Starting fresh in a new role is simultaneously exciting and overwhelming. It’s a new chapter in your career and you’ll want to take advantage of these early days to guarantee your success. While you adjust to your new workplace, there are a few steps you can take to set yourself up for a rewarding career.
Make a Solid Plan the Night Before
Prepare yourself for success by organizing everything the night before your first day. Choose a professional outfit, plan your commute, and set your alarm to allow extra time in the morning. Being punctual is essential, so a buffer helps you tackle unexpected delays like traffic.
Review any documents or instructions sent ahead of time. These materials often include key information about your first day and can help you feel prepared and confident.

Introduce Yourself to People In the Office
In all likelihood, your supervisor will walk you around the office and introduce you to the team. When meeting everyone, make a mental note of their name and their role. If you struggle to remember names, repeat it during the conversation and try to create an association between their name and something about them.
Prepare a brief introduction about yourself, highlighting your background and new role. This helps you make a good first impression and establishes you as part of the team.
If no formal introductions are arranged, take the initiative to introduce yourself. Building relationships is the cornerstone of a productive workplace. Go the extra mile by inviting coworkers for coffee or lunch to get to know them better.
Ask Questions to Learn More
Don’t hesitate to ask questions, especially when tackling unfamiliar tasks. Doing so shows you’re eager to learn and committed to getting things right.
Questions also open up opportunities to connect with colleagues and accelerate your learning curve. Remember, asking is better than making mistakes by diving in unprepared.

Learn the Common Tools at Your Job
During your onboarding, your manager will likely share some key tools that the organization uses. Whenever you have spare time at work, seek out training programs to familiarize yourself with the tools. This will give you a strong foundation of knowledge and give you a leg up when you start on your first few projects.
Keep a Work Journal and Take Notes
Your first few weeks will be packed with new information on your work expectations, projects, organizational goals, and more. This information is important to take note of. By keeping a work journal, you’ll have a repository of key information that you can look back on whenever needed.
Let this journal be your dumping ground for everything. You can include things like key takeaways from your meetings, recommendations from coworkers, and instructions on how to use work programs. A work journal keeps you accountable and helps you be prepared for anything.

Set 30-60-90 day goals for yourself
Once you’ve settled into your job and understand the expectations for your role, set some goals for yourself. Having measurable goals will keep you on track and help you succeed in your first few months. They don’t have to be big or complex, but having concrete plans will guide your work. After your first 90 days continue to set goals for yourself on a quarterly basis to maintain momentum and track your growth.
Ask for Feedback
If you don’t already have regular meetings on the calendar with your manager, reach out and ask if you can book some time with them in your first few months. These conversations will be key in verifying that your work is aligned with the goals and expectations of the organization. By taking initiative and asking for feedback, you can make adjustments and excel in your role.
These meetings also offer the opportunity to connect with your manager and put you top of mind when it comes to exciting projects.

Applying these tips during your first few weeks can have a lasting impact on your success. With hard work and dedication, you’re sure to thrive. Best of luck in your new role, you’ve got this!