I’ve started 7 new jobs in my career. Here are 7 things I wish I knew each time: 👉 1. Forget about all of this Game-of-Thrones-stakeholder mapping stuff. Talk with as many people as you can. Internal, external, senior, not-so-senior, new-hire or long timer. 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨. 👉 2. Read The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. It taught me how to understand others based on their background and context. And never to make assumptions about anything. As a good friend says: 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙬-𝙪𝙥𝙨. 👉 3. There will be this annoying voice in our head - ‘You’re gonna fail, is it 𝘕𝘖𝘞 that you’re gonna be found out’. When this happens, read your offer letter aloud. You got it for a reason. 𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚. 👉 4. Ask questions and listen. Just listen. I know this voice in our head tells us we SHOULD add value from the outset. But no one really ever does that. If they try, 8 out of 10 times they screw up. 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮 ‘𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝’? 👉 5. Have a plan, not about HOW but WHAT you want to achieve. ‘Strategy is just a sense of direction around which you can improvise ‘ (Peter Drucker). Knowing the WHAT grounds you, shows others the direction, even if the HOW needs to change at some point. 𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙠, 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙘, 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙠𝙞𝙣. 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣. 👉 6. Treat the ‘powerful’ people like the humans they are. They have a different title but want the same things as us. Being heard, having an impact and working for a greater purpose. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 👉 7. Bring your freshness of thinking, your ideas. That’s the best way to help yourself and the team you joined. It may bring them some anxiety, but they hired you for that. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙨, 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮. What are some other tips you would give others for starting a new job?
Tips for Starting a New Job
Explore top LinkedIn content from expert professionals.
Summary
Starting a new job means stepping into unfamiliar territory, where your previous experience may not be fully recognized and you must establish yourself all over again. The process involves learning company culture, building relationships, and figuring out your role while managing the uncertainty that comes with new beginnings.
- Connect intentionally: Reach out to colleagues across departments, schedule casual meetups, and focus on understanding how people work together.
- Listen and learn: Spend your early days observing meetings, asking questions, and documenting how things get done to pick up the company’s unique work style.
- Clarify expectations: Ask your manager what success looks like in your first months and make sure you understand your goals and responsibilities from day one.
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Landing a new job is exciting—but it’s also a reset. For my clients stepping into new roles, it often means meeting new people, navigating a new culture, and establishing their brand all over again. Even if you were a rock star in your last organization, your new colleagues don’t know that. And what made you shine before may not fully align with your new responsibilities. So, how can you make the right impression and set yourself up for success? 1. Listen first, speak second. Take time to understand the culture, key priorities, and dynamics before offering bold solutions. Observing and asking thoughtful questions shows respect and builds trust. 2. Clarify expectations early. Don’t assume your role is exactly as outlined in the job description. Ask your manager what success looks like in the first 90 days, six months, and beyond. 3. Build relationships strategically. Identify key stakeholders and connect with them early. Show curiosity about their work and ask how you can support their goals. Strong alliances are built on mutual understanding and trust. 4. Show, don’t just tell. Actions speak louder than résumés. Start delivering small wins that demonstrate your value. Over time, your reputation will grow naturally. 5. Adapt and evolve. Be open to learning new ways of working and adjusting your style. Flexibility signals that you’re not just bringing old habits but are ready to contribute in new ways. Starting a new role is a unique opportunity to reinvent and reintroduce yourself. What’s the first impression you want to leave? How do you ensure you get off on the right foot in a new job?
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Advice on how to be most impactful when joining a new company/team. 𝗧𝗟𝗗𝗥: maximize your output/noise ratio from day 1. I've hired hundreds of people in my career and there's a clear pattern for those who successfully land and grow in a new company/team/org. 1) 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, not talking. Before offering opinions or suggestions, deeply understand the company, the problems being solved, what everyone is working on, the culture. Research, read, listen. Make sure everything you do creates minimum interruption and maximum value. Submit a PR on your first day. 2) 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁, 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲. Make decisions with data. Identify problems and solve them. No one likes people who only bring problems. If you see something broken, fix it without anyone needing to notice. 3) 𝗕𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆. You almost never need to claim credit for anything. Let the results speak for themselves. Always empower others. 4) 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽, 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Have an idea for solving a problem? Great, go do it and come back with results + data. No one wants to work with a random idea generator. 5) 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. Ask for constructive criticism on how you can do better. Adopt a mindset of continuous learning. Thank people who give you hard truths. 6) 𝗕𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿. If you commit to a deadline, treat it as sacred. Do whatever it takes to deliver. 7) 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼. Understand your strengths and the company's gaps, then fill them proactively. 8) 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Ask yourself every week: what did I ship? How can I ship more next week? 9) 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆. Don't rely on others to teach you or do things for you. Figure it out. 10) 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲. Just solve problems. 11) 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁. Learn how to work with anyone. 12) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. Not everything needs to be "fixed" just because it's different from your last company. 13) 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆. Different companies value different communication styles, meeting cultures, and decision-making processes. 14) 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀. Especially early on, share progress and raise flags early. 15) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Find ways to make everyone else more effective. Share your learnings. 16) 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄. Don't burn energy with excessive back-and-forth. Be honest and set expectations correctly from the start. What would you add to this list? What's worked for you when joining a new team? #CareerAdvice
