3 Tips for Nailing Your First Few Weeks on the Job

Career Success

Nov 21

Photo by The Jopwell Collection on Unsplash

Starting a new job can be both exciting and terrifying. You’ve convinced your manager that you’re the right person for the job via the interview, but now it’s time to show and prove. So, how exactly do you go about doing that?

We often hear about the importance of your first 90 days for laying the foundation for success. Some jobs have full onboarding plans to guide you through expectations, yet many others don’t. With that in mind, here are three easy ways to set yourself up for success in the first few weeks.

Give yourself permission to be a beginner.

When starting a new job, some people have trouble accepting the fact that they won’t magically know everything about the company and the position. This is often amplified by the fear of “asking a stupid question.” Please rest assured that most jobs have a “grace period” for getting up-to-speed. Being a beginner allows you to lead with curiosity and truly learn the ins and outs required to succeed.

Try to meet one-on-one with as many people as possible.

This will help you get a good understanding of current expectations as well as company culture. It’s also a great way to begin building the relationships necessary to thrive at work. A few questions to ask during your conversation include:

What areas is your role responsible for?
How does your role interface with my role?
What would you consider the biggest areas of opportunity with my role in mind?

Secure a quick win.

Figure out an area where you can immediately provide value. This doesn’t have to be an elaborate solution to the company’s biggest problem - just something that builds your team’s confidence in your ability to get things done! A few easy wins could involve: