Starting a new job involves more than just getting to a new office and rolling up the sleeves. Many new jobs may require loads of energy, sharp focus and a good ability to adapt and learn.

These requirements don’t always come naturally just because you have received a job offer. Without being prepared to meet these requirements, a new job may start off on the wrong foot, jeopardising the impression you created earlier in the hiring process.

To avoid this, you must think about the timing in starting the job. Is the time right to be able to put the energy required to meet the demanding requirements? If you have the luxury of delaying the start or sticking with a current job, it may make sense to do so instead of taking a step at the wrong time. Here are a few points that you need to think about before making the jump to a new job.

Change in schedule

One of the last points discussed during interviews is schedule. But if there is any indication that the work will require different hours than was there before, make sure you will be able to meet the new schedule comfortably.

Leaving this point to handle at the last minute could be disastrous. If the schedule isn’t accommodating for your family situation or ability to maintain strong focus and attention, this can affect performance and eventually reflect on productivity at a time when both are monitored closely by supervisors and coworkers.

The change in schedule can be difficult particularly when a job requires shift work, irregular hours or more structure than previously experienced. For example, independent contractors who sets own hours can find it hard to stick to a nine-to-five job. Similarly, a field worker can find it hard to spend most working hours in an office.

Although being excited about a job may mask this, it is important to be honest about your ability to handle change efficiently and work to adapt to the new structure if you really want the job. Being aware of your comfort zone can help understand the areas that need more effort to shine.

Change in status

A new job does come with a whole lot of unknowns, part of which relates to a company’s processes. Even if hired at a managerial position, you still may need to turn to coworkers or even subordinates to learn more about the specifics. Understanding that this learning curve or lack of internal policies and issues won’t diminish your status and probably will help have an easier start.

Being prepared for this situation takes on an emotional status. You probably will still be making many crucial decisions if you are in a top position, but when still learning the ropes this may be tough if not in the right mindset for it.

Change of course

Many people are set in their own ways. Taking a new job may require a lot of flexibility not only with coworkers and supervisors, but also in the way things get done. If you are routine-oriented, this change can be unsettling.

To get started on a new job, it is important to hold back your experience sometimes, to listen and explore different ways of doing things. Someone who thinks that because something was done in a certain way — and worked — it has to be done the same way always can find it hard to integrate into a new team. That doesn’t mean experience should be irrelevant. In fact, your experience when recalled appropriately and at the right timing should enrich and help your new workplace. What matters is to have an open mind to absorb new ways before trying to introduce changes.

The writer, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is a Seattle-based editor.