Table of Contents

1. Learning from the Past, Building the Future
2. The First 90 Days

Landing your new job is a wonderful experience. In fact, don’t forget to celebrate because you definitely deserve it after all your hard work!

The first several weeks in a new job are usually both exciting and filled with a certain amount of anxiety. There are new relationships to form, new procedures and programs to learn, and a new building to get used to. 

Start by understanding what your boss’s priorities are and what the expectations are for your new position. 

Learning from the Past, Building the Future

You can increase your value to your new employer and your chances of long-term success by answering the following questions:

• Do you have skill areas that you can improve upon, as you perform your next job?
• If so, what do you need to learn in order to work more successfully?
• If you were previously laid off or downsized, what can you do differently to make yourself more valuable in THIS job? (Acquire new skills? Develop a better attitude? Take more initiative?)
• How will you follow the trends in the job market in your field?
• Do you know where you want to be in one year, three years, and five years?
• What can you start doing now to help you ultimately reach these goals?

The First 90 Days

Some experts believe you have only 90 days in a new job to make your impact and create a permanent impression that people in the organization will have of you and your leadership capabilities. You’ll either “cut it” or not — in terms of garnering respect, visibility, and credibility in your new position. The precedents you establish in the first 90 days will last for your entire tenure at that organization. So this “thumbprint” period is critically important.

Here are 6 priorities that you should focus on during your first 90 days:

1. Establish positive relationships with your new colleagues and develop good communication habits to maintain those relationships. Be honest, open, friendly, reliable, and clear.
2. Develop a reputation for producing tangible results and for keeping commitments. Immediately start a “success file” and track your accomplishments, contributions, and the positive feedback you get from others.
3. Communicate plans, progress, and results to your superiors and to your team. Become known for developing clear goals and completing projects or tasks on time and within budget.
4. Begin building your in-house contact network. Cultivate connections with everyone – including the employees above and below your level at the company. Get to know people’s names.
5. Review and fine-tune your job description with your manager. Make sure to also sit down during those first 90 days and create a development plan for yourself and your role.
6. Maintain a healthy balance between your work life and your private life. Make sure that you don’t go overboard with your enthusiasm for your new job. Family time, hobbies, and “recharging your batteries” are all part of your continuing effectiveness and success.

Landing your new job offers you an incredible opportunity that extends far beyond the position itself. You now have the chance to create an entirely new professional experience for yourself. You can assimilate into the new job with your eyes wide open; fully conscious of the situation around you and totally capable of handling yourself like a winner.