My First 200 Days, and How I Climbed the Learning Curve Faster

Note: The other day, I wrote a post that got lots of engagement about my First 200 Days in my new job after changing careers and the steps I took to catch up faster.

Well, I think this is valuable and many of you wrote to me privately and publicly about changing careers and the challenges that come with it. So I'm writing an article to share the tips again and expand on this important topic.

Here it goes...

Time flew by, but it’s already been 200+ days in my new job as Sr. Social Media Brand & Influencer Manager at NielsenIQ . I’ll share my essential checklist for how I climbed the learning curve faster.

To me, joining a new team is like an organ transplant—and you're the new organ.

If you don't plan and adapt well, you can have issues and get rejected by the organization's immune system ??

I worked in employer branding for 7 years, climbing up to being Global Head of Employer Branding at a 40,000 associate multinational organization. I decided it was time for a change.

Since moving into my new brand marketing role, I’ve been knee-deep learning stuff and working on large-scale activations.

It’s been a heck of a ride! And still is ??

After doing some research, I've found that The Dunning-Kruger Effect is the best representation to understand the progression that most people follow during their careers:

Feel relatable?

My goal and guiding question

About me, I’m thrilled about how things are going, the first 90 days were mainly about focused learning, transitioning, goal-setting, and relationship-building. The second 100+ days built on that momentum - focusing on strategy, creating value by executing early wins, and increasing visibility.

? My guiding question throughout the transition was: “How can I create virtuous cycles that can help me reach key objectives quickly and effectively in my new role?”

?? The main goal: “Climb the learning curve as fast as I can to start creating value."

Here’s my checklist of how I made my transition easier and climbed the learning curve faster:

1. First, I made a mental break from my old role and prepared to take the lead in the new one.

I made sure I wasn’t limiting myself to my old ways of working and opened up to changing them (what made me successful in the past won’t necessarily make me successful again!).

Why this matters for you: When you're stuck in old patterns, it's hard to adapt to new working styles. Clearing your mind and embracing change allows you to approach your new role with fresh eyes and a growth mindset.

2. I took time to understand the working style of my new team and find my place.

This meant a lot of listening, shadowing, understanding dynamics, and finding gaps I could solve for (in my own team and beyond).

Why this matters for you: A team is like a puzzle; everyone has a unique piece to contribute. Understanding your team's dynamics helps you find your place and build strong working relationships while filling gaps and adding critical value in your new role.

3. I made a list of stakeholders to connect with and get to know early on.

I mapped out who the key POCs are, built my personal brand internally, and identified opportunities to add value to different functions.

Why this matters for you: Your professional network is your secret weapon. Building strong relationships across different departments can open doors to new opportunities and provide invaluable support, create alliances and relationships early to get stuff done.

4. I booked-marked resources, literature, slides, and sites.

Where I could easily access new important and useful information for my role (many new acronyms!)

Why this matters for you: Reading up means catching up quickly. Staying informed empowers you to make better decisions and contribute effectively. Having quick access to information saves time and prevents decision paralysis.

5. I worked on refining my new scope.

With opportunities and actions to focus on, making sure to connect them back to overarching business goals and needs

Why this matters for you: A clear understanding of your role prevents misunderstandings and ensures you're focused on the right priorities. Aligning your work with company goals helps you demonstrate your value. If can't tie it back to what matters to the business, does it actually matter?

6. A BIG lesson is that investing in your personal brand is a gift that keeps on giving. Invest early.

Why this matters for you: Your personal brand is your reputation. Building a strong brand opens doors to new opportunities, increases your influence, and boosts your confidence. Plus, it helps with imposter syndrome too.

(P.S. I can help here! Check out my resources and book a Power Session with me: https://linktr.ee/annabertoldini )

I got to the point where I'm confident knowing I built key infrastructure early on. My advantage is that I know most of the team already (and they all rock!) and most of my skills are transferrable.

But nonetheless, transitions are both scary and risky as you keep rising the corporate ladder. So these steps really helped supercharge my journey.

?? And one more item? Be kind to yourself.

I had my fair share of awkward moments, “huh?” moments where I felt stumped, and many moments in which I didn’t feel qualified.

But here we are. It’s worth it and it will be for you too. Well done on being brave and taking the leap!

Have you been through a career change? I'm happy to guide you through this process.

It's important to build your brand from the beginning, as personal branding will be a crucial component to your success in your new role and beyond! Learn more and book a 1:1 Power Session with me here: https://linktr.ee/annabertoldini