New Job? Here’s How to Exceed Expectations in the First 90 Days
Cole Conrad
Believe it or not, many organizations do not have a mandatory 90-day review policy in place for new hires. However, regardless of your industry and your role, there is still a learning curve in those first 90 days. You’ll want to ensure that you are starting off on the right foot and setting yourself up for long-term success with the company. And we have a few key ways to help you do so:
- Know the Unwritten Rules
- Gather Data
- Establish Success for your Role
You’re the newbie. Don’t walk in like you own the place. And don’t be quick to share too much personal information about yourself or relish in the gossip of someone else that you don’t really know. Every office has its own culture, and it’s important to learn that culture before you say or do something that may be difficult to take back later. Even if it seems innocuous to you, it could change how people perceive you.
You should be a sponge with fresh eyes and ears in these first 90 days. What information are you learning about your new job and about the people you work with? What processes are important to your role, and how are you expected to use the technology that is important to your success? What are other important data points for you to know? Is eating fish for lunch at your desk really annoying to your coworkers? Be mindful and soak in everything that you can.
No matter your position, there are KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for every role. What are your KPIs? What does success look like for you or your manager? If your manager doesn’t set exact milestones for your position, set your own and mutually agree to them. In the first 90 days, you want to reach X goal or new sales, or you don’t want to exceed Y goal of errors. Create your own milestones if you have to, then share with your manager after your first 90 days and open up the discussion for how you can improve.
Even if your new organization doesn’t seem concerned about a 90-day review, it’s important to hold yourself accountable to that review, even if it’s just for yourself. You have a lot to learn and adjust to within a new organization, like learning the intricacies of your new job and balancing the core values of your team members. In order to reach your long-term career goals, it’s crucial that you continue to push yourself to be better. Your new organization—and your future self—will thank you for it.
