Essential Dos and Don’ts for Your First 90 Days in a New Job

Starting a new job can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. The first 90 days of a new position are crucial as they lay the foundation for your future success. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive first impression, build key relationships, and demonstrate your value to the team and organization. However, navigating this initial phase requires a delicate balance of ambition, patience, and careful observation.

In this article, we will explore what you should do, and just as importantly, what you should avoid in the first 90 days of your new role. Whether you’re fresh out of university or transitioning to a new career path, following these expert guidelines can help you adapt, build trust, and set the stage for long-term success.

The First 90 Days: A Critical Period

Before diving into specific dos and don’ts, it’s essential to understand why the first 90 days in a job are so significant. According to numerous experts, this period is often referred to as a “probationary” or “transitional” phase. The actions and decisions you make in these early months will set the tone for your entire career with the company. You’re being assessed not just for your skills, but for your fit within the team and organizational culture. Therefore, it’s important to approach this period with thoughtfulness and strategic intent.

What to Do in the First 90 Days

1. Clarify Expectations Early

One of the first things you should do when starting a new job is to clarify expectations with your manager. Meet with your supervisor within the first week to gain a full understanding of your role, responsibilities, and performance goals. This meeting is crucial for setting a roadmap for your success.

Ask specific questions to ensure that you fully understand what’s expected of you. This includes:

Key performance indicators (KPIs): How will your performance be measured?
Short-term goals: What are the most critical tasks to accomplish in the first few months?
Long-term goals: What is the overall vision for your role and career development within the company?

Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) can be a powerful way to stay focused and organized in the early stages of your employment. Clarifying expectations upfront ensures that you and your manager are aligned, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and missed opportunities.

2. Build Relationships

Building relationships with your team members, other employees, and key stakeholders is a crucial part of succeeding in your new job. Early on, make an effort to introduce yourself to everyone you will be working with and learn about their roles within the organization. Take time to get to know your colleagues on a personal level, as well as professionally.

You can achieve this by:

Asking questions to learn about your coworkers’ experiences and expertise.
Listening actively to understand how people prefer to work and communicate.
Offering assistance where appropriate to show that you are a team player.

By building rapport and establishing trust early on, you can create a supportive network that will help you navigate challenges and contribute effectively to the team.

3. Learn the Culture

Understanding the culture of your new workplace is one of the most important things you can do in the first 90 days. The culture encompasses both visible (formal) aspects, such as company policies and procedures, and invisible (unspoken) aspects, like office politics, communication styles, and unwritten rules.

The cultural landscape of a company can often be more critical to your success than the job description itself. Here’s how to understand the workplace culture:

Observe how colleagues interact with one another, especially with senior leadership.
Note communication norms, such as the preferred channels for feedback (email, meetings, etc.).
Be mindful of the company’s values, whether they emphasize innovation, teamwork, or customer service.

Being culturally aware helps you avoid missteps that might isolate you from your colleagues or hinder your progress in the company.

4. Focus on Early Wins

In the early stages of your new job, it can be tempting to try to impress everyone by taking on ambitious projects. However, this can backfire if you overcommit yourself and end up underperforming. Instead, focus on a few key tasks that are within your capability and demonstrate quality work.

Early wins could include:

Completing small but impactful projects with attention to detail.
Solving problems that others may have overlooked.
Delivering on your promises with consistency.

When you focus on achieving early wins, you establish credibility and earn the trust of your manager and peers. Over time, these small victories will build a solid foundation for larger accomplishments.

5. Be Humble and Open-Minded

Starting a new job means entering a new environment with its own set of rules and expectations. As such, it’s important to remain humble and open-minded. Recognize that you have a lot to learn, even if you come in with years of experience or a strong background.

Being open to feedback is essential. Listen more than you speak, and avoid rushing to judgment or making changes too quickly. Take the time to understand the existing processes and systems before proposing improvements. By adopting a learning mindset, you will earn the respect of your colleagues and manager.

6. Set Boundaries

While it’s natural to go above and beyond in the beginning to prove your commitment, it’s equally important to set boundaries. Overworking yourself can lead to burnout and negatively impact your productivity in the long run. Establishing healthy work-life balance boundaries early on will help you stay energized and focused in the coming months.

To set boundaries effectively:

Communicate openly with your manager about workload expectations.
Prioritize tasks to avoid spreading yourself too thin.
Make time for personal activities to recharge.

Setting these boundaries helps you maintain your well-being and ensures sustainable success in your new role.

7. Schedule Check-ins

As you near the end of your first 90 days, it’s important to schedule a formal or informal check-in with your manager. This meeting gives you an opportunity to:

Discuss your progress and achievements.
Review feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Recalibrate your goals if necessary.

A check-in also demonstrates your commitment to growth and your willingness to improve. Use this time to reassess your performance and ensure that you’re on track to meet both short-term and long-term goals.

What Not to Do in the First 90 Days

1. Don’t Go in Without a Plan

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in the first 90 days is to start without a clear plan or goals. Entering the job without an understanding of what’s expected can lead to confusion and missed opportunities.

Make sure you:

Clarify your role and objectives early on.
Set achievable milestones to guide your progress.

A lack of planning can leave you feeling directionless and hinder your ability to make a meaningful impact.

2. Don’t Try to Prove Everything at Once

While it’s natural to want to prove your worth, overpromising and taking on too much in the early stages can be overwhelming. Trying to impress your manager and coworkers with grandiose gestures can backfire if you’re unable to deliver.

Focus on manageable tasks, and gradually increase your workload as you settle into your role. Quality matters more than quantity in these early days.

3. Don’t Ignore Office Culture

Failing to observe and understand the office culture is one of the most significant mistakes you can make. The office culture dictates how people work together, communicate, and resolve conflicts. Ignoring this can alienate you from your team.

Be observant, ask questions, and avoid stepping on toes when it comes to informal office rules.

4. Don’t Engage in Politics Early

Office politics can be complex and tricky to navigate. In your first 90 days, it’s important to avoid getting involved in political games or making critical judgments about colleagues or the company.

Instead, focus on:

Building relationships based on trust.
Observing how things work before getting involved.

By staying neutral, you avoid unnecessary complications that can distract you from your primary goal: doing your job well.

5. Don’t Rush to Change

Even if you spot areas for improvement or have ideas for change, resist the urge to implement them immediately. In the first 90 days, you should be focused on learning and gaining respect before suggesting changes.

When proposing changes, ensure that you:

Understand the full scope of the issue.
Have built the necessary credibility with your peers and manager.

Rushing to make changes can backfire if you’re not fully aware of the organization’s history or the reasons behind current practices.

Check also: How to Spot and Avoid Social Media Job Scams

The first 90 days of a new job are a defining period that can set the tone for your entire career with the company. By following the right strategies, such as clarifying expectations, building relationships, and learning the company culture, you can lay a solid foundation for future success.

Avoiding common mistakes, like rushing to prove yourself or engaging in office politics, will help you maintain your professionalism and focus during this critical phase. By embracing a balance of humility, patience, and adaptability, you position yourself for long-term success in your new role.