The first 30 days... how to get off to the best start in a new job

The first 30 days in a new job are crucial.

You are being assessed on whether or not you are a good fit for the job and, depending on your role, it is often expected that you will hit the ground running in terms of implementing change and driving improved processes or results.

To ensure you impress when you start a new role, there are some essential points to plan the first 30 days in your new role.

‘The first 30 days in a new role are crucial in gaining an initial understanding of how the company operates, how your role fits in with this – and, importantly, if you feel you have made the right move,’ says Lee Owen, senior business director at Hays Accountancy & Finance.

‘However, you must remember that it is not only up to your new employer to provide you with a positive, powerful and effective starting point.’

Make the most of your introductions

In your first week or so you are likely to be introduced to a number of key colleagues across the business. These introductions may only be a few minutes long, so make sure you spend some time getting to know them and their role afterwards.

One tip is to start with the people working closest with you, and then expand on this. The more people you know, the easier it is to be able to offer or ask for help, which will ultimately help you settle into your new job.

If you are set up with more formal inductions with staff members make sure you prepare by finding out who they are and what their role entails. During the induction you can ask them for advice and suggestions, especially about who else you should spend time with in your first few weeks.

Ask questions

It is natural to feel nervous in your first few weeks and worry about asking too many questions – however, it is in everyone’s best interest that you are fully up-to-speed on how things are done as soon as possible.

It may be that you have made the move from a fairly small accountancy practice to a larger one and, as a result, many processes are likely to be different with a lot more people involved. One thing to be aware of is to make sure your questions are positively phrased and information seeking in their nature.

Embrace change

It is very easy when starting a new job to criticise practices that you are not used to. Instead, try to bring solutions rather than criticism. Adapt yourself to your new team’s way of doing things instead of expecting them to adjust to yours.

Stop and reflect

After a month or so in your new job it is a good idea to pause for reflection to see if you have really hit the ground running or not.

Ask yourself if you know everything you need to know at this stage? Could you be doing more to integrate with your team? What key knowledge have you taken from your old job to this position?

Making sure you are able to self-reflect on your own performance so far will ensure you are constantly improving and achieving your goals in your new job.

This article was first published in Student Accountant