Just started a new role? Here's how to thrive in the first 90 days!

Starting a new role can be both exciting and nerve wracking - the good news is that both those emotions feel quite similar, so you get to choose how YOU feel as you embark on your new adventure.

If you have started a new role in 2021, there's a good chance that the majority, if not all of your recruitment process was conducted virtually, so being onboarded and then beginning your new role virtually is purely a continuation of that. So in theory working virtually should be pretty easy to transition into, right?

Well, if you're not feeling 100% confident (like most people in this situation), then here are some tips to help you thrive rather than simply survive....you got this!

In this article I want to provide you with some helpful ideas and resources to use in your first 90 days (and beyond), so here we go:

Tip One - If you have a healthy network and continued to actively build and nurture it during your Job Search, then this step will be easy for you. Remember, networking is essentially having conversations with people and building relationships - this is an incredible valuable skill to hone at any time in your career and now is the time to use it.

Opportunity - Get to know your team by having 30 mins 1-on-1 sessions with people from across the business. Catch up virtually via your NewCo's chosen tech (ex: Teams or Zoom) with people individually so you can learn about their role and also get to know them a little bit on a personal level. To make it super productive, plan some questions for each session and share openly about your self too. Getting to know your team-mates is such an important activity to do early in your role as it provides you with context about how your role fits into the organisation and it makes you feel like part of the team and the community quickly.

Tip Two - Ask lots of questions and build a picture of events and groups you can be part of so that you are in the loop in key discussions that will help you execute in your role.

Opportunity - You will get an idea of what's relevant to you from chatting with your Manager and ensuring that you get up-to-speed on the way the company communicates. These days we have so many different channels that we can receive information through, so instead of assuming things, ask questions about where you can find the information you need. Also, understand how your new team and organisation use social media channels. Become part of that conversation/discussion and actively participate.

Tip Three - Show up as YOU, be clear about your 'personal brand' and use your unique voice.

Opportunity - You may be new, but you were recruited because you can add value to the role you are in and the team you have joined. Of course you are learning, so use your discretion about how and where you interact in those early weeks and months. If in doubt chat directly with your Manager and team-mates to see what the culture is like, so you can get traction and continue to build your personal brand.

Tip Four - Be proactive - bring solutions and ideas to discussions with your Manager. Create (and continue to refine) a 30-60-90 day plan so that you can track your progress and feel confident about what you are delivering in those early months.

Opportunity - Always remember that you have be recruited for a reason - because you are GREAT at what you do and your team and new employer want you to bring your unique skills and perspective to the table ASAP! It's very empowering to create personal plans and continue to refine them as you learn more about your role and the organisation. Proactively sharing ideas and plans demonstrates your personal leadership skills and shows that you are able to 'generate' yourSELF. If you'd like a structure/template to utilise for your 90 day plan, check this out: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/30-60-90-day-plan from the team at Indeed.

Extra Tip - Continue to be proactive beyond your 90 days too - your input is important and can add lots of value. Never stop 'showing up'!

There are so many things you can do to integrate with your new team so get involved, show up, ask questions, be proactive, network and be curious. The first 90 days are a great time to learn, process, listen and contribute.

Remember, if you feel wobbly at any point, you have been successful in landing your role, so grab it with both hands and enjoy the process of becoming part of a new team.

You've got this - enjoy your new adventure!

Cheers Tee-Jay ;)

PS: If you start a new role and within the first 90 days you feel it's NOT for you, it's OK. In this virtual landscape it can be harder to discern whether a culture, team or role is 100% for you.

My advice, do as much research as you can before you join, via your network, via contacts, posts and information being shared in forums like LinkedIn (yes this is a VERY rich source of authentic data). If after a few weeks or months you want to tap out, before you do that chat to your Manager and get a reality check first.

Life is all about choices and what you choose to do each day for work is important for your body, mind, spirit and bank balance.

No matter what, everything will turn out - everything happens for a reason, right?

Importantly though, don't burn bridges with the team if you choose to exit because you feel awkward or embarrassed. Always treat people the way you'd like to be treated and you just never know what's possible, there may be another role there that is better suited to you at that organisation in another team or someone in that team may refer you to someone in their network.

In these current uncertain times, you just never know, literally anything is possible!