How to Settle into a New Job
Once you've secured that perfect IT or Digital position, another phase begins: settling into your new role. With the first weeks packed full of things to learn and names to remember, it’s no wonder that many people find starting a new job to be a somewhat nerve-wracking experience. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you’re looking for ways to ensure you get off to the best possible start, here are a few of our best tips on how to settle into a new job, allowing you to lower stress levels and begin making a positive impact on the business in record time.
Accelerate the Learning Curve
When you’re adjusting to a new job, you’re not expected to know everything right away – the initial days and weeks in the role will likely involve a steep learning curve. Even if you’ve been in a similar role at another company, there will still be new procedures and systems that you will have to get familiar with, although we’re sure you’re aware of that!
Whilst it might sound like common sense, it pays to give your full attention during any orientation or training, and it’s a good idea to take note of any useful information; from internal procedures to coworkers’ names and roles. Writing down key information will help you memorise it and ensure you don’t need to have it repeated to you in future.
If you’re fortunate enough to receive a handover period from the role’s predecessor, make the most out of the time to build your understanding of the role, company processes and insider tips. In addition, make it a priority to listen more than you talk during the onboarding stage, but don’t shy away from speaking up with questions when you need to.
Start Building Relationships
An essential part of settling into a new job is getting to know your new colleagues, as well as key stakeholders. In a new environment, many people will feel shy initially, but try to be friendly and take every opportunity to introduce yourself. Make an effort to remember names by writing them down if you need to, or even creating an organisational chart to understand how everyone fits within the company.
Most people enjoy talking a bit about themselves, so a great way to start a conversation is to ask your new colleagues about their roles and professional background. Likewise, asking questions about anything from an internal process to how to use the coffee machine gives the other person the opportunity to feel like the expert and share their knowledge. You can also look for ways to help out with everyday tasks (provided you have done your own work) – this will not only help you to establish a reputation as someone willing to go the extra mile, but provides another chance to build rapport with your coworkers.
Additionally, make time early on to get to know your manager, particularly their communication style. Do they prefer face-to-face meetings over email? Investigate how they like things done; are they detail-oriented or more concerned with the big picture? If they like frequent updates, make calendar reminders to send reports, or if they’re more hands-off, they might prefer a more independent approach from you. Understanding their unique working habits will make it a lot easier to build a good relationship.
Immerse Yourself in the Company Culture
It is likely that the culture was a big part of what attracted you to the company in the first place, so understanding it further will help you adapt to the workplace. Use the first few weeks to immerse yourself in the culture and absorb what goes on around you:
- Look at how people interact with each other both internally and externally. Are people casual and hang out after work often, or do they take a more buttoned-up approach, keeping business and personal time separate?
- Pay attention to the way the business operates, including attitudes towards leave, overtime, and flexibility.
- Accept invitations to lunch, coffee runs and other social activities to take advantage of any opportunities to know your colleagues in a casual setting.
As someone new to the business, you may have a fresh perspective on how to improve the culture, but make sure you’ve fully understood current practices and established yourself in the team before making any suggestions.
Adapting to a new work culture takes time, and while it’s easy to feel impatient to fit in, remember that this early period will allow you to solidify relationships and become a valued member of the team in the long term.
Summary
Settling into a new job is challenging at any level, but it’s also is a great opportunity to make a fresh start, build your expertise and develop useful professional connections. With our top tips in mind, you’ll go into your new role feeling well prepared and ready to get off to a strong start. Ultimately, the best approach is to simply focus on doing a good job – if you give it your best from the start, you won’t have anything to worry about!
If you’d like more guidance on navigating the IT and Digital recruitment process, the team at PRA will be happy to meet with you – get in touch with us today!
Somewhere in the world right now, a hiring manager is asking a question… and three seconds later ChatGPT is answering it.
