Advice on making a good start at a new job?

June 20, 2023 11:59 AM

As mentioned in a recent post, I started a new job 2 days ago. It's in a completely new sector and a new role, so I'm anxious to make a good impression. Not to mention, rents are increasing and it's a well paid and promising role in terms of progression.

I've actually struggled these first couple of days as it's been a while since I've started a job in which I'm learning everything from scratch.

I've largely worked in entry level accounts payable positions in multiple charities and I have now moved to a medium sized insurance company in the City. The role is in FP&A and Treasury, I've never done Treasury before.

If anyone has any specific tips on the role and any resources to learn the principles, please do advise.

The training has started and I'm feeling a bit scared as I'm going to have to rise to the challenge of becoming competent in these areas in my 3 month probation period.

I'm planning to brush up on everything I've been taught every evening and write down any questions I may have. I will need to ask all the stupid questions possible and be honest when I don't understand.

Is there any other things you think I could be doing to a)make a good impression and b) quell the fear and formulate a plan to succeed in the role?

posted by Sunflower88 to Work & Money (8 answers total)

What helped me a lot in the first month or two at new jobs is asking my boss who all the stakeholders are I should meet with and set up 1:1 intros with each of them. Some weeks I did nothing but meet with people and learn their needs, expectations, how we will work together, etc. it’s helped tremendously in building relationships at the new org rather than waiting until someone’s name pops up or I’m invited to a meeting with people I haven’t met yet. Good luck!
posted by ttyn at 12:03 PM on June 20, 2023 [11 favorites]

rents are increasing and it's a well paid and promising role in terms of progression

Respectfully, it would help you to make a good impression if you just got rid of thoughts like this. Rent and promotions have nothing to do with your performance in the first couple months of your job; they're mere distractions. The previous commenter has already given you some good advice, and you're likely to receive more in future comments. Listen to that, rather than planning for some other hypothetical job in the future.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:18 PM on June 20, 2023 [3 favorites]

Figure out a problem your boss has and become an expert on the topic within the organization.
posted by bitter_rabbit at 12:20 PM on June 20, 2023 [6 favorites]

Be friendly to everyone and build 1:1 relationships with them. When people feel more socially connected, they will also be much more forgiving of any errors you make as you learn.

Invite people to come for a coffee run / Ask if anyone wants anything when you go on a snack run.

Send quick emails thanking others after they're extra helpful to you. "Hey Debra, I just wanted to say, I really appreciated your taking the extra time to show me how the copier works today! Super kind of you and I know you're busy, so I just wanted to say thanks! :) Sunflower"

Praise their their hard work: "Hi Sandy, That presentation you gave today was so informative - thanks for making the shipping process changes so clear and for making it so engaging to listen to! :) Sunflower"

Smile a lot. Laugh at people's jokes.

Make friendly short comments about things people put work and choice into, such as, "I like your desk decoration!" or "Those are cool shoes!" - Note, Don't comment on their bodies or general appearance (for example, a comment like "that dress looks great on you" or "you have great style" could be verging on too personal, and should prob be avoided. Better to stick to only mentioning a standout specific choice like an unusual hat or red shoes, etc).

On Fridays, ask people "Whatcha up to this weekend" and then on Monday refer back to it, "Hey how was your concert?".

Learn people's names. Privately confirm how they pronounce them if the names are new to you. "Hey I wanted to make sure I say your name right, could you say it for me?"

If people have young children or pets or hobby vehicles etc, and they show you photos, comment on the cuteness or coolness.

Congrats on the new role, and good luck!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:58 PM on June 20, 2023 [9 favorites]

I learned only one thing from watching a colleague arrive at a new job, years ago:

Bring donuts.
posted by zadcat at 1:20 PM on June 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

Ask A Manager's advice
posted by purplesludge at 2:38 PM on June 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

It's really hard, as an anxious person, not to bring your anxiety into all aspects of your life, including your professional life. And then of course there's the, "OMG am I being too anxious? Oh no! Am I worrying too much, or maybe I'm not worrying enough!" spiral which, once your brain latches on to it, is really hard to shake. So I just want to say, I can relate!

ttyn's advice is so great, and I wish someone told me that when I was earlier on in my career! I would go one step further and, if you're a visual person, try to map a high-level process flow chart of who's doing what, what information is passed along from person to person, and where do you fit in that picture. That way you have a concrete idea who you're dependent on, and who's dependent on you. These are the key people you need to really "get" in the first few weeks.

Big picture suggestions:

Understand what your company does at a high level. If it's a mega-corp like an Apple or Google or something, at least understand it at a level that is two to three above where you sit in the organization. Who are the leaders there, what are they saying about strategy, what programs and initiatives are important to them?
• Figure out where you and your team fits in the grand scheme of things. Are you supposed to find ways to help the company make more money? Drive efficiencies (save money)? Compliance and avoidance of costly lawsuits? Keep the lights on like payroll? etc.

Combine the two above and you will be able to answer the following questions:

1. What is my team's (and therefore my specific position's) value to the company? (If this is hard to answer, try: If I or my team don't do our jobs, what's the worst thing that could happen, and why should that be avoided?)
2. How can I make my boss (and boss's boss, and boss's boss's boss) look good / make their lives easier?

Check your answers with your boss and teammates. Do they agree? Whenever you get anxious thoughts like, "Am I doing the right thing?" or "Am I doing the thing wrong?" just ask yourself if whatever you're doing is moving you closer to the above goals, or further away. This is a good gut check, without having to constantly ask your boss for reassurance about how you're doing.

On a practical level, I like to hear new hires asking questions like:

• What are the things that I should be doing daily/weekly/monthly?
• What are some common errors / what checks should I be doing as part of my routine?
• Who's the expert on this specific topic?
• (Once you're further along in your training)Where in my work do I have the freedom to make judgment calls, vs. where should I ask for advice/approval each time (because a wrong judgment call might be catastrophically bad)?
• I wanted to learn about X, and I consulted A and B materials/people. I have further questions on Y, what/whom do you suggest I consult next? (You do your own research without prompting, AND you recognize you might not know all the best resources yet.)
• I have to solve X problem. I am thinking of doing A, B, C (describe your plan). Can you give me some feedback, is this the right approach? (Shows your development from "What should I do?" to "Here's what I would do.")

posted by tinydancer at 4:07 PM on June 20, 2023 [5 favorites]

As much as possible, stay off your phone the first few months. There is little as irritating to me as when I'm working hard to on-board a new employee and find them playing games or doing social media during work hours. You would think I wouldn't have to say this and yet ....

Overall, you sound fine to me. From what you've said, they hired you based on perceived aptitude to learn the field rather than experience in the specifics. Focus on justifying their trust that you can learn the content rather than worrying what you don't know.

I personally love it when my juniors check in. Unless your boss is hostile, don't be afraid to ask every month or so if you're on-track and if not what they'd like you to adjust.

How can I make my boss (and boss's boss, and boss's boss's boss) look good / make their lives easier?

Very much this. At your level, you probably don't have to be thinking terms of your grandboss's success right now, but always be aware of what the KPIs (key performance indicator) for your immediate management are and make sure that your work is aligned to them.
posted by Candleman at 8:55 PM on June 20, 2023