New Job

[topsec]

Hi everyone,

Although I have used DeskDemon for quite a few years, this is my first posting, so a big hello to everyone.

I am about to start a new job after Easter (having been in my present employ for about 8 years).  I have been asked by a previous boss to go and work with him in his new company which he joined about 8 months ago.  He said that he had been trying to recruit since he joined but hasn't found anyone who he is comfortable with, which was a real compliment for me.

At present I am employed as an Exec PA, but the new job will be as a European Executive Administrator - very grand sounding I know, but it is a new role and that is the title they have given to it.  Basically I will be looking after all our European offices which will mean extensive travel.  My question really is whether you have any tips on (a) starting a new role within an existing company; and (b) what you recommend as first steps.  I know this is a little vague, but it will be quite a daunting task to begin with, getting to know everyone, setting up new procedures etc.

Any suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope I have given you a feel as to what I am asking.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
TopSec

[gee4]

Take it as a compliment.  Just be yourself.  Your boss would have not offered you this position if he didn't think he could trust you or that could do a good job.

Whether the staff in the new company know you were his PA before, is irrelevant, however you have a good relationship with this boss and it should carry on and continue in the new job.

Congratulations - you have no idea how lucky you are!

[raindance]

Gee is quite right, Topsec, when she says that the fact you were your Boss's PA in a previous life is irrelevant.  However, it is still important.  

There are good things about knowing your Boss already - you know how he works, how he thinks and can anticipate his requirements.  The downside is that you may know too much at a time when he has to develop his post and he may have new requirements.

Eight years in a post is a long time, and adjusting to a new post with all that that entails won't necessarily be that easy however flexible and adaptable you may be.  It's the same for your Boss, too.  

A newly-created post in a new company is another thing as well.  You will just have to make it up as you go along and develop the job pro-actively.  

People are often a little wary of staff who are "imported" from manager's previous jobs, and sometimes you may have to contend with people who applied for your new job but were unsuccessful.

So, I would advise you to approach your job as you would any other new job with enthusiasm and creativity, but tread softly with your new colleagues.  

[misslynn]

I'll just say that I agree with the two posts above, especially about being wary for those office politics with the people who may have wanted your position and did not get it.

Congratulations and best of everything in your new role!!!!

[jodith]

Congratulations on the new job!

Starting in a newly created position is so much fun, because you can't do anything wrong!  You get to define, really, what the job is and how you do everything.

I think the most important aspect in all of this is, what are people expecting of you?  Once you know what the needs are you can get down to the nitty gritty of setting up procedures for getting things done.  And remember, procedures aren't just about how you get things done, they are about how you get needed information from others to get things done.  In this instance, it's good you have a boss you are familiar with and who is familiar with you.  You'll know how supportive he is of establishing procedures for getting what you need from the various offices.

Congrats again!

Jodith

[peaches2160]

Congratulations on your new assignment.

It is a compliment for your boss to request you in the role.  He obviously trusts you have the skills and qualities needed to handle this new role.

Do be wary of the new colleagues as you never know who was turned down for the role.  I hate it, but that is a fact of work life.  I too went through that about a year ago.  

Take it one day at a time and one opportunity at a time.  You will do fine.  Come back to the boards in a few months and let us know how you are progressing.

[topsec]

Good morning ladies,

Thank you all for your very helpful replies - and I agree that the biggest hurdle will be striking up the correct balance of relationship with any membes of staff that may have been turned down for this role.

Although I don't start my new job until after Easter, I have been in regular contact with the new company (and my boss) so things are becoming a little clearer all the time - I have asked them to set me 3-4 very definite goals for the coming 12 months which I think will be sufficient, given that I will be "finding my feet" during this time.

Once again, thanks for your responses and I will definitely write again to let you all know how its going.

Regards
TopSec

[peaches2160]

Good idea to start off with obtainable goals.

Good Luck.

[lucie33]

Hello there,

Hope all goes well in your new job.  From being in a similar position, I would say that it's a good idea to take a bit of time on the settling in side, to find out how things are currently run and generally how the company works, before trying to bring in too many new procedures etc.  I'm finding now that some things I tried to set up soon after joining I need to redo now that I've got a better idea of how things should work, and wish I'd waited a bit before trying to do them!  I guess I was anxious to show that I was adapting to my new role, but could have done more with the information finding before I got stuck in to trying to change things.  Having said that, if you are already in contact with the company and know your future boss already, that should give you a really great start.  Good luck!