How to Survive Your First 60 Days in Your New Role

With the help of your recruitment agency, you have finally found the role of your dreams. Now, all you need to do is prove to your new manager that they made the right decision by bringing you on board.  

During the first couple of months, employers and team leaders are looking for validation that they have chosen the right person for the role. This is your time to shine, by demonstrating the right skills, attitudes, and habits for the position you have taken.  

With all eyes on you, the first 60 days in a new business can be nerve-wracking. The good news is that with a little bit of preparation and planning, you will be ready to inspire and impress.   

Step 1: Start by Knowing What’s Expected  

It is hard to give your manager the hire they are looking for if you do not understand what they need from you. Your recruitment company will have helped you to find a role that’s well-suited to your background and skills, and the job description will have covered the primary expectations of the position. However, it is essential to make sure you know all the details if you want to stand out. 

For instance, a description for a lead infrastructure engineer might describe the tools you will need to use each day, and how you will be expected to manage networking strategies. However, it will be up to you to find out how your manager wants you to work with your team, what kind of software they would prefer you to use, and whether there are any security principles you need to put in place. From the onboarding process onwards, ask questions like: 

• What are my manager’s priorities? 
• What does your department need to deliver? 
• What are your goals for the first three months? 
• How will your team leader evaluate your work? 
• How do you need to communicate about projects and concerns? 

The more information you get about your role from day one, the easier it will be to meet expectations.  

Step 2: Making Connections  

When you start working in a new company, it is essential to immerse yourself in that culture as quickly as possible. The faster you begin to build connections with your peers, the easier it will be to embed yourself into the business as part of a high-performing team.  

Ask who you will be collaborating with on a day-to-day basis, and how you should be communicating with them. Do you have weekly meetings? Is there a piece of software you can use for instant messaging, or will your conversations be face-to-face?  

With a little luck, your recruitment agency will have directed you towards an employer with a culture that matches your attitude and outlook. However, it is worth making extra effort to fit in and get to know your team during the first few months. Invite people out for coffee after work, connect on LinkedIn, and catch up regularly.  

Step 3: Focus on Constant Growth  

Once you understand what you are expected to do in your role, and you know who you will be achieving your goals with, it is time to start building on your existing value. Managers offer jobs to hires that have not only the right skills and personality characteristics – but also the right potential for development in the future.  

If you want to impress your employer, look for ways to develop both your technical skills and your soft talents too. For instance, as an IT manager, you might explore opportunities to hone your skills in the cloud or explore new software. However, at the same time, remember to pay attention to things like communication skills and teamwork.  

Take advantage of any training opportunities your new leader has to offer and regularly audit your CV to find any gaps that might be holding you back in your new role. Something as simple as working on your sales skills can be enough to turn you from a good employee into a great one. 

Step 4: Demonstrate the Right Habits  

Finally, we all develop different professional habits over time. As you progress in your new role, you will find that the way you work changes to suit company culture and managerial expectations. Often, moving into a different position can mean making a significant shift. Habits that served you well in the past might not work in your new company, and there may be different practices you will need to embrace.  

The more you learn about your new work environment, the easier it will be to adapt your working strategies, but to begin with, remember to: 

• Always show professionalism in everything you do 
• Embrace productivity and banish procrastination 
• Stay calm and avoid overwhelm 
• Own up to your mistakes and learn from them 
• Be punctual 

Look at the way your coworkers perform on behalf of the business and listen to the needs of your manager. This will help you to determine which habits you need to leave behind you, and which you need to hone.