How to Nail a First Impression
So you have a new job. First and foremost, congratulations—it’s not easy out there as hiring slows. If you found the job search challenging, it is—which makes the advice I am sharing even more important.
In my last column, we talked all about the job search—a behemoth task that can feel like a high-stakes roller coaster ride. In this column, I want to follow up on that “new job” joy and talk about her often-overlooked sister: onboarding. Oftentimes we are so excited (or exhausted) by the job search, we forget to think about what happens after we get the job. And by “we,” I mean both new employee and employer.
The time spent getting to know your team, peers, manager, new company/industry/function is absolutely critical to your success. And just like a business plan, onboarding plans require thoughtful planning and support. Your initial communication and engagement set the tone for how your new teammates perceive you. What you say, what you do, even who you meet with first are all under review by those around you. Missteps take but a few minutes to make and many months to correct. Careful onboarding is a chance for you to partner with your new team or new company in creating great first impressions.
In my 20-plus years in HR, I have spent many hours, sometimes days, working on onboarding plans for individuals or processes for teams. Onboarding plans give employers the chance to be clear on individual expectations and priorities. They take the guesswork out of ensuring new employees or leaders get the information that’s most important for everyone’s success.
Onboarding plans also allow companies to continue to “show the love” to new hires they have worked hard to recruit; recruiting shouldn’t stop when someone accepts the job. Accelerating their transition to your company or team creates a faster path to achieving the goals you hired them to accomplish. So, my very first piece of advice is to companies: Make sure you have an onboarding strategy that is owned by a member of the team.
Let’s look at some of the missteps that can happen at the start of a new gig and how onboarding can help mitigate or avoid those challenges.
Misstep: Assuming your new boss knows your career objectives or why you took the job.
Solution: Set your leadership vision. If you have read anything I have written, you can likely guess what I am going to say first. Ready? First step is YOU. Get clear on your expectations and professional goals. Where are you in your career, and how does that impact you in this role? What are your expectations of yourself? What do you hope to gain from this role (i.e., learn a new skill, get promoted, prepare for retirement)? Know your “why” and share it with your boss.
Misstep: Moving forward with your plan for success without engaging your new boss.
Solution: Understand the business. Make sure you understand what success looks like from the perspective of your manager. Meet with your new boss to learn about the business, key team priorities, and what success looks like in your role. Gather more insights about the culture and informal decision-makers. Determine how often you and the boss will connect, especially in the first few months. Knowing what matters to them can help you better understand the choices they make.
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Misstep: Focusing only on your immediate team.
Solution: Engage with your peers and key stakeholders. Peers throughout the company can play a critical role in your ability to enjoy work and get things done. They also know some of the informal rules of the road, and you’ll want to know what those are so you don’t stick your foot in it! Meet with peers and any key stakeholders within the first few weeks of your new job.
Misstep: Having an onboarding plan “in your head.”
Solution: Write it all down! Maybe it’s just me, but I do better when I put my plan on paper (or Google Sheets). It gives me a chance to see the big picture and share it with others for input and suggestions. Put together a schedule by week or by day and set goals for yourself. Write down the questions you want to ask and then determine who best to ask, remembering that you can ask several people the same question.
Happy new job, and may your first few weeks and months be magic!
