It is the candidate market for almost all industries. Employers are fighting for each more or less suitable candidate and are ready to overpay. They even more or less learned how to onboard newcomers and not to lose them in the first few weeks. However, onboarding is not only and not so much about sending a branded backpack and a mug and providing all the necessary tools for work. This is, first of all, a lot of effort of a direct manager whose task is to make it easier for a new employee to quickly assume the role. I already wrote that there are many poor managers
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Therefore, my recommendation for new hires is to take your onboarding into your own hands. This is your career and it depends on you how successful it will be.
Unfortunately, the current market situation gives candidates the illusion that everyone owes them. After dozens of companies have fought for them and they have chosen the best employer in their opinion, they join the team and expect the same servile attitude. They roll over and expect everyone to babysit them. I'm exaggerating, of course, but the contrast really looks so striking that a new employee gets quickly frustrated and leaves. As a result, we now see hundreds of candidates who have changed 5-10 jobs within 2 years and have not stayed anywhere longer than 3-5 months. If this is a recurring pattern, then it is not only the employers fault. It means that each time it will be harder for such candidates to find a job, because other potential employers will see risks in hiring them.
You work first of all for yourself and only you are responsible for what your career will be. So what should be done to make the first three months successful for you?
- Many people think that everything starts from the first working day, but in fact it starts earlier. You have to prepare. Keep in touch with your hiring manager and HR. Usually company representatives send all the necessary information, for example, a list of documents for the first working day, address and agenda of the first day and first week, etc. If not, be proactive, contact the HR and the manager and request this information. Also ask your manager what to read and how to get ready for work. Even if they cannot share some materials with you in advance, for example, because it is confidential, you will at least demonstrate your serious and responsible attitude. You yourself can read the description of the position once again, information about the company and its products, connect with future colleagues on LinkedIn, etc.
- Surely you will have many appointments, especially on the first week with your manager and with colleagues with whom you are going to work closely. However, this process is organized differently at different companies, so if it does not happen, do not rely on chance. Take control of the situation and schedule these introduction appointments. Moreover, it is important to have such calls not only on your first week. For example, you should have regular weekly meetings with your manager. You also need to build and maintain relationships with colleagues. Think also of a more extended team. Schedule meetings with colleagues from other functions and areas. Let people get to know you. The more people know you, the easier it will be to communicate with them when you really need their help in future. Now is a very good reason for such meetings, since you are new.
- As early as possible, you need to find out what your manager's success depends on. All your activities within the company should be in line with the goals of your manager and contribute to their success. You also need to know how the manager will measure your success. How do you know after 3 months that you have successfully completed a probationary period? How will your manager and your colleagues know this? This should be absolutely clear. You must know what to strive for.
- Write everything down. Usually everyone treats it with understanding, but in any case, let the colleagues with whom you communicate know that you will take notes in order not to ask them the same thing several times. Don't rely on your memory. At the beginning, a huge amount of new information will fall on you.
- Prepare a pitch about yourself. Many newcomers get confused when colleagues ask them to tell about themselves. Help yourself avoid embarrassment. Prepare different pitches ? for managers, for colleagues, an extended version, a short version, etc. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Do your best to look calm and confident.
- Ask a lot of questions. If you ask a lot of questions during your first month of work, even if they seem stupid, that's okay. On the contrary, if you have no questions, it looks suspicious. However, if you had no questions during the first three months, and then after six months you suddenly start asking something that you should have known for a long time, it makes a very bad impression. So relish the opportunity and ask questions.
- Study the company. You have to understand what the company wants to achieve and how it relates to your role, i.e. how can you help. Explore the company's products and customers. Think how you can improve products or processes, how you can influence customer relationships, etc.
- Study the culture of the company and the team. How they communicate, what can be discussed, what cannot, what relationships are between the team members.
- When you absorb as much information as possible, you will be able to understand what skills you may be lacking, what you need to learn and improve. For example, we have Teradata University and a specific list of trainings for newcomers but there are also hundreds of additional available training courses.
- After studying the company from the inside, you will understand how you can help. But be careful with your suggestions. Nobody likes newbies who have just joined and start giving advice on how and what to do. In order to avoid problems, it is better to discuss it with your manager and ask for their advice.
- After 2-3 months, you need to meet with your manager. The best way is to prepare a presentation and share your impressions. First, show your enthusiasm and communicate that you are positive and enjoy the company, culture, tasks, etc. Second, speak about the highlights ? what you think works well. Third, identify areas that can be improved and where your experience and skills can be useful. You should present with the utmost delicacy. Your observations may turn out to be incorrect, so be prepared to listen to feedback and adjust your actions. Or vice versa, your comments will be accurate and therefore unpleasant for the management and the team. I think it was Mark Twain who said that "The truth must be served like a coat, and not thrown in the face like a wet towel."
If you still do not like your new place of work, do not rush to leave it immediately. Try talking to your manager. It is possible that these shortcomings can be worked on and corrected, and that you can be the one who can help with this. In any case, be calm, positive and professional.
