4 tips for your first 90 days in a new job
Starting a new job brings excitement – and its fair share of nerves. After all the applications, interviews and waiting, you’re about to embark on a new phase in your career. While your new employer should have a structured onboarding process to get you settled in, there are things you can also do in your first 90 days to set yourself up for a smooth start.
Why the first three months are important
An employee’s first 90 days are crucial. They shape a person’s overall performance, longevity and contribution to a company, says Leanne Lazarus, Recruitment Manager at people2people. Done well, this period sets them up for success – but unfortunately that’s not always the case.
“When asked about their first 90 days, many new employees describe the experience as overwhelming: information overload, meeting countless people, navigating company culture and facing extremes in training or support,” says Lazarus. “Some feel they received too much guidance, others not enough.”
Ownership is key, she says. Your success isn’t just up to the employer; employees also need to take an active role in their own onboarding. It works best when both sides work proactively together.
How to structure your first 90 days at a new job
The first few months should be a gradual introduction to the job, organisation and team. “There's generally not an expectation that you'll hit the ground running from your first day,” says Leah Lambart, Career Coach and Director of Relaunch Me.
Instead, think of this time in three distinct phases. Here’s what Lambart says you’ll typically focus on in each:
- Month one: Focus on listening, learning and building trust with your manager, team and broader organisation. Understand the team’s culture and vision, as well as expectations for the job, including KPIs and objectives. Set up intro meetings with your team and key people to find out how they prefer to work together.
- Month two: This is when your workload will likely ramp up. Continue growing relationships and regularly check in with your manager to make sure you’re on the right track. This avoids surprises when you get to the end of your probationary period (usually three or six months) – it’s best to address potential issues early on.
- Month three: By now, you should feel more confident. Work towards completing objectives to create a good impression and collaborate with your team and manager to bridge any knowledge gaps in skills or processes.
Remember, it can take three to six months to feel part of an organisation (especially a big one) and even longer to fully settle into a job, says Lambart. The early months are just the beginning.
Here’s what can help you proactively approach the first 90 days to set yourself up for a smooth transition into a new role.
1. Plan before your first day
Do a little bit of planning beforehand, so you’re prepared on day one, says Lambart. Make sure you have all the information you need for your first day (like address, start time and contact details) and do some research to refresh yourself about the company.
It might even help to check in with your new manager and ask if there are any skills or tools to explore beforehand to feel more confident, says Lambart, especially if it’s been a while since you last changed jobs.
2. Speak up and ask questions
Don’t be afraid of asking questions or requesting extra training if you’re unsure about something in your new role. “Many new employees hesitate to ask questions or seek support, but staying silent often creates the assumption that you know exactly what you’re doing even if you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed,” says Lazarus.
Waiting too long to speak up can make it much harder to go back and clarify or start over. Asking early and often is key to setting yourself up for success.
3. Be kind to yourself – and look after your wellbeing
Starting a new job is a steep learning curve. Often people find they have a headache at the end of the day from taking in so much information, says Lambart. Be kind to yourself during this time.
Looking after your wellbeing is important, so you don’t end up getting burnt out. Get plenty of rest, move your body and avoid feeling like you have to do it all – you might not be up to socialising after a busy day of onboarding.
4. Check in with yourself
Regularly check in with yourself and how you’re feeling in the role. This helps identify any gaps in your onboarding as well as how the job is going overall. If you’re having issues or uncertainties, raise them early.
If the role feels very different from what was described during interviews or you notice a misalignment of values, you need to speak up, says Lambart.
“Raise concerns from a point of curiosity, rather than complaining, and explain how you’re feeling,” she says. “Sometimes you just need a bit of time but ideally have these conversations early rather than getting to a point where everything falls apart.”
Your first 90 days are an exciting chance to learn and settle into a new role. Be proactive, ask questions, and don’t forget to be patient with yourself – it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed at the start! This is just the beginning of your new journey.
