本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛In the first three months, I got the exact same feeling as you get. Every morning, when I was aproaching the office in my car, I got nervous, I just wanted to misss it. After I parked the car, I didn't want to get out of it! For many many times, I asked myself if I should go back to the plant as a general labour! Fortunately, I am on my way to working out!
I believe there are two major barriers for new immigrants:
(1) Poor English ( Listening is the biggest problem. )
(2) Lack of domain knowledge.
The second one is also a barrier for all the people who find a new job. So, try to concentrate on improving your English listening ability!
I have some experiences to share with you:
(1) Sometimes, it's not your listening problem, it's because your collegue doesn't express clearly. So you have to learn how to CLARIFY! This is very very important! This is how you gain your confidence back! But be efficient when you clarify, don't be afraid to say "what", like: "What is ABC?" or "In what way?"...
Scenarios:
a) your collegue said: "This way is better than the way you mentioned!"
you should say: "what did I mention? and it's better in what way?" ( Don't care about the grammar!)
b) your collegue: "Did you think of sql server replication?"
you: "From where to where?"
Sometimes, you don't understand others, it's not because of your poor listening ability indeed, but because you believe your poor listening ability make you miss it! And you dare to say "Parten me?"
So, next time when you cannot understand others, you should find out the true reason! And forget about saying "Parten me?" and let's say "WHAT?"!
(2) Culture Shock! Actually, I didn't believe culture shock before I got this job.
When my leader asked me questions, he always became impatient, which made me feel so frustrated!
Now I believe I found the reason: I always tried to present a problem, and then a solution, even when I already got a solution. It seems western people don't like this way, they are used to mentioning solution first followed by problem itself!
(3) About small talk, I said you don't understand native people's joke! I believe that's too normal to mention!!! You will be used to it soon! :-)
In my company, the majority is immigrants from Europe, their English is perfect ( as immigrants), but they don't envolve in the jokes. I also noticed some native people also don't like joking around. When they have lunch, they just have lunch!
So, I bet you would get used to the longliness first, and then as your English is improving, you will find everything is under control finally!
SO, TO SUM UP:
(1) Keep watching TV ( I recommand NEWS programm)
(2) Try your best to get the Domain knowledge as fast as possible!
(3) Be ready to enjoy your job!!!!! (*_*)更多精彩文章及讨论,请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net