The AI Authenticity Gap: Why Your AI-Generated CV Might Be Costing You the Job I see hundreds of CVs every week. I spend more time on LinkedIn than I care to admit. And one thing that's becoming increasingly prevalent is the appearance of overly authored posts and descriptions with plenty of words but precious little substance. Much of this has coincided with the widespread adoption of tools like ChatGPT. As someone working adjacent to the tech space, I was genuinely excited when AI started making waves across the world. I thought this was going to be a real game changer, and in many ways, it has been. But the overuse of generic AI-generated content has become so prevalent that I feel some people are now failing to show their authentic voice - the very thing that makes them stand out in a competitive market. The Early Adopter's Reality Check I was one of those people who tried to adapt early to AI, using it to help me in my professional and personal life. But here's the crucial difference: I didn't just accept the standard output I was given. I took the bones and made them my own. I used AI as a tool, not as a ghost-writer. Too often now, I see CVs that have been completely assembled by ChatGPT - so generic, so obviously automated, that I genuinely feel the candidate would have been better off not sending anything at all. These applications don't just blend into the background; they actively work against the candidate by signalling a lack of effort and authenticity. The Numbers Don't Lie Recent research validates what recruiters like myself are seeing daily. A May 2025 survey of 600 U.S. hiring managers revealed some startling statistics: One in five recruiters (19.6%) would outright reject a candidate with an AI-generated resume or cover letter Over a third of hiring managers (33.5%) can spot an AI-generated resume in under 20 seconds 58% of hiring managers express concern about AI-generated applications Think about that for a moment. Hiring managers are detecting AI-written CVs in less time than it takes to read a single paragraph. The very tool candidates think gives them an edge is often the red flag that gets them filtered out. The Efficiency Versus Laziness Debate When ChatGPT first emerged, many of my colleagues said outright that this was going to make people lazy. I argued against that view. I believed that just as Excel made formulating reports easier without making us worse at analysis, ChatGPT would help people be more efficient in their work - freeing them up to focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving rather than getting bogged down in formatting and structure. I still believe AI can be a powerful efficiency tool when used correctly. The problem is that many candidates aren't using it to enhance their work; they're using it to replace their work entirely. The Personal Touch in an AI World While improvements are being made to make AI-generated content seem less generic, there's a fundamental issue when you're putting forward something meant to be a representation of yourself. Your CV is your professional story. It's your opportunity to showcase not just what you've done, but who you are, how you think, and what makes you different from the hundreds of other applicants. When you rely on AI to put it all together, you lose all control and that crucial personal touch. The research backs this up: Baby Boomers and Gen X hiring managers are particularly sceptical, with one in four Baby Boomer managers likely to reject fully AI-generated resumes. Even among younger Millennials and Gen Z managers, who you might expect to be more accepting of AI use, there's a clear expectation that the final product must sound human, show real effort, and reflect the individual behind the words. The Right Way to Use AI in Your Job Search By all means, use the tools available to you. AI can be excellent for: Brainstorming bullet points you might have forgotten Identifying gaps in your experience narrative Improving grammar and clarity in your existing writing Suggesting different ways to frame an achievement Creating a first draft structure that you then completely personalise But don't think that because you can do something quickly and easily, you're going to get the same results as someone who actually takes the time to show they've invested effort. The data shows that 74% of hiring managers have encountered AI-generated content in applications, and they're becoming increasingly adept at spotting it. Standing Out in a Tough Market It's a challenging market out there in many sectors of the technology industry. If you want to stand out from the crowd, you need to ensure you can show exactly who you are. That means: Write in your own voice - Not the corporate-speak that AI defaults to Include specific examples - Generic achievements sound hollow Show your personality - What drives you? What excites you about your work? Customize for each role - AI-generated applications often feel one-size-fits-all Proofread beyond grammar - Does this sound like something you would actually say? The Bottom Line The irony is that in trying to use AI to save time and improve their chances, many candidates are actually undermining themselves. They're creating a sea of sameness in which their application drowns rather than floats to the top. Remember: hiring managers want to hire people, not algorithms. They want to understand your unique perspective, your problem-solving approach, your communication style. They want to see evidence that you've put thought and effort into your application because that's a strong indicator of the thought and effort you'll put into the job itself. Use AI as a tool in your toolkit - but make sure the final product is unmistakably, authentically you. That's what will make you stand out in 2025 and beyond. Need help crafting a CV that showcases your authentic voice while still being competitive in today's market? Get in touch, I'd be happy to provide guidance on how to strike that perfect balance between efficiency and authenticity. Article written by: Jack Davies PRA Brisbane Associate Consultant - Development and Testing M: 0483 969 454 E: jack.davies@pra.com.au
Job hunting can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered. Our 2025 PRA Job Seeker Handbook is full of tips and insights to help you:
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