You landed the job - congratulations! Starting a new role is exciting, but those first few months can feel like a whirlwind. In those first days, you start to understand the culture of the business and how things are done.
I have had my fair share of new job starts, some that were good and others not so positive. The best thing you can do for yourself within that period is to be brutally honest with yourself about how it is going.
Think back to when you started at your last company. Did you feel a bit overwhelmed and unsure of how to prove your worth? Maybe you put your head down and tried to sink or swim those first few months. Or maybe you had a mentor who showed you the ropes for a smooth transition.
Wherever you are coming from, you now have a fresh opportunity to apply lessons learned and hit the ground running at your new workplace. Here are 5 steps to rock those critical first 90 days in my experience:
1. Learn the Culture
Every company is its own micro-culture. Observe how communication flows, what the work norms are, and how decisions get made. When I started working in a production factory as an intern, I noticed people were very informal and casual. At my next job in a corporate business, the vibe was much more formal. Ask questions respectfully to understand expectations.
2. Build Relationships
Getting to know your colleagues as real people is key. When you are new at a job, you have a special chance to learn and ask questions freely. This “newbie” power lets you meet important people and ask things others might not. Use this chance well in the first 90 days, and you could quickly make a good impression.
3. Identify Key Players
Early on, figure out who the influential players are you should aim to build strong ties with. Ask your co-workers: "If you needed to get something done, who would you go to?" Identifying those in the know can accelerate your rise.
4. Manage Expectations
In your first meeting with your manager, get crystal clear on your role's responsibilities and priorities. Lay out a 30-60-90 day plan for how you will approach getting up to speed. Setting expectations avoids surprises down the line.
5. New Perspective
Bring new ideas carefully. Even if there are old ways of doing things, you were hired to bring a new view. Ask questions in meetings to understand why things are done a certain way. For example, “Why do we do this? What about trying this instead?” This way, you can learn first, and then helpfully suggest new ideas.
In closing…
From an employee's perspective, the expectations set during the interview process might not always align with the reality on the ground. The job description and the responsibilities discussed might not accurately reflect the day-to-day tasks or the workload. It is essential to manage these expectations and communicate openly with your manager to ensure a smooth transition.
Those first 90 days set the tone for your future at the company. By building relationships, managing expectations, learning the culture, and delivering strong work, you will gain respect and position yourself for long-term growth.
Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, but embracing this shaky transition period with self-awareness and dedication puts you ahead of the game. Take the first 90 days one step at a time while keeping an eye on the prize - establishing yourself as an invaluable team player.You've got this!
Let me know how your last 90 days experience was like and how you navigated it.
This is really a guide on how to survive the first 90 days anywhere, even here on Substack. The culture, the relationships, the formal and informal dynamics, implied and expressed expectations...
Far too many people imagine that work is about technical roles, then they realize that these other elements - the organizational politics - matter just as much, especially if one wants to grow.
Thank you for this Tinashe.
The first few months are filled with anxiety and stress, but are later viewed as the most memorable and nostalgic months. Thank you for this guide that will help make those memories special :)