From Novice to Best Performer: Unveiling the Secrets of My First Job

 

In my previous blog posts, I shared my experiences of a failed interview and a successful interview. Now, let's dive into the story of my first job. Joining HSBC bank as a Customer Service Executive, I embarked on a journey as part of the Singapore process in Payments Investigations. My role involved investigating stuck payments and finding solutions to clear them. Today, I'll reveal how I became one of the top contributors in my team during my 1.5-year tenure at the organization.

Challenges I Faced:

Feeling Out of Place: Initially, joining a new team made me uncomfortable as I felt disconnected. I went through weeks of having no one to eat lunch with until I made an effort to mingle with my colleagues.

Self-Responsibility: I realized that no one else was accountable for my training, sense of belonging, or getting me started with work. While there was an induction process, the onus was primarily on me to take charge.

Adapting to Organizational Culture: Every organization has its own culture and rules that may not align with personal preferences. Navigating through these aspects, including hierarchies, became a part of the journey.

My Strategies for Success:

Proactive Learning: Being an extrovert, I embraced my natural inclination to be proactive in learning. I treated my trainer, Rashmi, as my Guru and aimed to work exactly like her. Additionally, I respected and learned from every senior member of the team who had expertise and experience.

Thorough Understanding of the Role: I immersed myself in understanding the intricacies of my role. Whenever possible, I seized the opportunity to practically solve cases and learn from senior colleagues who approached different cases in unique ways. This dedication set me apart from colleagues who shied away from taking on new challenges.

Embracing Workload and Building Trust: As a newcomer, I welcomed any work that came my way, regardless of its volume or source. I aimed to earn my manager's trust and contribute to the team's success. My second manager, Kavya (there I mentioned you madam), had a vision to make our team the best, and I supported her wholeheartedly, which led to mutual support and growth.

Stepping Out of Boundaries: I understood that personal growth requires pushing beyond comfort zones. I willingly took on extra work, proving my capabilities and determination.

Key takeaways from this blogpost:

1. Feeling out of place is common when joining a new team. Mingle with colleagues and foster connections to overcome this discomfort.
2. Take self-responsibility for your learning, integration, and initial progress in the organization.
3. Understand and adapt to the culture and rules of the organization, even if they differ from your personal preferences.
4. Be proactive in learning, treat experienced colleagues with respect and learn from their expertise.
5. Gain a thorough understanding of your role and actively engage in practical problem-solving.

While my time at HSBC was overall successful, I also made mistakes along the way. These missteps will be discussed in my upcoming blog post, scheduled for July 8th, 2023. 

Conclusion: I hope this article serves as a valuable guide to my Reader Pals. Feedback, comments, and discussions are always welcomed as we learn and grow together.

Until then, remember to master your craft and conquer the chaos!