Being successful as a new employee at Mayo Clinic

As the new employee, you'll be joining a team that undoubtedly has years -- sometimes many years -- of history at Mayo Clinic. It's not uncommon to hear, at Mayo, that you're the "newbie" for as many as three to five years!

Here are some tips to help you be a successful new employee.

• Observe and study the new work environment.
• Respect coworkers for their knowledge and experience.
• Spend considerably more time listening than talking.
• Avoid pre-judging others.
• When joining a new group, be a neutral party.
• Graciously extend assistance in areas where your expertise adds value.
• Recognize going in that you are the new employee and that it may take some time for you the group to accept you.
• Ensure that your actions as are in line with the comfort level of the group you are joining.
• Have lunch with as many different people as possible.
• Figure out how things get done and what is rewarded.
• Identify the priorities of your work unit, supervisor and coworkers.
• Don’t be a loner.
• Find out what other people do at your workplace. What are their skills and talents?
• Find out where to turn for help. Identify resources to answer your questions.
• Take advantage of the orientation period to meet people and get a feel for the operations of the work unit and organization.
• Avoid making suggestions too quickly. Involve others in your thinking.

(Adapted from Successful New Employee Orientation, Second Edition by Jean Barbazette)