“Aunty, I’ll be leaving my company after 12 years to join a new one. Any advice?”
First of all, CONGRATS!
Leaving a company after more than a decade is a big deal. It’s exciting, but I also know it’s completely normal to feel nervous.
Here are a few things I’ve learned from starting a new job after being in one place for a long time.
👆 Listen more than you speak in the first few weeks. Remember, every workplace has it’s own culture and unwritten rules.
✌️ Introduce yourself to everyone, not just your immediate team. The receptionist, security guards, finance team, and IT colleagues will all be part of your daily life too.
👌 Ask questions early. Nobody expects a new employee to know everything. It’s much easier to ask in Week 1 than to pretend you know and struggle for the next six months.
✋ Don’t compare everything to your previous company. “At my old company, we did it this way…” gets old very quickly. Learn why they do things differently before suggesting improvements.
🖐️ Give yourself time. You might struggle to adapt (remember, you left a place after 12 years!), and it’s okay. Building confidence, relationships, and trust takes time.
Finally, remember you are not starting from zero.
You’re starting with 12 years of experience under your belt. Transferring your skills to a new map.
Congratulations on your new adventure!
And to everyone else who is wondering if it’s time for a change… well, sometimes the best career move begins with the courage to be the new person again.
Happy weekend, everyone!
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
