Learning the ropes biggest challenge in new job: Survey

Getting to know boss, co-workers comes second

Workers who ring in the New Year with a new job may find that learning the ropes is their biggest challenge, according to an Accountemps survey of 285 employees and 342 senior managers.

Nearly one-half (49 per cent) of employees and 39 per cent of managers interviewed said mastering new processes and procedures tops their list of concerns when joining a company. About one-quarter (23 per cent) from each group cited “getting to know a new boss and colleagues” as the greatest hurdle.

Greatest challenge when starting a new job

Employees

Managers

Learning new processes, procedures

39%

49%

Getting to know new boss, co-workers

23%

23%

Fitting into corporate culture

21%

15%

Learning new technology, tools

14%

7%

"As professionals gear up to begin a new job, oftentimes they feel both excited and nervous," said Kathryn Bolt, Canadian president of Accountemps. "Many organizations offer training and orientation programs for employees to get up to speed on formal procedures. However, some cultural norms within a company aren't as easily apparent — making it more crucial for new workers to be particularly observant during the interview process, on the first day of the job and beyond."

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