Five goals to achieve within your first year at a new job

Five goals to achieve within your first year at a new job

The first year in a new job is crucial to laying the foundations for future success. Make your first 12 months count by achieving these five important career goals...

You’ve aced the interview and landed that career-defining new job, congratulations! However, the hard work is not over yet. When starting a new job, there are a few goals you should strive to achieve which will help you stand out and thrive in your new workplace.

Networking with individuals in other departments can help you gain a better understanding of overall business objectives,...  

Network

When starting a new job, it’s easy to forget that other departments exist, as you will spend so much time getting to know your team. Networking with individuals in other departments can help you gain a better understanding of overall business objectives, and can provide a great source of new perspectives and ideas to help you further your career.

Listen and learn

No two jobs are ever the same. You may have had the same job title in your last role, but all companies operate differently. Listen closely to your new leaders – they may have invaluable techniques and approaches that can help you improve your performance.

Be friendly

Research shows that warmth is one of the first characteristics we judge when meeting somebody for the first time. Colleagues are more likely to help those who are kind to them, or have been in the past. At the end of the day, we all want to work with those who can put a smile on our face, don’t we?

Remind your boss

When you have just started a new job, it’s critical that you prove to your boss that they made the right decision by hiring you. If you show how capable and productive you are early on, it sets a positive tone and can get you noticed for all the right reasons.

Keep track

When I first started out on my career journey, a mentor told me to always keep track of my achievements at work, as it’s easy to forget them when the time comes to find a new role. Implemented a new system? Gained a big new client? Made a large cost saving for the company? These are all great achievements; write these down somewhere you won’t forget.

 

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Published: 14 May 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

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Accounts Administrator
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester, looking to add an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Please note that due to the location, you will need access to your own transport.

Working hours:

Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. 1 hour lunch break. The company can be flexible and offer a 4 day week.

Free parking is available on-site.

You must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

This role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to trial balance using Sage software.

Duties will include:

  • Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting of supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Perform bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and Petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Prepare weekly aged creditors reports and process weekly supplier payments, run accordingly.
  • Prepare monthly aged debtors reports and provide credit control where required.
  • Maintain cashflow forecast for the Finance Director to review.
  • Process monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Manage auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software, Sage 50, and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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New job
Factory Operative (Nights)
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £15.27 per annum
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FO-0625
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Factory Operatives for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 11pm to 7am.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.~
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Quality & Compliance Manager
Sector: Business, Consulting and Management
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913704
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a company based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit a Quality & Compliance Manager.

You will be responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s compliance and quality assurance activities, ensuring the effective implementation and maintenance of ISO standards and internal controls across the business.

Duties will include:

  • Expand the ISO 9001 system to cover all areas of the business, ensuring comprehensive documentation of workflows that accurately reflect business processes and activities.
  • Assist in the implementation and maintenance of ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), ensuring ongoing compliance with the standards.
  • Collaborate with the Finance Director to implement robust controls and internal audits related to all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA regulations, including record-keeping, reporting, and adherence to guidelines.
  • Monitor regulatory updates and ensure that all processes are updated in line with FCA requirements.
  • Assist in preparing reports for submission to regulatory bodies and ensure proper documentation of all compliance efforts.

Role requirements include:

  • Proven experience in a compliance or quality assurance role, preferably within a regulated industry.
  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations and data effectively.
  • Exceptional attention to detail with strong organisational skills.
  • Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation, both verbally and in writing.
  • Proficient in using compliance management software and tools.
  • A relevant degree or professional qualification in a related field is advantageous.
  • Six Sigma certifications.
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
  • PRINCE2 or PMI.

Additional pay:

  • Bonus scheme.
  • Performance bonus.

Benefits include:

  • Company events.
  • Company pension.
  • Free flu jabs.
  • Health and wellbeing programme.
  • On-site parking.
  • Profit sharing.

Hours:

Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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