I got a new job! Oh god, now what!
April 30, 2012 3:46 PM Subscribe
New Job Filter- Starting a management position in a completely new field. Not expecting to receive a lot of industry training. How would you approach the position and your first few weeks on the job? Snowflakiness inside...
I have five years experience as a manager, and 13 years experience in my former industry. I recently applied for and accepted a job offer for a position in a completely new industry, still managing a team of people.
I've only worked for the company that I just left. I consider myself a competent manager, but have a lot of anxiety related to transferring those skills into a completely different industry. When I interviewed, I inquired if there would be any formal industry training, and the answer was that there wouldn't really be any.
What should my goals be in the new company, beyond learning the new position, jargon, etc.? Would you focus primarily on the hr aspects, and fill the other pieces as they come?
Also, what do you recommend for dealing with those employees potentially overlooked for promotion when I was brought in from outside?
I have five years experience as a manager, and 13 years experience in my former industry. I recently applied for and accepted a job offer for a position in a completely new industry, still managing a team of people.
I've only worked for the company that I just left. I consider myself a competent manager, but have a lot of anxiety related to transferring those skills into a completely different industry. When I interviewed, I inquired if there would be any formal industry training, and the answer was that there wouldn't really be any.
What should my goals be in the new company, beyond learning the new position, jargon, etc.? Would you focus primarily on the hr aspects, and fill the other pieces as they come?
Also, what do you recommend for dealing with those employees potentially overlooked for promotion when I was brought in from outside?
I think the most important thing to do is listen. Ask questions of everyone, no matter what their position, and find out as much as you can. There will be duties to fulfill, for sure, but the best thing anyone can do in a new industry is get as many perspectives as possible so that the very first impressions you have aren't set in stone before you know whether or not they're going to be useful for you.
posted by xingcat at 5:28 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by xingcat at 5:28 PM on April 30, 2012
Get feedback. Memorize the organizational chart. It might be a great showing for you to meet with everyone to relay your expectations and goals for the company and to let them know you'll want to meet with them individually to discuss expectations on both sides. It's always great to see a manager who acknowledges - openly - the two-sided nature of the relationship. Not just what the manager expects, but what the employees expect from the manager.
posted by hungry hippo at 8:34 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by hungry hippo at 8:34 PM on April 30, 2012
elmay: "do everything possible to immerse yourself in your new industry. You can start doing it right away. Google topics and read up."
xingcat: "I think the most important thing to do is listen. Ask questions of everyone, no matter what their position, and find out as much as you can."
These two things - the first before you start and the second as soon as you start. You don't need to be an expert in the industry to be a manager, but you do need some knowledge and, particularly, you need knowledge of what your team actually does, how they do it and what ideas they have for making improvements. Asking people one-on-one will get you that information and will also show each team member that you you acknowledge their contribution and respect their expertise. This will go a long way toward establishing you as a credible manager despite your apparent inexperience.
posted by dg at 9:26 PM on April 30, 2012
xingcat: "I think the most important thing to do is listen. Ask questions of everyone, no matter what their position, and find out as much as you can."
These two things - the first before you start and the second as soon as you start. You don't need to be an expert in the industry to be a manager, but you do need some knowledge and, particularly, you need knowledge of what your team actually does, how they do it and what ideas they have for making improvements. Asking people one-on-one will get you that information and will also show each team member that you you acknowledge their contribution and respect their expertise. This will go a long way toward establishing you as a credible manager despite your apparent inexperience.
posted by dg at 9:26 PM on April 30, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
I got a copy of The New Leader's 100 Day Action Plan and worked through many of the exercises. If I remember correctly, one of the topics addressed is how to handle employees who were (or thought they were) competition for the position you now hold.
One of the pieces of advice I would give you is to do everything possible to immerse yourself in your new industry. You can start doing it right away. Google topics and read up. Ask questions and do your homework. You won't be an industry expert within your first few weeks, but you show you care and that you're willing to roll up your sleeves.
posted by elmay at 4:46 PM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]