THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF STARTING A NEW JOB
Drive by Friday
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Drive by Friday –
Starting a new job can feel a bit like landing in a new country where no one gives you the rulebook.
On paper, you’ve got the role, the responsibilities, and the expectations.
But in reality? The things that matter most are rarely written down.
From day one, people are quietly forming an impression - not in a critical way, just naturally.
And it usually comes down to three things:
Competence | Commitment | Compatibility
The catch?
These aren’t judged by what you say… they’re judged by what you show.
So, how do you actually demonstrate them early on?
COMPETENCE - Make your thinking visible
Don’t just deliver an answer - walk people through how you got there.
It builds confidence faster and shows you’re not guessing your way through.
Simple example:
“Here’s how I approached this - happy to adjust if there’s a better way internally.”
That one sentence alone shows capability and openness.
COMMITMENT - Ask better questions
Early questions matter - but the type of questions matter more.
Move beyond:
“What do you want me to do?”
And lean into:
“What does a great outcome look like here?”
“What tends to go wrong in this process?”
“What would success look like in 3 months?”
That’s how you align quickly and avoid rework.
COMPATIBILITY - Build trust before you need it
The people who succeed fastest aren’t always the most technical - they’re the easiest to work with.
Introduce yourself. Follow up. Show appreciation.
And don’t underestimate small moments - quick chats, checking in, being approachable.
People support people they feel comfortable with.
Then there’s the part no one talks about…
Every workplace has an unwritten operating system.
Who actually influences decisions (hint: not always the most senior person)
How communication really flows (formal vs informal)
What gets prioritised vs what just sounds important
Take time to observe before trying to change anything.
Watch:
Who people go to for answers
How meetings really run
What gets actioned vs ignored
You’ll learn more in a week of observation than a month of assumptions.
Look for the gaps
In every team, there are things that fall between the cracks.
Processes no one owns
Follow-ups that don’t happen
Small inefficiencies everyone just accepts
If you can step into one of these early - even something minor - you instantly create value.
That’s how you go from “new starter” to “someone we rely on” faster than expected.
And one final point - don’t rush it
There’s often pressure to prove yourself immediately.
But the strongest starts aren’t rushed - they’re intentional.
It’s better to:
Understand before acting
Align before delivering
Build relationships before needing outcomes
Starting a new job isn’t about knowing everything straight away.
It’s about reading the environment, asking the right questions, and showing up in a way that builds trust quickly.
Do that well - and you won’t just fit in… you’ll stand out for all the right reasons.
Keep growing and make the most of the opportunity in front of you.
Happy Friday😊
You don’t need all the answers—just the right approach.
Simpli-U - Where new roles begin well.
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Lorraine Singer
Director & Consultant – Simpli-U
Recruitment Solutions for the Novated Leasing, Salary Packaging & Automotive sectors
Australia-wide | Solutions all about ‘U’