Starting a new role? Here’s how to start strong

“I just started a new role on a new team. What tips do you have that will help me succeed in my first 90 days on the job?” Pam Rosslee, People Director, South Africa, shares her expertise in this edition of “Dear HR.”

First off, congratulations on your new role! Any move like this — whether it’s a new position, a promotion or a stretch assignment — can be a great career boost and an opportunity to grow and thrive.

Naturally, you’ll want a few wins in your first 90 days on the job. They’ll help make a great initial impression and set you up for success, even beyond your new role. Here are a few tips that can help.

1. Understand the expectations of your new role 

Start on the right foot by getting a firm grasp on everything your manager and team expect from you. Hopefully, the interview process and conversations with your new manager provided an overview — but you can go a step further by taking time to make sure you understand your objectives for the first 90 days and beyond.

Book time with your manager within your first week and talk through what you need to deliver on in your new role. Go beyond the deliverables and ask your manager what success looks like for you over the long term.

Figure out what kind of performance ratings your company uses and ask your manager about the level and quality they expect. Decide where to set your personal bar for achievement in your first year and ensure that you’re crystal clear on your manager’s expectations.

2. Build intentional relationships

This is especially important in your first 90 days — and when it comes to your relationship with your manager. Being authentic and honest about your strengths and about where you crave development and support can help you make a genuine professional connection.

Get to know the people and teams you’ll be working with by investing time in understanding their world, priorities, challenges and ways of working. How often do they want to meet? How do they like to receive updates? What frustrations and challenges have they experienced in the past that you can help resolve?

Be careful not to overpromise during your first 90 days, which can be easy to do early on in a new role. We all want to make a good impression — but it’s better to spend time reflecting on what’s possible and impactful before committing to everything at once. Opt for a measured, deliberate and thoughtful approach over the urge to please. Doing so will help you build a solid reputation of trustworthiness and integrity.

3. Identify quick wins

Through conversations with team members, clients and your manager, identify some wins that you can start working toward in the short or medium term. Even early talks can help inform these initial goals: Think about simple, high impact wins that will deliver value for your internal team.

Be discerning about where to focus and how to secure those quick wins during your first 90 days. A strategic approach can help you gain credibility and trust with your manager, peers and stakeholder group.

4. Get involved, engaged and curious

 When starting a new role, I always find that it helps to immerse myself within the teams I support so I can truly understand their world in the first 90 days.

Get to know your new team members by asking questions and being curious — and remember that you can offer the benefit of a fresh perspective and can help spot opportunities as part of the team.

5. Be seen — not solo

Visibility is important in your first 90 days. When you’re starting a new role, it can be easy to start trying to solve problems on your own, circling back only after you have a solution in an attempt to prove yourself. But you should avoid the temptation to solve matters individually when you can choose to work with others.

Working with a team allows you to be more visible — and gives you the chance to ask for input and opinions from colleagues. This cultivates a deeper understanding of your team and shows them that you value their thoughts and expertise.

6. Create safe spaces for support and learning

I’m a firm believer that surrounding yourself with the right support and resources is key to a successful career. We all need support networks and safe spaces where we can discuss our challenges and opportunities.

This applies to your relationship with your manager, but I also suggest creating at least one other safe space with a mentor or a peer you trust. Use these spaces to talk through what you’re trying to solve, and test ideas and create solutions together.

7. Turn your internal critic into a coach

We all contend with our internal critic from time to time — and the first 90 days in a new role is no exception. I’ve found value in continually reshaping my internal critic into an internal coach.

Yielding to the critic can result in fear of failure, procrastination and the relentless pursuit of perfection. But when I reframe this internal dialogue as coaching, I’ve found it helps me regain control, cultivate self-compassion and bolster self-confidence.

Remember: You’ve made it this far in your career — and that’s something to be proud of!