Having worked as an Executive Coach and led businesses around the world, I’ve highlighted below some of the key challenges new employees face when joining a new company.
Everyone is different with their own personal challenges and requirements (in particular when it comes to international posting and transfers) but here are a dozen of the most common challenges I find people face (including me when I moved from one company to another!)
The Top 12 challenges staff joining a new company face:
1. Adapting to the company culture
Every company has its own unique culture, values, and ways of doing things. Adjusting to a new workplace culture can take time and effort. Each organization has its own unique culture, values, and way of doing things. Adjusting to a new work environment, understanding the company’s norms, and building relationships with colleagues can be a challenge for new employees.
2. Learning new processes and systems
New staff members will naturally go through an intensive learning curve as they are likely to need to learn new processes, products, services, systems and tools that are used in the company. This can be challenging, especially if they are not familiar with the technology or procedures used. They may require training and time to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively.
3. Understanding their role and responsibilities
New employees will need to adjust to their new role, understand their responsibilities, and learn how they fit into the overall organization. They will also need to get used to working with new colleagues and managers. A critical point is that the new employee needs to be very clear on what is expected of them in terms of goals and objectives that need to be agreed and set on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, 6 monthly and annual basis. They need to know what they are being paid to deliver!
4. Building relationships
Building relationships with colleagues, managers, and other stakeholders can be challenging, especially if they are working remotely (as is more and more common these days!) or if there is a large team, and establishing effective communication channels is essential for collaboration and teamwork. It can also be daunting for new employees to integrate into existing social circles and establish professional connections.
5. Managing expectations
New staff members are likely to have high expectations for their new role and the company and they may well feel pressure to prove themselves and meet the expectations set for their roles. There will be a learning curve, and the desire to perform well can create stress and anxiety. Sometimes, the job responsibilities and expectations may not be clearly defined, causing confusion for new employees. This can result in uncertainty about their tasks, priorities, and performance evaluation criteria. This leads on to…
6. Dealing with uncertainty
Joining a new company can be stressful, especially if there is uncertainty about the job or the company. New staff members may be worried about job security, job performance, and how they fit into the organization.
7. Adapting to the work environment
New staff members may need to adjust to the physical work environment, such as the layout of the office or the location of equipment and supplies.
8. Lack of Support
In some cases, new employees may not receive sufficient support or guidance from their managers or colleagues. This can hinder their ability to perform optimally and create frustration.
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9. Navigating Organizational Structure
Understanding the organizational hierarchy, reporting lines, and decision-making processes can be challenging for new employees. Navigating the bureaucracy and knowing who to approach for different issues can take time to master.
10. Work-Life Balance
Balancing work demands and personal life is important for overall well-being. New employees may struggle to find the right equilibrium initially, especially if the company has a fast-paced or demanding work culture.
11. Adapting to Change
Joining a new company often involves adapting to new ways of working, different tools or technologies, and potentially undergoing organizational changes. Adapting to change can be stressful for new employees.
12. Imposter Syndrome
Some new employees may experience imposter syndrome, doubting their abilities and feeling like they don’t belong or deserve their positions. This can impact their confidence and performance.
If your company wants to ensure a smooth integration for new employees into the company then having onboarding programs and support systems in place to help new employees navigate these difficulties is critical. For many organizations the onboarding process is often as little as a day’s induction and then, off you go! (yes that has happened to me!)
Overall, the challenges new staff face when joining a new company can be overwhelming, but with support, patience, and perseverance, they can overcome these challenges and succeed in their new role.
By Gary Hales
Join the NoLimits Business Community
Are you a business owner looking to take your business to the next level? Join our innovative community of like-minded professionals and gain access to a wealth of valuable resources, including a community portal to chat with other business owners, ebooks, business development software, and growth events that will transform the way you do business. Best of all, these resources are completely free and will be available to you forever.
But the benefits of joining our NoLimits business community don’t stop there. By becoming part of our community, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other business owners, share insights and ideas, and build valuable relationships that will help your business thrive. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to supercharge your business and join us today!