Editor's note: One of the most exciting challenges in a professional's career is to start a new job but this can also be a very stressful and demanding time. Here, Brian Zhang, manager of the consumer sales and marketing division at Robert Walters Talent Consulting Ltd China, has put together a few tips on how to survive adjusting to a new job and, inevitably, a new boss.

The first few weeks of a new job are always difficult. Even seasoned professionals say that starting a new job is a tough task. Professionals must realize that the job will never be exactly as they expected although, if you anticipate the challenges ahead, your transition into the new organization can be much smoother. A new job means new relationships, new ways of doing things and new expectations.

Not only has your work place changed but so has your boss. Most professionals will face this challenge at some stage in their careers. This can be a career enhancer or a career killer. Some will talk of the situation as being the hardest part of starting a new job while some will consider it the easiest.

In order to ensure that your new role starts well, it is important that you let go of your old bosses. You may have worked fantastically together and loved the way they worked, but your new boss has new priorities, a new focus and almost certainly new ways of doing things.

It is important to figure out your manager's communication style, find out how they like to work and how they like things done. For example, does the new boss like one-on-one meetings or team meetings? Are they interested in details or do they prefer an overview? Finding out these things early on can avoid you making missteps.

Be proactive and initiate a meeting with your new boss to discuss how they like to work - and adapt. This will help you get an understanding of what is expected of you and help set clear expectations.

Working under a new boss can be challenging. However, it is an experience that should be embraced. Learn everything you can from the experience. Try to empathize with the boss's situation. This will ease the transition for you both.

Ultimately it is just as important for you to manage your new boss as it is for them to manage you. And remember, it's up to the both of you to make the relationship work.

Contact the writer at haoyuan@chinadaily.com.cn.

Advice provided by Brian Zhang, manager of the consumer sales and marketing division at Robert Walters Talent Consulting Ltd China.

(China Daily 03/20/2012 page14)