How to make an impact when starting a new job

Starting a new job can be just as intimidating as the interview. On top of the usual stress that this situation brings, we are currently having to adapt to a world of work heavily impacted by Covid-19.

Onboarding now may be done partially or entirely remotely. So, how can you make sure you start off on the right foot?

Follow our steps to make an impact in your job from day one:

The first week

Make connections – Whether in person or remotely, introduce yourself to co-workers. Send an email telling your team a little about yourself or communicate via online chat. Ask your manager who you should know and ask for time at the beginning of first meetings to introduce yourself. Connect with co-workers and arrange to meet for lunch or coffee (or a video chat). You will feel more comfortable, and they will have a chance to get to know you.

Find your way around – Get to know where everything is in your new office. Find the best route to work to help you settle into a routine. The virtual equivalent is ensuring you have all your equipment set up and ready to go and asking your manager who to contact for specific issues.

Ask questions - Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t understand, you’re not expected to be an expert at this point. Listen carefully and take notes to avoid repeating yourself. Working from home can be isolating – after all, you can’t just swivel your chair and quickly clarify something. Be proactive and reach out online, just as you would in person.

Establish your personal brand - The second you start, your personal brand counts. First impressions are crucial – you have just 7 seconds to make a good one. From day one, be professional, but let your personality shine. Exude confidence with open body language (equally important on video calls) and be positive when interacting with your new co-workers.

The first month

Get organised - It’s easy to become overwhelmed at the beginning of a new job. You’re taking on new knowledge, processes, and tasks. Get into the habit of prioritising, creating daily lists of goals, and scheduling your time.

Understand expectations - Touch base with your manager to establish your goals and how success will be measured. Prepare questions beforehand and don’t be afraid to steer the discussion. Prioritise tasks by determining what your manager considers most important. Sometimes managers aren’t fully aware of how much time a task requires, so be honest about what you’re capable of and set goals together.

Set boundaries - It’s important to be able to say ‘no’ to avoid burnout or being taken advantage of. An example is making it clear you’re unavailable after working hours. This is tricky to reverse, so be firm from the beginning.

Build relationships – Communicate with your team regularly. With remote working this is especially crucial. Make your presence known and take the initiative to set up a ‘virtual coffee’ and create a group chat if there isn’t one already. Attend events – in person or virtual – that give you the opportunity to bond. This benefits the company as well as you – research by Gallup shows that connecting socially with co-workers can increase productivity.

The first 90 days

Set clear goals - focus on your goals and strive for success. Be ambitious and challenge yourself – you’ll demonstrate enthusiasm, while progressing in your role.

Be proactive - If you don’t already have regular meetings with your manager, take the initiative and update them on your status at the end of each week. It’s a good way to show you’re on top of things and gives them an overview of how you’re doing. Don’t wait to be asked, contact colleagues working on a project you’re interested in, ask how things work and if you can help.

Focus on the positive – Doubting yourself is common in a new job. But remember, three months is not a long time. Think of all you’ve learnt since day one and focus on your achievements. You were hired for a reason – and have already shown you’re the right choice.

Whether searching for a new opportunity, or starting a job, you can always reach out to our team for expert advice on dealing with the changing world of work.