Congrats on the new job! Out are the days of stressful interviews and in are the days of working a new gig.
While you may feel a sense of relief after securing the role, you may also feel anxious. Intrusive thoughts forcing you to reevaluate if this was the right move or if you’ve made a huge career mistake are totally normal. The buyer’s remorse extravaganza happens. You shouldn’t make the new job harder than it must be. There’s always going to be a readjustment period, but there are mistakes you should (at least try to) avoid.
Not clarifying expectations
The biggest mistake you can make is not asking questions. No one expects you to know everything on day one. It’s far better to ask the questions before you really get in the trenches. Requesting clarification lets your team know that you’re eager to learn and you’re confident enough to ask for help when needed.
Especially for jobs where you’re tasked with making huge changes, they may advertise that you need to hit the “ground running”— but that shouldn’t equate to making impulse decisions. You can only improve the system if you’re aware of the outdated strategies that are currently implemented. Don’t ignore the input of the team you’re joining.
Ignoring the culture
Part of the reason why you were probably hired is that the hiring manager viewed you as a culture fit. In fact, some jobs hire people exclusively because they are a good personality fit.
Maybe that’s not the best reason to hire someone… but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the workplace culture. If there are opportunities to get involved, go for it. Go to happy hours, have touch-base meetings with direct reports, and go to the work anniversary parties. Impact begins when you can participate as a team player.
Taking on too much, too fast
In short, don’t bite off more than you can chew. The first 90-days are going to set the tone for your entire time at this company. It’s tempting to attempt to impress everyone with your skillset but it may not be the most realistic for the long haul.
Not taking notes
Don’t forget to write things down. The first day, week, or month of a job will be information overload time. It’s better to ask the questions now than later. Note-taking will save you from memorizing everything and takes the pressure off you. Fun fact: Studies show that people remember things better when they’re handwritten verses typed.
In the end, there’s always going to be a readjustment period, but avoiding these mistakes will be worth it in the long run.