How to Manage Your First Month at a New Job



Starting a new job can be very exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking to know what to expect in the first month in your new role. Keep in mind that everyone experiences their first month at work differently, so your experience may not mirror that of others who have held similar positions before you. To give you some insight into what it’s like to start out at a new job, here are some thoughts below.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Don’t be shy about asking questions or admitting you don’t know how something works. Everyone has been in your position, and it’s likely that your boss or other people in your office would be happy to help you out if they can. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if someone isn’t clear about what they need from you, either—being specific up front should prevent miscommunication. A tip? Get organized before your first day by writing down a few basic questions or topics you want to cover with your manager during orientation. Being prepared will make everyone feel more comfortable on day one!

Get involved with Projects

The trick to becoming valuable in your new role is… to be valuable! This means that you should look for ways that you can contribute beyond just doing your job. The easiest way to do that is by getting involved with projects, which give you an opportunity to demonstrate not only your hard skills but also soft skills like communication and teamwork.

It’s important that you choose projects that match your expertise, but don’t worry if you aren’t sure how to make yourself useful. Start by talking with your boss about what’s happening in your company, and see if there are any projects they think would be better served by someone with your background. If not, reach out to teammates and other leaders within the organization. Offer to help them on their current projects or come up with ways you can contribute outside of your responsibilities.

Know What’s Expected of You

After you’ve been hired, it’s always a good idea to speak with your boss or team leader again about the job in detail and your responsibilities. Don’t rely on past experience or just your written role description for what you will do in your new role. Having clarity early in what is expected helps you feel confident in what your outcomes need to be.

It’s also helpful if other team members explain their roles in relation to yours. When meeting with team members, don’t be afraid to ask them what they expect of you either. It can be uncomfortable asking questions in front of your boss or other employees, but it is essential that you gain their trust and respect from day one.

Make sure you know how you will report to your boss and where in your company hierarchy you fit in. Are there other levels of management involved in your job responsibilities? This information may seem obvious, but if it isn’t communicated up front, it can cause confusion later on.

Be yourself

No matter how much preparation you’ve done, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed on your first day. But keep in mind, most companies won’t expect you to know everything about their company or industry right away. You should certainly get yourself up-to-speed quickly, but there are other ways to make a great impression. Show them that you care by listening carefully and asking questions.

And remember, everyone was once new too! If you make a genuine effort, do your work, and make connections with your team members, that is the perfect place to start.

“To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself up and move on.” Dave Pelzer