How to hit the ground running in your new job

It’s finally here, the start of a new chapter in your career – you’re about to start your new job.

Whether it’s your first job or your sixth, there’s always a lot to think about so let’s break it down into milestones. This way your worries are more manageable, and you can easily identify your progress.

Amongst all the excitement, there’s sure to be some nerves before the big day. You want to make a good first impression and hit the ground running. So, how do you set yourself up for success in this new role, new business, new environment? 

Here’s our guide for success in the first week, first month and first 90 days in your new job…

Week One

First impressions are important in week one but try not to put too much pressure on yourself to get everything right immediately.There’s a lot to learn in your first week, so getting this balance right is important.

Say “Hello!”

Introducing yourself to your new colleagues should be one of your top priorities in week one. 

It’s impossible to remember everyone’s names on the first day, never mind their roles, positions, and teams. If you ever get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask! This shows that you’re committed to getting to know them, it just might take a little time.

We recommend getting some introductory meetings booked in over the first week. No doubt, this will form part of your onboarding, but make a request to meet as many people as possible if you can.

If you arrange these meetings to take place online, you can make the effort to match the names with the faces that appear on screen. 

Be a sponge

There’s going to be a lot to absorb in that first week. You’ll want to get to know the culture, learn new work and communication styles, and understand your team/company goals. And that’s just to name a few! 

Of course, you’ll have lots of questions. We recommend coming prepared with a list, prioritising the information you need to know, so you don’t overwhelm yourself or your team. 

Other times it might be better to sit back and just take it all in. Find out if you can join meetings even if they don’t completely relate to your work and join colleagues for lunch if you have time. 

Remember not to overcommit yourself, you can’t do it all in one week. 

Month One

After you’ve settled in, you can really start to apply yourself to the role.

In the first month, you should be learning more about how your team works, what they need form you and how you can contribute to their successes.

Establish new habits

As you start this new chapter of your life, it’s a great time to establish new habits and unlearn any bad ones that you may have developed in your previous role.

In the first month, find the time to organise your calendar and to-do lists. It’s also a good idea to get to grips with any new software or practices your new company uses early on. Ask for help if you need it and remember, this is a great opportunity to learn new skills.

Ask how can you bring the most value?

In the first few weeks in your new job, find out how the work you’re doing will add real value and contribute to the success of you and your team.

Truly get to grips with what your colleagues and manager expect from you so you can begin to build the foundations of a strong working relationship and to deliver early on. 

Arrange a meeting with your new manager to set targets and goals if this doesn’t come up as part of your onboarding. Ask what they expect from you, what success looks like and how your performance will be assessed. 

By understanding your performance metrics early on in your new role, you’re putting a framework in place to review and measure your performance.

90 Days

In the first 90 days, you need to take ownership of your role and you should use this time to prepare yourself for your future in this role.

Identify challenges, set goals

We recommend using the first 90 days to identify the challenges that you have already faced and come up with a plan to overcome them alongside your manager or wider team. 

Make sure that the goals you set yourself are clear and, most importantly, achievable. Being responsible for meeting these goals is significant for your personal and professional growth.

Request a review

Again, if this isn’t already covered, it’s a good idea to book a 90-day evaluation with your manager. This will ensure that you’re meeting the expectations that you set out earlier on and will allow you to track the progress you’re making. 

You should also take this opportunity to set out new milestones for the months ahead to keep you focused and motivated. 

So, we hope that this guide gives you an idea of how to hit the ground running at your new job, but first, you need to find one.

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