What comes after you get the job? How do you set yourself up for success in your new career?
Getting a new job is not the end of the journey; it's merely the beginning. Yes it closes the chapter on your job search, which if you've experienced a long or difficult job search, can come with such relief that everything is going to be easier and better now you've got this job.
But really the hard work is just starting. Now, you've got to prove yourself in this new job. Everything you promised during the interview(s) – every impact, every skill, every strength – must now be translated into action. This is where the real test begins.
There's many reasons why getting off to a good start is important. For many of us, a new position comes with a probationary period, so the importance of high performance from the beginning carries important consequences, namely our future at that employer. Psychological research has proven the existence of the "primacy-recency effect", meaning people are more likely to remember their first and last impressions. Your initial interactions and performance in a new job can have a lasting impact on how you're perceived by your colleagues and supervisors. Lastly, one of my favourite mantras is that "you can't build anything bigger than it's foundation". The groundwork you lay during the early stages of your new role will shape your success in the long run. For example, if you don't speak up and ask questions early on to understand your new role, as time progresses, you might find yourself misunderstanding expectations or making mistakes, but feeling like the time has passed to ask clarifying questions.
During my 15+ year corporate career, I had multiple new jobs, as I moved countries, companies and specialisation. These experiences led me to develop, and perfect, a career toolkit I used when I began any new job. This set of tools and tactics meant I never failed a probation, led me to receive multiple "exceeds expectations" performance reviews, and had me earmarked as a top talent at the companies I worked for.
Let me share seven proven strategies I've use in the past to set myself up for success in a new job:
Embrace Feedback: Don’t put yourself in a position to be blindsided when on probation. Actively seek feedback, clarify expectations & ask questions to propel your growth.
Am I where I need to be?
Am I meeting expectations (KPIs, manager expectations, training plan etc).
It's natural to feel apprehensive about seeking feedback, especially during probation. Here it's a case of "Choose Your Hard" - it's going to feel much harder if you end up failing your probation, or have it extended, then to ask for more clarity now from your supervisor on how you are doing. By proactively seeking clarity and feedback from your supervisor, you demonstrate initiative and a commitment to your growth and success in your new role.
Chart your Course with a 30-60-90 day plan: Establish a roadmap for success with clear milestones at 30, 60, and 90 days. Share this plan with your manager, use it during 1-1s, and employ it as a personal checklist to gauge your progress.
Just like your tenured colleagues will have set goals post performance reviews, at the start of the year or as part of their professional development, a 30-60-90 day document gives you the same goal setting opportunity as a new newbie! Establish clear goals i.e. specific, achievable goals for yourself within the first 3 months of your new role. These goals need to align with your job responsibilities, team objectives, and organizational priorities. By defining clear objectives early on, you can focus your efforts and measure your progress effectively.
Having structure and clarity like this, at a time of uncertainty, as you navigate a new job, can feel really empowering and confidence building.
You can also include personal goals and social aspects of your new role, like determining the optimal time for your commute to the office, or listing 5-10 colleagues you want to have a coffee with during this time.
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
3. Build Your Success Bank: Combat imposter syndrome by keeping a folder of your accomplishments in a "Success Bank". Document wins, save screenshots of positive feedback, and track completed trainings.This visual reminder of your accomplishments will bolster your confidence and reinforce your value.
In practical terms, your Success Bank can take various forms, such as a digital folder on a computer or cloud storage platform, a physical journal or notebook, or even a dedicated section in a planner or organizer.
You can use your Success Bank to good effect in various contexts, such as performance evaluations, job interviews, salary negotiations, or simply for personal reflection and motivation.
Getting into the habit of documenting your wins from the very start of a new job is crucial. Not only does it benefit you in your current role, but also sets you up for success in future career moves. Not keeping good records will cause you difficulties during future job hunts. You'll lack the precise numbers and detailed accounts of your achievements, making it more challenging to effectively present yourself during job interviews and position yourself for success.
Drawing on my own experience, keeping a success bank is something I've done from my very first corporate job out of college, so I have YEARS of records of my impact! I use it to add colour and context and showcase results in my CV, LinkedIn Profile and while interviewing. I can stand confidently over these details and numbers because I have the written records to back them up.
