Settling into a new job can be somewhat tricky when you're the new kid in the office...

Aaah, tis’ the season when thoughts about meetings turn to thoughts about spending hours on the beach laying under the hot summer sun. That’s of course if you haven’t started a new job. If you have, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to make it through the summer without pulling your hair out.

The good news is just because you’re the new kid in the office, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your holiday. Here are a few other things you can get away with when you’ve just started a new job.

Taking sick leave (when you’re really sick)

Calling in sick a few weeks into your new job will most probably raise some eyebrows from your manager. However, if you’re a walking infectious plague, you really have no choice. In such a case, make it clear to your boss that your sickness is an unusual occurrence, and prove this by providing a legitimate medical certificate. Reassure your boss that this isn’t by any means the first of many absences by saying, “I'm embarrassed that I fell sick during my first month.”

Chilling out

Reality check: You’ve got the job, relax! Yes, starting a new job is exciting for you and you probably want to be seen as taking your work seriously. But for everyone else, it’s just another day on the grind.  So you can take it easy and work on the same pace as your co-workers. Once you’ve found your feet and are known around the office, you can go back to working at your own pace. But until then, your boss is not going to hold a gun against your head if you show you’re human.

Read: Workaholism: The reality of working too much

Saving your opinion for later

When new on the job, some people may be tempted to give their two cents about certain topics – from the disorganised and annoying colleague to their disapproval about how things are done in the office.

However, while it may be unavoidable to make first impressions, often times choosing to listen and save your thoughts for later isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it allows you to reap informational and relational benefits that put you in a better influential position later.

After a few months of adjusting to your new surroundings you may also find that your initial thoughts and judgements were invalid. Holding up on your opinions will also give you time to get used to your co-workers’ strengths and personalities, and you’ll be able to make more informed judgements, later.

Talking about yourself

Office relationships can be hard to make, especially when your co-workers are still getting used to you being in their midst. Plus, if all that’s common between you and your co-workers is the company you work for, it’s easy to rumble on about yourself all the time.

If you’re guilty of this, in the long run, people may mistake it for arrogance or trying too hard to fit in.  Spend time asking questions and inquiring about the company, such as how things work in the office. If you learn to ask insightful questions, the people you work with will find value in spending time with you.

Read: How important is company culture?

The stakes are high when you start a new job.  However, if you strive to strike a balance between being on your game and opening up to your surroundings, you’re on a winning streak!

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