How to be Successful in Your New Role

Congratulations!  You landed a new job and now your first day of work is officially here. It’s exciting and a bit overwhelming for many of us, even if we have had several “first days” before. Here are a few tips to help ensure a successful start.

Ask lots of questions

Remember you were hired because the organization believes you can do the work, but no one expects you to walk in with all the answers on day one. Being curious helps those around you know what interests you, understand what you may need more training on, and it highlights your thinking process.  Although your manager may be your go-to person for questions, teammates and colleagues are great resources too. Which brings me to point number 2…

Get to know the people

If there are other new hires, work to build a connection with them, because they can be great sources of support as you learn to navigate your new roles together.  But don’t stop there!  Your office will also be filled with people with various backgrounds, experiences, and expertise. Set up one-on-one meetings, grab a coffee to learn about them, and find out more about their work.  Ask your new colleagues to recommend books, podcasts, or blogs that will help you get familiar with the organization or industry you are in.

Get to know the organization

You researched to get the role before the interviews but now that you’re on the inside, you’ll have access to so much more information. Read all the training materials your predecessor left you.  Make sure to learn as much as you can about your department. What big projects are priorities right now? How does your team measure success? Who are the key players? Ask to sit in on appropriate meetings, volunteer for projects, and see where you can offer to help. 

Set a path for self-directed learning

All these steps can’t happen in the first few days, so once you get the basics down, create a 90-day plan for yourself.  Which 5 people do you want to have one-on-one meetings with?  What projects do you want to learn more about?  Set up goals and timelines and then share them with your supervisor. This can be a great way to check in to see if you’re meeting expectations.

As someone who has had many first days, I know that at times, the first few days can leave something to be desired. If your new employer hasn’t mastered the onboarding process, take heart. Using these tips, you’ll have options to get up and running quickly—and meaningfully—in your new job. Linkedin Learning also has several courses to help young professionals who are early in their career. Make sure to check them out!

By Diane Conroy, Assistant Director, Employer Engagement