Congratulations! You’ve accepted a new job, but now what do you do?

Getting through the first few months in a new job post-graduation can be exciting but also can present some challenges. Check out the tips below for successfully navigating this new and exciting opportunity and environment.

Prepare for your new position

REFLECT on your values and goals

As you prepare to step into your new position, reflect on why you want this job and what you hope to accomplish.

  • What drew your attention when you first read the job description? What excited you about the position or the organization?

  • What were some key takeaways from the interview?

  • Why do you think the employer decided you were a good fit for the job and organization?

  • What do you hope to gain from this role? Are there experiences you want to have or specific technical skills you want to learn? 

REVIEW information about the job

You can start preparing for your role before your first day. Reviewing what you know about the organization and role will get you in the mindset of your new position and set you up for success.

  • Refresh your memory on the information you shared during the interview

  • Review the research and information you have for the organization by exploring their website, surveying current news about the company, and exploring their social media accounts.

  • Review the company bios or LinkedIn profiles of your future colleagues.

COMMUNICATe before you start

After accepting your offer, keep lines of communication open. Before starting, it’s a good practice to reach out to your manager or Human Resources to ensure that you are prepared for your first day. You can reach out about your start date and time, the dress code, the company culture, and any other questions you may have.

Create your work plan

SET GOALS 

Take time to define your expectations for what you want to accomplish for the first few weeks or months. Coordinate with your manager on both the short term and long term expectations for you. It’s ideal to write down your goals so that you can remind yourself of them as you spend more time in the position and adapt them as needed.

Being in the workplace will be different from your recent academic experience.  Your day to day time investment, frequency of receiving feedback, and overall experience will differ. Some organizations may have a formal orientation to help adjust you to the workplace while other employers may do this in a more informal way. 

For most positions, across industries the typical time commitment is 40 hours per week. But this can and in many cases will vary from industry to industry. 

PLAN logistics

Because you are acclimating to your new job, planning logistics will save time and energy. Plan out what your commute will be and how much time it will take. Coordinate with your manager when you will take lunch. Also plan for how your new work will impact other aspects of your life, such as creating a budget and building time for your personal priorities.

Learn your work

observe the team and company

As you are learning your new position, learn about the details of your work, your colleages, and the company culture.

  • Observe who is doing what and why. Gain a better understanding of the role of other people and other teams. Think about where your role fits in.

  • Take note of how meetings are run. Consider how you would prepare for them and how to get the most out of them.

  • Think about which projects you may be expected to work on.

  • Assess the opportunities to build relationships with your coworkers

Ask questions and take initiative

As you observe your new team and company, ask questions on anything you would like to learn more about. Your manager and coworkers are resources. Figuring things out on your own does help you gain a better understanding of how things work, but if you are unsure, feel free to ask. 

Take initiative with your work even as you are learning. Collaborate with your supervisor on how often you will meet to check-in and strategize. Ask about how you will receive feedback and the frequency. During your meetings with your supervisor and colleagues, ask about any ongoing projects you can help with.

Navigate the workplace

tips for succeeding in the workplace

As you become fully immersed in your new job and work environment, keep these in mind:

  • Maintaining Professionalism: Expectations around professionalism may differ across industries. Across the board, being respectful to your colleagues and being prompt for work and meetings are to be expected. If you have questions, reach out to your manager for clarity. 

  • Communication: Be open to learning and adapting when communicating in the workplace. Identify the ways in which your colleagues prefer to communicate. Some colleagues or teams may prefer email, messaging, or meetings. Being adaptable in your communication will ensure that you can get the information and support you need to learn and grow in your new position.

  • Managing Up: Subtly help or teach your supervisor how to best manage you. Learn to anticipate your managers’ needs and prepare to meet them. Be open to supporting your manager and the company’s vision, while also developing a way to disagree in a respectful and productive way when necessary. When disagreeing, aim to come up with solutions and provide value. Ultimately, the best path to a healthy relationship with your manager is to do your job and do it well.

  • Going Above and Beyond: Look for ways to add value beyond your job description. Participate in and volunteer for projects outside your job description. This can help you be seen as a team player and potential leader. Being adaptable and collaborative will allow you to meet more people, build relationships, and integrate successfully. Remember to check in with your manager first and be sure that your work is being completed appropriately.

additional workplace guidance

  • Managing Your Time: Avoid using free time to do non-work related things. Instead, get started on another project, think of new ideas for your work, or ask others if they need support in their work. Manage your calendar so that you will be on time for work and meetings and can respond to messages and calls in a timely manner.

  • Building Relationships: Avoid isolating yourself. Communicate with your manager, team, and colleagues when appropriate to keep everyone updated on your work. Show interest in others’ work and think of ways your work can intersect.

  • Requesting and Receiving Feedback: Avoid continuously asking for feedback outside of preset times determined between you and your manager. Conversely, do not avoid seeking feedback for fear of possible criticism. Keep a running list of questions so that you can capture your ideas and save them for an appropriate time and setting. 

  • Manage Your Expectations: Try to have realistic expectations. A full time job will not necessarily be like an internship and definitely will not be like school. Many internships are geared specifically towards learning and engagement, whereas a job will expect you to be a contributing member of a team. Rather than react against unfamiliar expectations, allow yourself to adjust to the new environment and experience. 

  • Facing Challenges: Confront challenges at work directly and seek support in navigating them. Rather than avoiding challenges, adopt a positive, can-do attitude and seek solutions.

Good luck with your new job!