Anna Mitchell is part of the Talent Sourcing team for Head Office and Commercial teams. She has written previous blog posts on Updating your LinkedIn Profile: How to get noticed, which you can read here. In this post Anna gives advice on how you can make the most of those important early days once you start a new position.

So, you’ve secured a new role and now it’s time to plan how to approach this next chapter of your career. Below, we’ll cover a few tips and tricks that will help you get off to a good start and feel prepared from day one.

Be proactive

Demonstrate an enthusiasm and willingness to learn by being open-minded to new challenges. Add value where possible by drawing on your relevant skills and experience. For example, if you observe a process that could be improved, share your views in a constructive way by offering up a possible solution.

Ask Questions

There is always a learning curve when starting any new role. Make sure to ask questions to reinforce your learning of systems and processes; this is also a great way to demonstrate you’re getting the hang of things. Don’t be afraid to take notes on anything you may need to come back to in the future.

Build relationships

Where possible, spend time with your team members, both individually and collectively. This will help to build confidence in going to the right people for support too. A good way to do this is by introducing yourself and your new position to people you meet.

Learn the business

Finding purpose in our day-to-day work might seem a little cliché, but it’s essential to understand how your specific role adds value to recognise how your input is meaningful. This in turn should help motivate you and inspire long-term job satisfaction, so it’s a win-win!

Communication is key

Your line manager and team should help you settle into your new role. If there’s something you don’t understand, make sure to ask for help. Honesty and good communication will show your line manager that they can rely on you to take responsibility for your work and your own learning.

Ask for feedback

Getting feedback (both positive and constructive) is hugely beneficial for progression. If you make a mistake, go through this with your line manager on where/how you went wrong, and this should help mitigate similar mistakes in future. Taking note of specific feedback on your work is a fantastic tool for personal development.

Set realistic expectations

Having a clear goal provides focus and direction. Setting daily and weekly goals is a great way to work towards what we want to achieve. Think of your learning as an organic process. You probably won’t know everything on day one, so be realistic when managing your expectations. Allow yourself a reasonable amount of time to get tasks done and ensure they’re done properly and to the best of your ability.

Reflect regularly

Regular 1:1s with your manager are an ideal opportunity to discuss short and long-term plans. These will help keep you on track. Seeing the bigger picture is good but remember to celebrate small wins too. A good example of growth via progress is if you have managed a process from start to finish independently, whereas previously you only managed the process in part.

Hopefully the above offers some useful guidance on things to consider when starting a new role. Having an effective plan of action when starting a new role is a tool that cannot be overstated. Your first few weeks are your opportunity to make a positive, lasting impression, so do it well!