4. Use positive affirmations: I wrote a whole blog post about this previously. Let me share the context behind when and why I wrote this specific blog post. Looking back now, I've realised that I am naturally a confident person. I think it's a combination of being able to see the infinite potential in the world, coupled with knowing that I am smart (but don't know it all) and hard working. But confidence isn't infallible, just like if you don't use it the muscle will atrophy (which is when imposter syndrome can kick in), at other times, it can take a beating from outside forces, and be ground down.
I wrote that blog post as I navigated a new job in a superstar company, who clearly wanted me as they had headhunted me, and came into this very inclusive, competitive and talented company. However I'd just left what I later realised was a very toxic relationship with my previous role, and I was hurting and healing, all while trying to navigate this new beginning. It was the closest I've ever got to imposter syndrome as everyone at my new company was so talented, but my confidence was so low.
The affirmations I talk about in that blog post helped me immeasurably, and worked: I successfully passed my probation at that new company, went on to top global metrics leaderboards, be nominated for Manager of the Year, and get an "exceeds expectations" performance review rating in that uber talented environment.
The only thing I would add to what I have written previously, is to add the word BECAUSE after your affirmation. This helps you to give your subconscious mind the evidence it needs to rewire the negative thought loops you have going on in your head.
"I am exactly where I need to be"
becomes
"I am exactly where I need to be BECAUSE I have hit all my performance expectations for the month"
(Check out my podcast episode with Thais Gibson of the Personal Development School, where we discuss this (timestamp: 17.10). (Jump straight to this part our conversation here).
5. Count your daily wins: Start by writing down your top three wins every day. By consciously taking stock of our wins daily, we combat our tendency to undervalue our accomplishments.
It's important to celebrate our victories, no matter how small they may seem.
Example :
Went to the gym before work for the first time!
Got a positive shoutout from Paul in our team call this morning
Finished the last of the training videos
Our brain is wired for negativity, it's looking for the threats, so you need to wire it to look for the successes, look for the wins as well. That will really help you embody more confidence.
Why is writing them down important? Putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) solidifies your wins in a tangible way. It's easy to think positive thoughts fleetingly, but when you write them down, you're making a concrete record of your successes. This act of recording reinforces the significance of your accomplishments, imprinting them more deeply in your mind.
Why do we do it daily? Daily reflection allows you to consistently track your progress. It's a way of cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement. By making it a daily habit, you're ensuring that you stay attuned to your successes, no matter how small. Additionally, it serves as a daily reminder of your capabilities, boosting your confidence and motivation.
Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
6. Networking: A lot of why we enjoy our jobs is because of the people we work with. When we step into a new role, we're often met with unfamiliar office dynamics, unspoken rules, and the labyrinth of office politics. So cultivating allies within the company, who can guide you with their insider knowledge, is going to be beneficial to you. Even more so if making friends at work is a priority for you, as you'll be keen to seek meaningful connection.
A lot of people cringe at the term "networking" but I suggest to keep it simple. Ask a colleague to have a coffee with you, whether this is a short 15 minute virtual coffee, or walking to a local coffee with a colleague when you are on site.
(But what about those who don't drink coffee? Suggest alternatives such as tea or hot chocolate. The goal remains the same: creating a casual setting for conversation and connection.)
During these coffee (or tea) breaks, take the opportunity to learn more about your colleague. Ask about their role within the company, how long they've been with the organisation, and if they have any insights or advice for navigating this workplace as a newcomer. You could gently ask about some non-work topics to help forge a deeper connection, such as sharing weekend plans, discussing hobbies, or swapping book recommendations. (Note not everyone wants to discuss personal topics at work, so it's important to respect those boundaries. Gauge the reactions of your colleague and adjust your approach accordingly).
Essentially, these informal networking conversations lay the foundation for building rapport and trust with your new colleagues.
7. Use the Support of a Career Coach: Many individuals seek out career coaching with me when they're changing jobs, careers, or something challenging is happening in their career. However, partnering with a career coach can provide invaluable support and guidance at any time of change, such as helping you ensure a smooth and successful onboarding process at a new job.
Moreover, working with a career coach during your probation period demonstrates proactive initiative and commitment to your professional development. It sends a clear message to your employer that you're invested in your success and willing to take proactive steps to excel in your role.
Engaging with a career coach is not just about overcoming obstacles; it's about unlocking your full potential and creating a fulfilling and rewarding career .
If you want to ensure a seamless transition into your new role, I invite you to reach out and explore how my customised 1-1 career coaching can help you.
Book a Free 30 Minute Discovery Call now!
Hi, I'm Heather, a career coach & mentor on a mission to help women globally discover their true career potential.
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