Transition to Work

Workplace Etiquette 

During your first few days and weeks, observe interactions among colleagues and ask questions to learn about company culture and professional expectations. Good things to note are: 

• What will the training consist of and what are the expectations of when to complete it?
• Are there specific times for breaks and lunches? Is there a place to eat? 
• Who do you report to and how will you communicate with your supervisor, do they have a preference for email? Teams? Scheduled meetings? Informal? Formal? 
• Clarify the policy for sick days, how to communicate sick days, vacation requests, flex time, remote work, etc. Some organizations may have limits until you have passed the probation period or if it is a contract role.
• How will your performance be evaluated and when?  Is there opportunity for check in meetings? 
• What are the first projects/tasks you will work on and what are the timelines for completion? 

Rights and Responsibilities in the Workplace 

It is a good idea to get to know your rights and employment standards as you transition to the workplace. Here are some helpful links to reference as needed 

• Your Rights and Responsibilities in the Workplace: Guide to occupational health and safety
• Employment Standards Act: Laws and policies such as vacation time, stat holidays, minimum wage, leaves, and termination
• Ontario Human Rights Commission: Protected social areas from discrimination
• Accommodations and Disclosure – Information to support your decision

Probationary periods are very common and can range from 3 months to one year. This is when an employer will assess how the new employee aligns with the requirements of the role and workplace expectations. Usually, a meeting will be held with your manager at the end of that period to offer feedback. During the probationary period, be sure to get familiar with organizational processes, focus on your learning your job and when offered, incorporate suggestions for improvement.

Settling Into Your New Role 

New jobs can be exciting yet challenging. If you start to feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. Many people experience this and sometimes even doubt their abilities.   

Remember to practice self-compassion. Visualize things going according to plan vs. worrying about it going wrong. Find a mentor / friend to talk it out. Try LinkedIn to find out if there are any connections with the employer to continue building your momentum with that organization.

Practice reframing your thoughts. For example:

I don’t have the relevant skills for this role.

Try: I was hired for this role so someone believes I can do this job. This is an opportunity to improve my skills and gain experience which will help me feel more confident in the future.

I don’t know if I know enough to do this job.

Try: I will ask what the training includes, and ask if it is possible to schedule check ins so I can ask questions while I’m learning the job.

I don’t have enough experience.

Try: I was successful in the hiring process. All my experiences and transferable skills will help me in my new role.

A couple of tips

• Be engaged in your training. Keep notes of what you learn so that you can refer back to them, just like you did in class. Schedule time after you get home to review new information. Inquire about what would be most helpful to know, especially in cases of brief or informal training and organize the information into sections to create your own training resource. This will be invaluable and communicate to your manager that you are committed and engaged.
• Keep track of your questions. Keep an ongoing list of questions and categorize them as ‘urgent’ and ‘not urgent’. Then, sort them by who can help, e.g. can look it up yourself, ask a colleague or supervisor. Ensure you record the answer for later reference. Just like in university, you are responsible for your own learning.
• Be open to and apply feedback. Expect a period of adjustment (learning curve) when moving from student life to full-time work. Mistakes will happen. Take accountability and adjust your approach for the next time.
• Allow time to adjust. Professional jobs often take a year to learn the whole work cycle and to gain an understanding of how your job contributes within the organizational context.
• Expect to encounter challenges. The best learning happens when you are stretching your comfort level. This will strengthen your skills, and foster resilience and adaptability.
• Practice self-care. Carve out space for prioritizing your physical and mental well-being after work.

Not everyone approaches their work the same way. Understanding your preferences for how you work best and understanding others can help you feel more comfortable at work and help you avoid potential conflict. Consider meeting with a career counsellor to take a personality assessment or discuss self-reflection activities to boost your self-awareness.

Career Management and Goal Setting 

Whether or not it is part of your performance evaluations, it is a good idea to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals for success. Learn how to do your job well, then plan for your professional development. Consider:

• What would you like to learn next? Check out these career-ready skills videos for ideas
• What certifications / training have other professionals in the field have pursued?
• What will bring value to the company or your own development? 
• How do you plan to stay relevant in your industry, and keep up to date (new courses/technology) 
• Write your professional development goals down to keep yourself accountable. Create a one year, three year and five year plan.
• Be ready to share with your employer if you are asked to set goals as part of your evaluation. Inquire if there are PD funds to assist and take advantage of unexpected learning opportunities that arise.

Seeking Advancement?

Understand that the first job is often a learning experience rather than a perfect match. Once you have established yourself in the role and are ready for a new challenge, consider opportunities for growth within an organization. Talk with your supervisor about taking on additional projects or responsibilities. Companies prefer to hire from within, once they know their employees’ work ethic and productivity. Many people think they have to look outside of their current employer for growth which is not always the case. Just keep in mind that advancement and changes to one’s job may take time to come to fruition depending on the organization’s processes.

Additional Resources

Mac’s Money Centre: Develop financial literacy skills such as budgeting, understanding benefits, and managing student loan repayment, understanding your paycheque.

Check OSCARplus for events, company recruitment sessions, workshops and job and volunteer postings to support your professional development.