Starting a New Job: Your First 90 Days

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.If you make a purchase using the link we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

As a former hiring manager, I have seen first hand how important it is to make a good first impression. I have seen countless people take on a role and create a horrible reputation for themselves right out the gate. Unfortunately, these reputations last a long time and are nearly impossible to overcome. Here are some tips for starting a new job.

Start Before You Start

You did it, you got the job!  As soon as you get the offer, you should start preparing.  There are a ton of things that you can do prior to starting a new job to help you hit the ground running. Reach out to your new boss and ask if there is any reading or training that you can do prior to your first day.  Go online and research the industry and company as much as you can.  You should also take the time before starting a new job and organize yourself and your home as much as possible. You can invest in a new planner, organize your home office, take care of any outstanding errands or appointments, even doing a deep clean of your house can make you feel more prepared to take on a new role. Anything you can do to eliminate stress will allow you to start a new job feeling refreshed and present.

Have a Positive Attitude

Let’s be honest, starting a new job can be tough.  You have no clue what you are doing yet, you’re still trying to get a sense for the company culture, you need to learn a whole new group of people,  and you can’t find where they keep extra office supplies. You may even find the job very different than what you had originally thought. It’s like when you first get married and are desperately trying to figure out this whole married life thing and then you realize that your spouse snores and leaves wet towels everywhere. You can become a bit shell-shocked.  However, having a negative attitude will not help the situation out in any way.  Negativity only breeds negativity. It’s best to keep a positive attitude and have patience.  Patience with yourself, patience with your coworkers, and patience with your employer.  Chances are everything will be running smoothly in a few months and you don’t want a reputation of being a negative Nancy chasing you around.

Clarity Expectations Up Front

In the early days of starting a new job, it is important that you clarify expectations as early as possible.  You want to have a full understanding of what is expected of you in terms of job performance and deliverables.  You should also ask what their preferred communication style, method, and frequency. Another very valid question to ask up front is what the bosses pet-peeves are.   Every boss has them.  You want to find out as early as you can as to avoid them.  I was a manager of people for many years and that question was seldom asked but always appreciated.  Trust me, having that conversation up front is much easier than waiting until after you have already annoyed each other for weeks or months.   It’s also a good idea to ask coworkers similar questions in case your boss isn’t self-aware of forthcoming.

Help People Like You

You will want to start right away getting to know your new coworkers and forming relationships.  Being well-liked in the workplace not only makes work less “work-ish” and more enjoyable, but it makes you more successful. You need other people to get your job done.  People tend to help people more that they like.  Therefore, it makes a whole lot of sense to try to get people to like you.  I know it sounds silly, but it is the reality. The first key to this is to be polite, respectful, and friendly.   Make it a point to learn as much as you can about others by asking questions and being genuinely interested.  People love to talk about themselves and their family, it’s human nature. Capitalize on this and get to know people as well as you can. Note kids names, pets, and hobbies.  Reference these facts in later conversations.  I also suggested connecting in an informal setting.  You get to know someone much better in a relaxed setting such as an offsite lunch or happy hour.

Be Respectful with Feedback

No doubt, you were hired for a reason and your manager obviously values your opinion.  However, when you are new to a role you will want to be sensitive with sharing your feedback and/or suggestions, especially if you are new to a company.  People tend to be very loyal to their company and coworkers.  Think of it like this, you can think your sister is super annoying but if someone else thinks she is, they better watch out.  I once had a coworker start with our company.  He compared everything to his last employer,  “my last company was much better at that”, “This technology is so outdated, it was much easier to do this at my last job.”  He made my skin crawl, he was so annoying. Granted, he had valid points and was likely telling the truth. However, I was annoyed and almost offended every time he would do this.  Now, this is not to say that the company shouldn’t hear such feedback but using some decorum and tact can go a long way.   Wait for appropriate times to share feedback or suggestions such as one-on-ones with your manager.  Use a positive tone and always bring a possible solution when you are bringing about criticism.

Ask for Feedback Regularly

Feedback is good and essential as you start a new job.  While feedback can be painful to hear, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to your job performance.  Hopefully, you will have regular touch-bases scheduled with your boss. If not, I would highly suggest you take the initiative and get them on the calendar (at least once a month). During these one-on-ones, it is critical that you seek feedback regularly from your boss.   Don’t just ask “do you have any feedback?”. Your boss may not be comfortable being forthright with their feedback just yet.  Leaving it open-ended makes it too easy for your boss to skirt the question entirely.  Try asking for feedback in a more pointed manner such as “What are three things I should focus on in the next month?” or “What are 2-3 items that I should include in my personal development plan?”. Hopefully, these questions will help you solicit invaluable feedback as you start your new job.

It can also be helpful to ask your coworkers, partners, and customers. These individuals may be closer to your work so they can provide more relevant and accurate feedback.  They also may have a better idea of what is needed to be successful.  At the very least, it will demonstrate humility on your part and a willingness to learn.

Starting a new job? Take the Dominate Your New Job Masterclass. This Udemy course is jam-packed with practical advice and resources to help you start your new job on the right foot.  

WHAT ARE YOUR tips for starting a new job?  What mistakes have you made in the first 90 days of a job? leave a comment, we would love to hear!

Follow Darling CEO! Check out Darling CEO on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Suggested Reading