nothing more.
Your supervisor will detect that lack of commitment right away. Instead of working toward a paycheck, you should be working toward a plan. Go in on the first day with that plan in writing. Share with your new supervisor what you hope to get out of the job. Let them know you are there for more than a paycheck. And you stand a better chance of being there longer than the evaluation period.
3. Be Likable
It is just human nature that if they don’t like you, they are less likely to keep you around. When people are fired, it is never officially because they were not well-liked. But that is almost always a part of the unofficial reason. You can tell this by the fact that well-liked people are seldom fired.
At some point, you are going to get swept up in office politics. Try as you may to avoid it, you can’t. You will need people to speak well of you, if not your manager, your coworkers. It is easy to find a reason to let someone go. It is considerably easier if that someone is not well-liked.
4. Do More
As a new hire, you have the perfect opportunity to practice the idea of going above and beyond. If you make a mistake, you can be forgiven for your enthusiasm. What you don’t want to do is sit around twiddling your thumbs while waiting for the next instruction. Take initiative.
5. Always Look Busy
You need to have a list of productive things you can be doing between assignments. Don’t let your boss see you browsing Facebook. Let them see you reading the HR manual. Let them see you doing practice assignments. When you are not busy, ask your supervisor a question. If you are going to be in the break room getting coffee, clean something up. Even when you are not busy, always look busy.
When being chased by a bear, you only have to outrun the other guy. If you want to keep your job, outrun the other guy. Don’t misuse the smartphone. Have a goal. Be likable. Take initiative. And look busy.