How do you hit the ground running during your first three months on the job? What’s the key to showing your value best? How do you develop relationships that will make you shine?

“A new job is like a blank book and you are the author.” — Unknown

If you have started a new job, you are wondering how to make sure you have a successful start.

You’re wondering how to increase your visibility and make sure you have a smooth onboarding experience.

5 critical things you must do during your first 90 days at a new job

Luckily, some simple yet powerful tips can help you hit the ground running in your new job.

Let’s examine five critical things you must do during your first 90 days at a new job.

1. Define what success looks like to you

You must define what success looks like to you in your new role.

What outcomes will you deliver in your first three months, six months, and first year?

Get feedback from your boss and your colleagues.

“Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do.” — Unknown

It would be helpful if you determined what success means to you. The definition of success varies from person to person. 

Success is personal. 

When you understand how you define success and how others do, you can define it for yourself.

All that matters is your definition of success. If you are happy and fulfilled, then you have found success.

Success can range from believing in something and not letting it go without a fight.

It can also refer to achieving a social status associated with wealth, prosperity, and fame.

Key takeaway

What is success, what does it mean to you, and how do you define it? Whatever your definition of success is, it’s usually about obtaining a positive outcome.

The Oxford dictionary says success is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.”

What’s your definition?

2. Build your personal brand

A personal brand is your combination of experience, skills, and personality. In other words, it’s how you promote yourself, tell your personal story, and act.

A personal brand is all about your values, beliefs, and attitudes.

“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” — Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder

Pick out three things you want others to know about you. Make sure you include those three items in every conversation.

This will help others see what you are all about. It will also show the value you bring to the team and the organization.

Whether you like it or not, and whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand. It’s the brand called you. 

Your reputation always precedes you, so make sure it is one others want to get to know you for.

Key takeaway

Be proactive about building your personal brand. Understand what people are saying about you and work hard to make sure you make a positive and powerful impact.

3. Develop strong relationships at all levels

Your first 90 days in a new job are critical for cultivating relationships at all levels of the organization.

You must get to know people who are more senior to you.

Also, connect with those at your level.

Finally, engage with those at a lower level than you.

You must show that you are the right person for the job. Take the time to get to know the people you will be working with daily.

Your first three months will set the foundation for balancing relationships and results.

Schedule 30-minute one-on-one meetings with key individuals you need to meet. Introducing yourself can go a long way to your success.

You must show your curiosity and a commitment to helping others succeed. People will appreciate your proactive approach and authenticity.

Key takeaway

It is beneficial to build strong, meaningful relationships with colleagues to succeed in any role.

Decide their preferred communication method and how they like to give and get feedback.

4. Find out the unwritten rules

Every culture has unwritten rules. You must understand them to achieve your goals. 

Every company has a way of getting things done that isn’t in the employee handbook.

The unwritten rules give valuable insights into the company culture and the dynamics of various groups.

You can hit a land mine if you don’t know how decisions get made and things get done.

Identify the formal and informal leaders across departments.

Get to know the organizational chart, but remember—traditional job titles don’t paint the full picture.

It would be helpful to find the unspoken rules. Understanding which rules will impact your role and your team’s success is also essential.

Key takeaway

Don’t initially disagree with these unwritten rules. Once you settle into your new role, you can start to influence the unwritten codes of conduct.

5. Set expectations

You must set the tone for what others expect from you and what you expect from others. 

For example, set expectations for how often communication should occur, in which forums, and how feedback should be provided.

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” — Alexander Pope, an English author

You, your supervisor, and your colleagues gain when expectations are set appropriately, because we all have expectations.

When they are not met, they lead to frustrations and misunderstandings. When expectations are not met, we react emotionally.

To become more emotionally intelligent in your new job, you must recognize your own and your colleagues’ expectations.

You must clearly communicate your expectations and discover what your colleagues and boss expect from you. Make sure to clarify any misunderstandings.

Key takeaway

To succeed in a new role, it is essential to understand the expectations that come with it clearly.

Don’t:

• Expect you’ll be heard in the way you want.
• Assume you’ll know what your colleagues want.
• Expect that others will behave similarly to you.

Bringing it all together

You must do five critical things during your first three months at a new job.

• Define what success looks like to you.
• Build your personal brand.
• Develop strong relationships at all levels.
• Discover the unwritten rules.
• Set clear expectations.

The first 90 days are crucial to your success at a new job. If you follow these tips, you’ll hit the ground running in a new role at your new company.

“I still get the jitters every time I start a new job! I love it — makes you feel alive.” — Camille Guaty, an American film and television actress

Don’t worry if you have passed the three-month mark, because you can still add value after passing that artificial deadline.

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