Starting a new job can be so stressful! I have started many positions in my life (!) and sometimes it can help to have a plan for the first three months. Remember, you get paid for effort, attitude, and results. A positive attitude can go a long way in making up for what you don’t know, right?
1. Ask your new employer to help you develop a transition plan for the first 30-60-90 days so you know what will be important for you to achieve during your first three months on the job. Your 90-day plan should specify priorities, goals, and milestones. Plus, it shows proactive thinking!
2. Make learning a key component of your first 90 days in a new job. Try to learn the history of the company and begin to understand the culture. This will help you be more successful in your new role.
3. Check in regularly with your new boss. Even if you have developed a master plan together, make sure you are scheduling progress meetings to make sure you are on track towards achieving the goals you’ve set for your first 90 days. Ask your boss how often they would like you to check in with them for progress meetings. Each manager has a different style, some are more hands-on and others are more hands-off. Figuring out their style will help you mesh better, too.
4. Identify one area where you can secure an “easy win” — an accomplishment that can be achieved through focused effort within the first 90 days that you can build on for future success. Make sure that the win is something that is important to your new boss. Making them look good will make you look good!
5. Be social! Join in with employee events, teams, food days, etc. Be friendly with everyone and don’t be anti-social. As I said before, being friendly can make up for what you don’t know!
What have your experiences been in starting a new job? Share in the comments!
