Advice for New Job

[neffers]

In just under 3 weeks I will be starting a new job. I am moving from a 4 person structural consulting firm that I have worked for for the last 7+ years to a full service A/E firm with 6 offices. I was wondering if anybody has any advice/words of wisdom that I could use during my transition. Thanks!

 

[nickelkid]

Be patient.

 

[ChemEng84]

keep your mouth shut

 

[Bribyk]

I think Dilbert has said it best already...

 

[JMirisola]

You'll be going from a "family" environment to a corporate one. Politics come into serious play in larger companies.
Tread carefully for the first few weeks to learn who all the players are. Take anything you hear about anybody with a grain of salt. Form your own opinions as you get better aquainted with every one.
Also, no matter what anyone says, TP'ing the boss' office is NOT a good idea.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[MadMango]

Moving from a small proprietor-owned(?) company to a corporate company you will find that the "work tempo" will not be what you are used to. Try not to get discouraged if you find that you are getting bored.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[KENAT]

Take notes, but you probably know that already.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[MiketheEngineer]

God gave you two ears and one mouth - use accordingly

AND it will be quite different. One person does "this" and only "this" while you will have to go find the person that does the other "this" and only "this".

Not too many people wear two or three hats in this environment -- not like the old place where people might jump in to help whenever they could.

Can be good - very good - just different.

 

[moltenmetal]

Watch out for the HR folks: they are NOT your friends.

 

[stanweld]

You may find yourself doing less detail design work and doing more checking/reviewing the designs of others.

 

[lkjh345]

Things will likely be a little more regimented at the new place.

Possible examples:

-Maybe filling out time cards to assign time to various projects and budgets.

-Having to make vacation requests ahead of time instead of just taking off when the opportunity presented itself in the flow of projects.

- Your immediate boss may have to get approvals for all kinds of things before you can proceed with various things. You may not be able to get immediate answers/approvals for lots of things. It may have to go up the 'chain'. That always takes time.

As others have mentioned, politics becomes a much bigger thing in bigger organizations. Watch yourself! and watch who you say things too!!!

 

[whyun]

- Before performing ANY task for anyone, get the job number to charge to.

- Don't be too far ahead of schedule. Stuff will change.

- Get used to the QA/QC process.

- As many already mentioned... think twice, speak once.

 

[HVAC68]

From a 4 person firm to a corporate kind of work culture - the differences can be huge. Having said that, how many people work in the new office ? That would also make a difference.

Tasks will be clearly cut out, water-tight compartment kind of working (more often than not), approvals for everything, lots of procedures, processes in place, etc., etc.

Think twice, think twice whether you want to speak or not, speak once.

HVAC68

 

[Gymmeh]

Haha,

good luck with corporate America. I gladly quit that


Your phones are probably tapped.
Your computer is probably monitored.
Their will be and engineering drop out that got his MBA trying to make engineering decisions and micro manage your job.
Over politically correct "seasonal days off"

Some good things
(as noted), due to bureaucracy slowing everything down you may never have to work hard.
Good pay/benefits/vacation
Most people are extremely hung over Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays
Easy to hid yourself






Official DIPPED Member -
Drank in PP Every Day

 

[plasgears]

Be encouraged.

I went from big company to small operation; one engineer; me. My job offer was less than previous - the first bad sign. I was lorded over by sales; I reported to sales, would you believe. It was the first bad job I had in my career. Escaped to a smaller town. They had a situation, and they were offering me anything I wanted to return and bail them out. I reminded them I was two states away, six hours drive, gainfully employed, etc. Did not return.

 

[jmw]

Be on your best behaviour.

At one company I joined, and no, the "other person" wasn't me but genuinely another person, my first day coincided with an elaborate do for the major water companies.
This involved having a large marquee set up with caterers providing food and drinks, starting with champagne.

For myself this was one of those occasions where I was expected to be unseen and unheard and generally not get in the way. However, another new employee had been taken on as the new finance manager or something and so could hardly be kept out of it. Unfortunately, he seemed to spend all day drinking just as much of the "free" booze as he could get down his neck.

By early/mid afternoon he was paralytic.
By the end of the day he was history.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[Gymmeh]

LOL


Official DIPPED Member -
Drank in PP Every Day

 

[FreddyNurk]

Corporate funded alcohol events are great for spectator sport. Definitely not for participating in though.