Shifting to a new job often means that you’re out to reorganize your career (or maybe it’s just for a fatter paycheck). But like it or not, you’ll still be the new kid in the block. Never mind if you’re of a high rank or still rank and file, you have to ease in to the new working environment. Here are some tips to help you settle in to that new job.

Review the records of your predecessor. If you are filling in a vacated position, be sure to browse over all the records turned over by your predecessor. This will give you a strong idea of what to look forward to in your position. From these, you would know which areas to prioritize and even the areas in which your predecessor had difficulty in.

Get to know the people. You may want to completely reorganize but before you do so, you have to know what’s what for you to create a transition plan. And there’s no better resource to how the workplace goes than the people in it. Sure you may have read the company brochure and memorized the company’s mission and vision. Still, it takes people to show you the ways of working.

Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask. Or better yet, get a senior to orient you on things then work your way to the rest of the people. Engage people in tasks that may require teamwork so that you’d be able to gauge personalities and work efforts of these people.

Check the actual flow of work. Sometimes, the company’s organizational chart isn’t really followed in the actual workplace. See who’s who in the flow of work, not only in your own department or division, but also look into interdepartmental work. You’d be able to see how they interface with each other. This way you can also see your own department’s role in the organization. Knowing where you stand will help you function your best in a new workplace.