Starting a New Legal Support Job? 5 Tips for Making the Most of the Onboarding Process

You’ve found a great employer and landed the job. Congratulations! Now it’s time to hit the ground running by making the most of your new employer’s onboarding process. Here’s how:

  1. Ask if you can get a head start. Some organizations give new legal support staff materials to review or prepare before their first day, such as an employee handbook or hiring paperwork. If you haven’t received these, don’t hesitate to ask what you can do to help yourself prepare for the first day.
  2. Come prepared. A notepad and pen, or another method of taking notes that works for you, can help you keep track of key points during onboarding sessions. Later, your notes can help you remember details or answer questions.
  3. Ask questions. Onboarding is your chance to learn how your new employer’s processes work and you have the resources you need to do your job well. Take advantage of this up-front opportunity by asking questions as they occur to you. In order to ensure you have the support you need, make one of your first questions “Who should I go to with questions once my onboarding is complete?” This way, you’ll know who will help you find the answers in the future.
  4. Get to know your co-workers early. The sooner you start to meet and greet other members of the team, the sooner you can integrate into the team and contribute to the greater goals. Start by asking friendly questions of your co-workers, and listen attentively to their answers. People love to talk about themselves, and they tend to like people who listen.
  5. Take a deep breath. You landed the job! Now, it’s time to put any nervousness about starting a new job aside and focus on learning the ropes. It’s okay to make mistakes – just remember to learn what you need to know in order to avoid making any mistake twice.

At Kent Legal, our recruiters specialize in helping talented legal support professionals find the best employers in the Toronto area. Contact us today to learn more.

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