Building Bridges with Your Boss

When a boss hires an employee the relationship is usually based on the best behavior of both which soon ends and the real person starts to appear. This can shock many and often makes a mockery of the interview process when the job candidate has a high priority of putting forth his best behavior. A boss can later be led to thinking, "What have I actually hired?" Here are five ways to lay the groundwork for a productive working relationship with your boss.

Watch Your Boss and Learn

During your first few weeks keep your opinions to yourself until you understand the company culture well and know what people will look upon with favor and with disdain. Even asking normally intelligent questions will make a difference in how your boss perceives you as an employee. So take care to put your best foot forward.



Communicate the Way Boss Does

Maintain the lines of communication as your supervisor does. Some bosses keep close tabs on you throughout your workday. Others may talk to you once a week or less often and send you on your way to do your job. Whatever the communication style keep your boss informed on what you are working, what you have finished, and what are the results and the help you can render to your supervisor.

Look Professional

A person is expected to dress according to the company guidelines and an employee is expected to leave the unprofessional dress for occasions outside of work.

Be Proactive

Any new employee will expect his supervisor to be told what to do. Why not be proactive enough to figure it out yourself? Take initiative when you see a thing needs to be done. It can be something as simple as taking a stack of files and going through them before you're asked -- anything to show that you're not beneath the small tasks that take up everyone's time.
Develop a mindset that looks to solve problems instead of dwelling on them ruefully. Analyze the problem (what is it exactly?) and how it can be overcome and how you're going to do that. Get on with it before it gets you down. And keep yourself busy when you're starting a new job as it helps to learn the ropes.

Let Your Work Speak

The first few months of a new job are the perfect time to impress your new boss and colleagues by working hard. It's an opportunity to impress your boss with your great attitude and also bond with fellow employees. Employees who don't work hard during their first few months are likely to be remembered as lazy, and those who don't make an effort to socialise may well be recalled as unfriendly. So take advantage as you may never get another chance to impress your boss. It really works and helps to create a solid working relationship with your boss.