The First 90 Days – Starting Off Strong in Your First Job

Your first job will be an opportunity to learn several things about yourself and the profession, as well as demonstrate your potential to your colleagues and managers. While there isn’t one way to succeed at these tasks, the following recommendations should help make the process easier.

Be Prepared…

  • Think back to your last transition. What were your feelings? How long did the transition seem to last? What coping mechanisms helped? Become an expert in your own transition process so you know what to expect.
  • Give yourself patience and compassion as you work through difficult pieces.
  • Reflect and acknowledge the mixed feelings. What are you looking forward to? What are you going to miss?
  • Respect your needs, starting with the basics, such as those outlined in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

  • It can be hard to go from being an expert in your circumstances to being a beginner. Don’t expect perfection. Do expect learning.
  • Experiencing discomfort and taking risks result in the greatest opportunities for growth. Say yes as much as you can.
  • Be strategic with your time and priorities – what gaps in your knowledge need to be addressed first?

  • Arrive on time.
  • Ask questions – even basic ones.
  • Learn key information – names, titles, organizational structure, and resources.
  • Meet coworkers.
  • Craft an introduction.
  • Be curious.

Understand Expectations

  • Revisit your job description, and ask your manager to define what success looks like in 30, 60, and 90 days.
  • Understand priorities, communication norms, and how your work will be evaluated.
  • In team and project meetings, know (or request) next action steps and who is responsible for what pieces.

  • Observe how people interact, what gets said and not said, norms of behavior, consider thoughtfully which norms may be the best for you to participate in, given your role and goals.
  • Understand the organizational chart, as well as who the helpful resources in the office or department.
  • Learn how the team operates and contribute right away. Help others until you have more responsibilities on your plate.
  • Determine which battles are worth fighting. Be respectful of final decisions.
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)  are affinity groups for support & advocacy for employees who are of an identity that may not be well represented in the organization or may experience the effects of systemic oppression.
  • All employees should be aware and responsible for equity and inclusion in the workplace and think about how to best communicate with those in positions of authority if you see an issue arise.

  • Acknowledge and recognize the disappointments, challenges and benefits.
  • Working remotely or in a hybrid environment requires patience, flexibility and good communication. Be clear and proactive about expectations.
  • Building connections will may be more challenging.

Build Your Professional Skills

  • Be polished, authentic and articulate in written and oral communication.
  • Ask questions, share early drafts and thought process, provide regular updates with supervisor and team.
  • Be aware of what your nonverbal communication is saying about you – be open to and learn from feedback.
  • Be comfortable using the phone as needed – take your cue from your supervisor and team.
  • Respond to emails, requests for information and  meeting proposals promptly. If you don’t know an answer yet, acknowledge the request and respond once you do. Have a system to remind yourself of emails that need later action.
  • Observe, listen, learn. 
  • Take time for yourself when you need to. We all have limits to our energy  and it is important to understand what yours are.

  • Document your work, noting your achievements – you will be surprised how much you may forget that you did. This will help at evaluation time and when looking for the next opportunity.
  • Use a calendar to plan your time, helping you to stay on task and be realistic about your projects.
  • Decide when you want to check email. You can consolidate your email to particular times in the day so you have time for deeper work without interruption.
  • Try to maintain a clean, organized workspace.
  • Create an end-of-day routine – look ahead to the next day, finish up tasks, leave reminders of what you were doing.

Find Support and Connections

  • Schedule informational interviews with colleagues in different departments and at different levels to learn more about the organization and potential collaborations, as well as to find potential mentors.
  • Participate in mentor programs that may be offered by your employer or professional organizations in your industry.
  • Consider creating a personal “executive board,” which is a small, intentional group of trusted individuals who can provide perspective, challenge assumptions, and help create a roadmap toward your goals. Key roles include mentor, connector, critic, cheerleader, expert, mental health or spiritual coach, and peer.  See The Importance of Learning From Others for more information about these roles and the concept.

  • Update people in your network about your new position and offer gratitude when appropriate. Continue building and maintaining professional relationships.
  • Stay connected and active on LinkedIn – join the Bucknell Alumni group and other alumni and professional groups.
  • Join professional associations and industry groups related to your job and field.
  • Establish routines to keep in touch with people.

Additional Perspectives, Advice and Resources

“Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves. “
  

William Patten  
By Sarah Bell
Sarah Bell Director, Career Readiness & Education
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