New job in a corporate environment, nervous!!

[milkytwilight]

I start a new job next month within finance in a global company having previously only worked in small (family owned, usually) businesses. Any tips, stories etc? What's it really like to work for such a big company? I'm nervous going from being a big fish in a small pond, so to speak, to being a small fish in a big pond. I'll be working from home full time so won't be meeting other staff face to face in an office environment like I'm used to.

Read the policies on the internal intranet
Ask questions about how things are done, there will be a policy for most things
If it’s all remote make an effort to find out who you need to meet and set up 121 zooms with them to introduce yourself

Get clear objectives
Ask for training if you need it

Good luck.

Especially in a big workplace, I find myself jumping to make friends. But stay ultra professional (can still smile!) for the first 3-4 months. Don’t go super personal/overly familiar over drinks etc and totally let loose. That’s just because it’ll take a lot longer to suss people out. Also, in a bigger workplace if ever there was a fear of redundancies people would always remember that one time you did something embarrassing (this happened to a secretary I knew). The default position is always professional and polite.

Also if you’re in open plan, don’t wear a watch/ jewellery that will clang against the desk :)

Thanks both. With it being WFH I know I'll need to make an effort to be visible, but as you say, still professional. I'm just a bundle of nerves!

Just wanted to say Good Luck.
I'm working in a huge global firm again after yrs of not working, and 18 yrs since I had a similar job.
Everybody is really lovely and helpful. They chose you because they think you were the best for the job.
I do think it is harder to learn everything virtually, but everybody is there to help when needed.
Hope you enjoy it.

Ah if you’re WFH then schedule “virtual coffees” with people in your first two weeks, just go for it - say 4-8 different people (who are relevant to your role, maybe the ones who interviewed you). Just jump into it :) hope you enjoy!

Thank you guys!

I work in a big company...
Careful of who you trust at the beginning. Take in your surroundings and then go from there. Just be nice, keen and work hard for now. Friendships take time.

My background is multinationals, almost thirty years in that environment but none in small companies so can only make some speculations about the differences.

You may find things take longer and could have more defined approval processes that you may not be used to, so be on the look out for those. People may have narrower and deeper roles than in a small company where you may have a broader role. To this I would say know your boundaries, know what is your role and what is somebody else’s role, people can be territorial so take care not to step on somebody’s toes.

Building up your relationships will be harder being fully WFH. Are you sure that will be permanent and essential? I am not in the workforce at the moment but people I know that are still working in similar companies have at least gone back to the office part time. If you can get in some days, I would try to.

My husband has been working at home for 18 months and only just gone back (part time in the office). He started a new role when it was fully WFH, he has made an effort to speak to people as much as possible, he went to the online socials (that everyone on mumsnet treats with derision). He has also told me that he has the chat function permanently open with the person he works closely with and he uses it to chat to the that person about everyday stuff as they would if they were sat next to each other in the office.

Thank you.
Yes full time working from home, with a home working contract. The closest office to me is London and I'm a fair way from there!

Great tip about not stepping on toes. I'm used to a broad role where you basically do everything and anything.

It will be fine. Comment above about being territorial is soooo true in big companies. So many people are doing what feels like the same job etc, its important for yours to be the most important (due to redundancies etc) take on as much extra stuff as you can to prove your worth over someone else's. When taking on a task at the beginning try and understand it as much as possible, and if sending meetings try and understand why certain people are invited etc, it will stop you stepping on toes.
Sometimes recently I've been asking people while 'chatting' what else they do in their jobs and pretend I am interested in their job etc. I do this to understand who does what and slot together the set up of the organisation together. People love to feel special in their jobs so love talking about themselves so they'll love answering the questions and u find out the details which help you figure out how to piece it together. Just act in awe of them and they'll love it haha.

Also just be aware promotions /bonuses in big firms can get feisty if management have 'favourites'. Be careful of who you trust. And just act like everyone is super nice etc and don't speak negative until you can figure out what they are really like. You need to find the gossip queen of the department to give you the low down ;). Just remember the GQ will do the same about you though so be strategic.