You’re struggling to find your footing in a new job. How can you make the most of your first 90 days?

Firstly, don't panic, you will not be expected to know everything at once, this takes time. Communication is key, sit down with your manager and clarify some goals and come up with a plan for the next 90 days, talk to other team members, see how they work, build connections, take time to listen and understand the business, and don't be afraid to ask questions, schedule regularly updates with your manager to give updates and ask for advice during this period.

Starting a new job feels like being the new kid at school. To make the most of your first 90 days, think about asking lots of questions to understand what your teacher (or in this case, your boss and team) expects from you. It's like knowing exactly what you need to do to get an A on your report card. Find out what success looks like in your role, what projects you should focus on, and how you can help your team the best. Just like in school, knowing the rules and what you're supposed to learn makes everything easier. This way, you can work on the right things and start making friends with your classmates (or coworkers) by showing them you're excited to be part of the team and ready to learn and help.

To clarify expectations in a new job within the first 90 days, consider scheduling a meeting with your supervisor to discuss goals, responsibilities, and performance metrics. Seek feedback regularly, and actively communicate your progress and challenges. This proactive approach fosters a clear understanding between you and your team, helping you establish a strong foundation in your new role.

In your first 90 days in a new job, focus on building relationships by actively listening and engaging with colleagues. Understand the company culture, mission, and values. Seek feedback and clarify expectations. Learn from mistakes and stay adaptable. Demonstrate initiative, contribute ideas, and show a willingness to learn.

The first 90 days are the most crucial for relationship building. Get to know who does what in your organization. Listen more than you speak, and get to understand what roles people play in your new organization. Impressions are being made, so, so make sure you are starting off in the right direction.

Take every opportunity to learn from your colleagues. Whether shadowing them during their tasks, asking questions, or seeking advice, tapping into their knowledge and experience can provide invaluable insights into the company culture, processes, and best practices.

The best way to learn in a new job, in my opinion, is to learn from others. Plan a welcome / onboarding meeting or coffee, show genuine interest and ask for help when needed, but also offer your help if possible. Connect with people in the company and start to network from day one.

Take the initiative to seek out opportunities to contribute before instructions come to you; take the initiative to seek out opportunities to contribute. Offer ideas, propose solutions to challenges, and demonstrate your willingness to take on responsibilities beyond your job description. This proactive approach shows your dedication and enthusiasm for your role.

Instead of waiting for things to come your way, you can show your motivation and determination by being proactive. I always aim to fully understand the company and its processes, in order to contribute, improve or innovate after. Demonstrate your willingness, be open minded and take initiative when possible!

Building relationships is key to succeeding in any job. Take the time to get to know your colleagues, understand their roles, and foster positive working relationships. Networking within the organization can open doors to collaboration, support, and mentorship opportunities.

In my experience, building relationships with team members and credibility provided a safe environment for learning, transparency and open communication. Be an active listener, ask for suggestions and feedback to identify potential issues, these help to strengthen relationships. Understand your team members personalities and relate with them accordingly; it helps to build trust, respect and rapport. Align with shared vision, strategy and goals to achieve team’s success. Study and understand your job description and expectations to help you achieve success. Know your stakeholders, find out their pain points, and design strategies to solve them. This helps to gain credibility and understanding. Leverage on quick wins.

Knowing your objectives and goals upfront will help you determine which tasks to prioritize, but also which tasks are your responsibility. Make sure you are polite when you say no, you take charge of your work-life balance and you discuss with your manager when you feel over- or underwelhmed.

It's important to strike a balance in managing your workload. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines, importance, and impact, and feel free to communicate with your manager if you feel overwhelmed or need assistance in managing your responsibilities effectively.

Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem. Recognizing and acknowledging your achievements boosts morale and motivation for yourself and your team. It also reinforces a positive work culture where accomplishments are valued and celebrated.

In the initial 90 days of a new job, embracing the W.I.N. (What's Important Now) concept is vital to navigate through the period of adjustment effectively. Begin by focusing on understanding the core values, expectations, and culture of your new workplace. Prioritize establishing clear, achievable goals for what you want to accomplish each day, keeping in mind the broader picture of your role within the company. Engage actively with your colleagues and superiors to build a network of support, seek feedback regularly to guide your progress, and reflect on your learning and experiences daily. This deliberate focus on "what's important now" aids in managing overwhelm by breaking down the larger goal into manageable tasks.

Consider seeking feedback regularly to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. Stay adaptable and open to constructive criticism, as it's essential to your growth and development within the organization. And finally, be patient with yourself as you navigate through the initial learning curve of your new role. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a successful career transition.

Realize that it takes time to find footing in a new job. As with any new challenge you take on, Rome wasn't build in a day. Give yourself grace, time to adjust and celebrate your wins along the way. Stay adaptable and open, and try to see the positive side of having taken on a new challenge!

One thing that can help build relationships, clarify expectations and point you in the right direction for taking & showing initiative is… Learning to ask open-ended insightful questions. Tony Robbins said: “The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions.” As new employees we might be so focused on specifics that we ask laser-focused closed questions that limit the insights we can access. While those can be immediately helpful be mindful about also asking broader open-ended questions so that: 1: you’re expressing interest in others & they feel honored to share their experience and guidance 2: you’re open to info you didn’t know/think to ask (the what) 3: you get a sense of culture (how work gets done)

This period should be dedicated to climbing the steep learning curve of your new role. Learning daily is a key focus. Learn about your organization’s history and future focus, the clients your company serves, and your impact in that overall vision. Establish realistic 30, 60, 90 day goals for immediate impact in your role and fine tune them at 30 day clips as you come up to speed. For example, at 30 days reflect and refine your 60 & 90 day goals. I always appreciate new employees that network a great deal in their first 90 days to learn about the organization by talking to people in the organization and build a thoughtful network.