Learning how to start a new job can be very intimidating. Whether it’s your first job out of college, or you are moving companies after twenty years, those first days with your new company can be nerve-wracking with so much newness thrown at you.
However, this is also an exciting time and is a great way to start setting the precedent of your work. Also, if you are reading this, chances are you have a new role. Congratulations on this next step in your career!
Hopefully, this role is helping you build to your dream job!
We will be covering all the aspects of learning how to start a new job successfully.
Before you start your New Role
Do your Homework (H3)
Chances are you learned a little about the company when you were interviewing with them. Refresh yourself on your interview materials and see what kinds of thought leadership your company is putting out recently. Researching your company will help you see what they believe are their highest priorities and allows you to pick up the jargon before you start your new job.
Researching also helps to ask for some informational interviews before you start. Use your network or someone you made a connection with at the interview to talk for twenty minutes about how you can best start at the company. Every company has its own culture and protocol. You can research online for articles of what people say (like Glassdoor), but hearing it from someone who is currently working there is usually the best source for the most up-to-date and unbiased information. These calls can help you be mentally prepared to excel in your new role.
Studies have found that people who prepare themselves for their new roles are more likely to feel more competent when starting at their new role. These feelings lead to a greater sense of confidence when approaching the novel tasks that this new work will provide.
Also, check out this guide on how to increase your confidence overall for the new role!
Clarify any Questions with Your Recruiter
Reach out to the recruiter to answer any of your questions before starting. Most likely at the interview, and in your job offer you learned all of the basic items that you will need to know. Such as the dress code, if you need any identification for your badge, and what to expect the first week.
However, sometimes these pieces of information do not always flow to the new hires. If you have any questions, reach out to your recruiter as it is part of their role to help you onboard successfully.
Take Some Time Off
If you can afford it, take a few days off-in-between your roles. Building in Time Wealth is a proven way to help make yourself happier and make space for some mental relaxation before entering the rapid learning of your new role.
Furthermore, studies show Sabbaticals are proven ways to reduce burn-out, increase levels of productivity, and increase overall life satisfaction.
How not to Start Your New Job
Sometimes the best way to prepare is to know what not to do. Robert Half has reported that the 5 most common mistakes when you start a new job are:
1. Failing to ask questions or clarify expectations
2. Talking too much about a previous job or company
3. Taking on too much work
4. Ignoring company culture
5. Keeping to yourself
How to Start Your New Job Correctly
Approach your New Job with a Growth Mindset
Having a growth mindset means you approach challenges with an open mindset focused on learning, even when you misstep. As long as you are learning from your mistakes, and not making the same mistake twice, your new team will forgive you for the occasional blunder.
Knowing you will make mistakes is true for new graduates as it is for seasoned professionals. It is a new environment. Practice some self-compassion for when you make mistakes and learn from them.
There will be a lot thrown at you. Learn as much as you can, and keep going.
Do not fall for Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern where an individual doubts their skills, talents or accomplishments, and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud” despite external evidence of their competence.
Studies show that 70% of people will feel imposter syndrome at least once during their professional careers. With job changes or entering a new professional/academic setting being the most common setting for imposter syndrome to manifest.
Remind yourself that you belong in this new role. You deserve to be respected in this position and start getting little victories under your belt (even if it is just finding your new office) to demonstrate to yourself that you are meant to be in your new job.
Ask Questions and Solicit Feedback
Since you are new, it is expected you will not know everything. It is better to ask people questions and get on the right track then assume you know something – which could mess you up and make a poor first impression. When you are working on your tasks, keep that growth mindset by asking for feedback. With the feedback, you will learn what the expectations are of your work and will also get to see people’s preferences for the deliverables they will be looking for.
Listen and Learn
One of the main jobs when starting a new role is getting caught up. Some of your co-workers have been in the company for decades. They know the culture and the business. Learn from them, not intimidated by them. Ask for their insight and use their knowledge to catch yourself up.
Identify the star performers and learn from them. They will be the ones who can give you insight into what skills, abilities, or accomplishments are valued at the company.
Employers want to see new employees who engage with the team, learn quickly, and ask beneficial questions.
Get on the Same Page as your Manager
Your manager is the person who will be evaluating most of your work. You will want to figure out how they like to communicate. Do they like email, quick chats, texts, or anything in-between? Is popping into their office cool, or do you need to schedule a meeting? Everyone has different communication styles and, it’s best to find a way that works with both of you from the start.
Once you are on the same page, check-in with your manager weekly. Let them know what you are working on, what feedback they have, and if you should be prioritizing other tasks. Being proactive with your new manager will show them you care about your work, the team, and that you are willing to learn while still delivering value to the organization. This is also a good time to set expectations about your workload. Do you need more or less? Having your check-ins provides a place to have honest conversations about the expectations.
A lot of starting a new role successfully starts with working out these hiccups with your manager. Studies show that when new employees work with their new managers in a way that works for the both of them, the employee generates more quality work, stays with the company longer, and reports higher life satisfaction than employees who fail to get on the same page with their manager.
Get to know your Colleges
Forbes recommends spending time to get to know your manager, peers, and other departments as your start-up. Ask for introductions when necessary from your manager or people on your team.
Your new team will be the people you will interface with daily for the next several years. Take lunches with them and get to know them in informal settings. Being friendly with your team is a great way to build repour at work.
Studies have found that people who have friends at work report higher job satisfaction, better health, and are as much as seven times more engaged at work than those who do not have any close colleagues.
You will be at your new job 40+ hours a week anyway. Might as well enjoy your work and the people you work with as much as possible!
Summary: How to Start a new job correctly
Recognize that your first 30-90 days are focused exclusively on getting up to speed on your work, workplace culture, manager, and colleagues. Then, after you feel comfortable, have some wins under your belt, and have a few trusted colleagues, you can start producing high-value work for the organization.
Main Take-Aways:
- Approach learning how to start a new job with a growth mindset. Acknowledge you will not know everything off the bat, and that is okay. Practice self-compassion and learn as you go.
- Get on the same page as your manager.
- Talk with your new team and get to know them. They will help you navigate your new workplace and can make the days much more enjoyable.
Action item
Write your game plan for work. Figure out what you are going to wear, how you are going to get to work, and what you want to convey to your team. Prepare mentally for your new role and excel in it!
