How to Do Well in a New Job

We’ve all felt that roller coaster of emotion – you get the call with the job offer you’ve been waiting for. You’re elated! You’ve spent so much time and energy stressing through the application and interviewing process but that’s all over now!

But then, reality sets in. There are a lot of unknowns and decisions in your future. What will your boss be like? Will you fit in? Will you be able to perform at the level they expect? Will you make a positive first impression with key stakeholders?

As someone who recently started a new full time gig, I’m here to help you anticipate and tackle the common challenges you’ll face in the first month that can mean the difference between anxiety and overwhelm or success and confidence. 

Core job responsibilities and goals

Knowing exactly what you’re supposed to do and how that’s measured is important to know as soon as possible. Sometimes this is outlined explicitly for you on day one. Sometimes you need to ask a few questions or do a bit of research. But being able to identify two to three core objectives or goals that define success for your role will be critical as you decide how to spend your time and energy. Track your progress against these goals and meet with your manager at least once a month for the first three months to ensure you’re on the right track. 

Relationships

Knowing how to communicate and build relationships with others will determine how quickly you can add value back to the organization. I have three tips for you on this one: observe, observe, observe. 

This goes for both in person and virtual communication. In person, what are the interactions like when coworkers pass in the hallway? No eye contact? A brief “hello”? Or a more lengthy “Hey! How’s X going? Any plans for the weekend?”. The latter could be viewed as friendly in some offices and distracting in others.  

Understanding virtual communication norms is more important than ever in the now-common hybrid work environment. Do all emails start with a “Hi [name]” or are messages short and informal? For virtual meetings, are cameras on? Are the ancillary features used, such as chat, whiteboard and polls? How often do people unmute, both with and without prompting?

Research

The extent of research you do will vary based on your industry, role and experience, but some bit of research is always a key component to starting a new job. Make time to research the organization itself by clicking around its website and intranet (if there is one). You’ll be able to assess tone, culture, values, goals, structure and more by simply reviewing the content. 

You should also begin bookmarking your favorite association and knowledge websites. Again, these will vary by industry, but find resources that have webinars, blog posts, research papers, conferences and other expert-level content you can leverage to guide you through the first few months or as you tackle future challenges.  

New Hire Paperwork

Whether you’re switching careers or just starting your first full time job, the paperwork can be overwhelming. From the W4 to the Form I9 to insurance, there are a lot of choices to make and sometimes a very limited window to do so.

Fortunately, there are tools to make this process a bit more palatable. Check out the list below:

• W4 This federal tax form instructs how much your employer should withhold from each of your paycheck for federal tax purposes. To help you determine this number, the IRS has developed a tax withholding estimator. But be warned, it’s most useful when you have your most recent pay stub (and your spouse’s, if you file jointly), your most recent income tax return and documents for other sources of income readily available. 

• I9 This document serves as proof that you are legal to work in the United States. Your company will provide you three lists, titled List A, List B and List C. You have the option to bring in one document from List A or one document from each List B and List C. In addition to completing the form, they will make copies of the document(s) you provide. For more information about the documents and the form itself, visit I-9 Central.

• Benefits This is where the majority of your decision making will happen. Here are a few steps you can take to make the process more bearable:

• Identify who is paying for what. From retirement plan contributions to life insurance plans to health savings accounts, costs are often split between you and your employer. I have found running scenarios on both ends of the spectrum (minimum costs to me and maximum costs to me) the best way to determine my happy medium. For more information about selecting the best health insurance plan for you, take my Health Care: A Crash Course. 

• Know your dates. You aren’t always eligible for benefits on your first day of work. It can take up to 90 days for your full benefit package to kick in. This information is very important if you are abandoning coverage from another source (such as a spouse or parent’s health insurance) or have appointments currently scheduled. This will also impact your take home pay. If your benefits are delayed, your paycheck will decrease (perhaps significantly) from before and after your deductions begin. If you want to get an idea of how each deduction will impact your take home pay, I like this paycheck calculator from SmartAsset.com which can accommodate both salary and hourly rates. 

• Look for ways to save. Wellness incentives such as a biometrics screen to a signed affidavit to validate you don’t use tobacco products can either reduce your premiums or earn you “free” money for your health savings account. Many benefits packages also include discounts on everything from cell phone providers to gym memberships. And be sure to ask about reimbursement policies as well. For example, my employer offers reimbursement for my cell phones in lieu of providing one for me.

Starting a new job is stressful. From a new schedule to a new commute to new names and faces, there’s a lot to remember. Taking these steps will make that transition a quick and painless one and you’ll be on the path to personal and professional success in no time. 

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