Starting a new job can make you very nervous, but you don’t have to be. Any career begins with building good professional relationships. How do you improve your relationship with an existing boss or start your new relationship off on the right foot? Here are a few tips to get you started.

TAKE INITIATIVE

Employers want to work with team members willing to take the initiative on projects. When you show that you are able and willing to dive in and get work done, they will trust you more as time goes on. They don’t want to be responsible for all your decision-making, so use your best discretion and understanding of the job to take that initiative.

PLAN FOR DISCUSSION TIME

Your boss may indicate that they have an open-door policy, but that doesn’t mean you should always blindside them with requests for information. When you have something important to discuss, give them the heads up. Shoot them a quick email or text telling them what you need to talk about and ask when is a good time to do that. They may say right now, or they may offer a schedule. This demonstrates that you respect their time.

HAVE A POSITIVE WORK ETHIC

Work ethic isn’t just about staying heads-down and getting your work done effectively and efficiently. It’s also about how you interact with your coworkers and your boss along the way. Maintaining professionalism and a positive attitude will help you increase trust and loyalty from your boss and the rest of your team.

ASK FOR FEEDBACK

Some people believe that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. But there are times when you should ask for feedback. Don’t be afraid to ask your boss for feedback on your work. No news isn’t always good news, and if you aren’t willing to ask for feedback, you might find out the hard way in the future.

DISCUSS GOALS

It’s also vital that you talk to your boss about your long- and short-term goals. If you’re unwilling to discuss your expectations and what you would like to do in the future, don’t be surprised if opportunities are never offered. You can work with your boss to develop goals that will help you improve your performance, learn new things, and advance your career.