Moving into work
You’ve left university and found a job. It can be challenging to change to a new mindset upon leaving university. But you can prepare for some of the changes that are happening.
Settling in
Knowing what is normal in your organisation can help you feel at ease and help you settle in faster. There is no harm in checking the work culture with a manager or a colleague in those first couple days of work. Some organisations have a written guide around cultural norms to help you settle in. Below are some suggestions in your first few days to consider.
- Dress code. Identify what is appropriate for the environment you’re working in. Does your organisation have dress down Fridays? Is business attire necessary every day or only for client visits? This type of nuanced knowledge can help you feel just that little bit more comfortable.
- Lunch and coffee breaks. How long are they and how often? Taking your breaks can actually show to managers you know how to take care of yourself and may help them trust you more.
- Digital basics. Getting to grips with commonly used packages can speed things up in the first few weeks. MS Office is most widely used and includes Outlook for email and diary management, SharePoint and Teams; there will likely be other sites your team uses. Familiarising yourself with these packages can be a good way to spend any spare time you have in your first few weeks. Keep a record of all the accounts and sites you need to access different things such as Payslips, Expenses, Print credit etc.
- Commuting can be draining but maybe reading your emails or checking your diary for the day can help you jump straight into work once you’re at the office. Alternatively, keep the commute clear for relaxation and switching off from work.
- Socialising and attending out of office events can strengthen your relationship with your colleagues and managers. Everyone is different and it’s OK to initially feel uncomfortable but making that effort to attend helps your colleagues trust you more and feel more comfortable around you.
“Moving into Work” A professional behaviours discussion
- Video: Moving into work
- moving into work video
Remote Working
Flexible working is becoming more and more prevalent. Here are some tips on how to work well remotely:
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Separate your home from the desk. If you can try find a room that is free of distractions. Try recreating a tidy desk style space that you would work in normally.
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Form a routine. Set yourself a list of tasks to complete during the day and prioritise them. Set aside time for lunch, coffee breaks and any other small tasks that need to be done at home.
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Try out different things. Find out what works best for you whether it’s harder tasks in the morning and replying to emails in the afternoon. Naturally, everyone has different preferences, so it's important to find out what works best for you.
Additional resources
You need your University of Edinburgh login to access some of these (University of Edinburgh login required - If you are experiencing difficulty with logging in please contact careers@ed.ac.uk)
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How to maximise your time on the commute
A Quick guide to Outlook (YouTube)
A Guide to Microsoft Office 365 (YouTube)