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You have landed the job of your dreams but are not out of the woods. You might have nailed the interview and impressed the hiring manager, but you still must make a good impression on your new boss if you want a prosperous future with the company. Getting off on the right foot with a new boss can be tricky. You don’t want to be a suck-up, but you also want to set the right tone for your new working relationship. Here are tips to get off on the right foot.

Try these practical tips to make the best impression:

1. Be genuine. When building a relationship with a new boss, be honest. Don’t pretend to be the person you think your boss wants you to be. You may not know what your boss wants, so making assumptions can be dangerous.

• Don’t Pretend: Putting on a mask means committing to keeping up appearances. That’s exhausting! Instead, be authentic. Avoid over or under-selling yourself.
• Commit to being the best version of yourself. Always be honest – even if that means owning up to mistakes.

2. Learn how your boss communicates. Any therapist will tell you that communication is the key to a good relationship. How do you communicate effectively with your boss?

• Learn their communication style: Do they prefer a phone call or text? When you must address something, can you communicate via video call, or do they want you face-to-face? Once you understand their preferences, you can build a better rapport.
• Ask How to Communicate: The Harvard Business Review recommends asking your boss how they prefer to communicate directly. Even if they don’t give you a great answer, they’ll know you’re approaching your job with the right attitude and want what’s best for the organization.

3. Know what your boss wants. Pay close attention to the things your boss values. What actions do they praise? What do they emphasize when they ask for great work? What puts a smile on their face?

• Ramp up on Values: Once you know what makes your boss happy, you can act in a way that aligns with your boss’ values.
• Do your job. It’s easy to overlook the simple things! Sure, it’s nice to volunteer for other projects or committees, but your boss hired you for a reason – they want you to get the job done.

4. Make a good impression: Commit to completing tasks according to instructions and the requested timeline. You may be the first to arrive at every meeting, but you won’t keep your job for long if you’re not delivering results.

5. Commit to the long haul. No boss wants a flaky employee who will disappear when a better offer comes. How do you show your boss you’re committed to growing the business?

• Discuss your vision for the future with them. Let them know what your goals are and ask about what you can do to succeed in the long term. When you show that you’re serious, they’ll be willing to help you reach your goals.

You can enjoy a great working relationship with your new boss if you’re honest, learn their communication style and do your job. You’re on the right path if you give your boss what they want and commit to working with the company. Soon, you’ll develop a strong rapport with your boss.