Finding your feet

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Your first position in accounting is a landmark moment and a huge stepping stone on the career path you have chosen to pursue. Once in your new position, there are a number of ways to make sure you make the best out of the opportunity.

Experiencing nerves, doubts and even impostor syndrome when beginning a new role is natural, but make sure to fully recognise that you have rightfully earned your place in the organisation.

Your knowledge, skills and potential are why they hired you. Always remember that the organisation hired you because they want you to succeed, so don’t hesitate to seek answers and deepen your understanding of the business and profession.

Try to come across as curious, ask questions and try not to get disheartened when you get constructive feedback on your work. Your colleagues and managers have more experience and are likely to understand what works best for the company’s goals – their feedback is intended to help you.

Expectations

By asking questions, you can better understand what your manager’s and peers’ expectations are of you – and better align with their goals and culture.

‘Starting a new job can be daunting, but don’t let that take away from the excitement of embarking on your career journey,’ says Lee Owen, director at Hays, specialising in accountancy and finance.

‘To make a good first impression, ensure you are punctual, professional and proactive. It is important to take an interest in the organisation and to ask questions as and when they crop up, to demonstrate that you are engaged and eager to learn and grow in the role.’


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Consider implementing a system that enables you to be organised and efficient. This could include noting the main tasks you have completed, such as working on a team project to deadline and the feedback you received.

A spreadsheet with the date the work was completed, what the work was and what the feedback was will be very helpful when it comes to check-ins with your managers or opportunities for promotion in the future.

Organised

Owen adds: ‘While finding your feet in a new role can be overwhelming, being organised will make life easier in the long run as there is a lot of information to absorb during your first few weeks and months. Take notes, write to-do lists and manage your time effectively.

‘Building these positive habits from the get-go will allow you to juggle multiple tasks and take on additional responsibilities further down the line.’

While in the role, look to develop your professional core skills, build relationships and connections, and look to discover what specific work attracts you the most.

‘Tap into the power of networking by building a good rapport with your colleagues and the wider team, so you can learn from, and be inspired by, your peers. Although it sounds cliché, believe in yourself and your abilities; you secured this position for a reason, so seize the opportunity with both hands,’ Owen adds.

Also, be mindful of comparing yourself to colleagues where it adversely impacts on how you perceive yourself, whether they have been at the organisation longer or joined at a similar time to you. Everyone learns at their own pace, so trust in yourself that you can reach the next level.


More information

This article was first published in Student Accountant in May 2024Get the SA app now

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