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Reset – Restart – Repeat! Starting afresh in a new organisation is hard. Even harder when you've got years of experience behind you. The strands of credibility you carefully built in your last job? Poof — gone. The confident, dependable you that everyone once relied on? In the new setup, you're a stranger. And frankly, no one cares — yet. I've done this dance five or six times now, across roles, levels, and cultures. Somewhere along the way, I built what I call my corporate muscle to reset, restart, and repeat. But let me be honest — it’s never smooth. The first hit always lands on the ego. Vanity follows. There’s no “flex” in the early days — just quiet humility, a zipped mouth, and the patience to let your strengths show rather than tell. The upside? You build an immunity — to systems, structures, and surprises. You learn to decode ambiguity. You build muscles in navigating messiness. And most importantly, you keep adding tools to your corporate survival kit. 💡 A few tips if you're starting over: 1. Map the organisation. Know the people before you figure out the process. Understanding who does what (roughly) is half the job. 2. Ask questions — lots of them. Not to impress. To understand. Control isn't about having answers — it’s about knowing which questions matter. 3. Get to know the operating teams. The movers and doers. My best lessons as a PM came from customer service, ops, tech, and data teams. These allies become your ecosystem — and your secret sauce. 4. Offer help. Let people experience your best side before they hear your CV. Going a little out of your way early on? Often remembered. Always respected. 5. Let your work speak first. Buy yourself settling time. Let the system see what you bring to the table before you start rearranging the cutlery. 🚫 And what not to do: 1. Don’t wear fear on your sleeve. It's okay to be unsure. Just carry quiet confidence. 2. Don’t lead with what you lack. Lead with your ability to figure it out. 3. Don’t get discouraged too quickly. Not everything will go your way. That’s not failure. That’s onboarding in disguise. Every reset builds resilience. Every restart expands your range. Every repeat strengthens your foundation. And somewhere in the middle of it all — You quietly reinvent yourself. One reset at a time. 💼✨ #Leadershipmusings #dailywriting
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On Monday, I had my first day at LinkedIn, and I felt some butterflies—the kind that signal you’re stepping into something new, exciting, and a little unknown. 48 hours in, I wanted to share 3 reflections that might resonate with anyone navigating the start of a new job or role. 3 Takeaways for Starting a New Role 1. Get Crystal Clear on the Why, the How, and the What Pay attention to how the company presents its Why (Vision), How (Values), and What (Operations). Words matter—at least they should. Listen closely to how long-tenured employees describe the mission and how the business model supports it. When conversations lean toward abstract concepts, seek to remove ambiguity by asking for concrete examples. (For instance, if someone says, “We want to earn trust,” and it's ambiguous about what that actually means, ask what that looks like in practice at this company.). You should walk away with a good feel for why the company exists, some concrete examples of what the standard is around a small set of values and – no matter your role – you should understand the company’s business model. Why does this matter? Because at its core, a company is defined by what its people do and how they do it—a company is not its office space or logo or the award it just won – those are outputs or decisions. It’s easy to get distracted from the core foundations, don’t miss the opportunity to get clear and concrete on them in your first few days. 2. Start Building Relationships Early The best work happens when relationships are built on trust and an assumption of good intent. I approach my work believing that my teammates are smart and are coming from a positive place, and I hope that to be reciprocated. This foundation creates the space to engage in honest debate, healthy conflict, and meaningful resolutions. But trust isn’t automatic. Build it by asking questions, finding common ground, and showing some vulnerability. During onboarding, go beyond your immediate team and connect across functions. Be curious and ask for advice—it’s a simple way to learn something, and demonstrate that you value others’ expertise. Vulnerability builds trust and opens the door to authentic connections, which will set the stage for real discussions that get to the heart of the matter. 3. Share Genuine Thanks Many people likely played a role in helping you get here. Before the daily grind takes over, take a moment to express gratitude—to family, friends, mentors, or even folks you met during the interview process. Pro tip: Keep this practice going beyond your first weeks. On my first day at LinkedIn, I observed how many people—security, IT, cleaning staff—work, often behind the scenes, to make sure my teammates and I can do our jobs better. Recognize their contributions. It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of different parts of an organization. How do you approach the first days in a new role? Share your thoughts and tips below—I’d love to hear them!
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Job seekers: Start your new role by making deposits, not withdrawals. I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about trust and credibility. Years ago, a mentor of mine, Shaun Bradley, shared a simple but powerful truth: relationships are built on deposits - the things we do that build trust, demonstrate care, and show alignment. The more deposits we make, the more relationship capital we have to draw on when challenges arise. This is especially important when you start a new job. In your first six months, focus on building trust. Invest your time and energy into your role, your teammates, and your reputation. This not only enhances your trajectory in the organization but also insulates you when mistakes inevitably happen. And when they do, the trust you’ve built can be the difference between a mistake being seen as an anomaly or as a trend. Remember, you can’t control everything. But you can control how you invest your energy. And the best investment you can make is in building trust and credibility from day one.
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Just Started a New Job? Here’s What I Wish I Knew in My First 90 Days! The first 90 days in a new job feel like a mix of excitement, imposter syndrome, and trying not to mess up. 😅 I’ve been there—fresh out of BBA, stepping into the corporate world as a Research Analyst. And trust me, I learned the hard way that how you start can set the tone for your entire career. Here’s the New Joiner’s 90-Day Checklist that actually works (not just vague advice like “work hard”): 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒: 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍 & 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄 📌 Understand expectations from Day 1. ✔️ Ask your manager: “What does success look like in my first three months?” ✔️ Find out your short-term & long-term goals in the role. 📌 Get the lay of the land. ✔️ Who does what? Who should you reach out to for what? ✔️ Listen more than you speak in meetings—it helps you pick up the company’s work style. 📌 Make friends early. ✔️ Don’t just talk to your team—network across departments. ✔️ Schedule casual coffee chats (virtual or in person) to understand how people work. 📌 Get clarity on tools & processes. ✔️ Every company has its own way of working—learn the systems, software, and shortcuts. ✔️ Don’t wait for someone to teach you everything—ask and explore. 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟑𝟏-𝟔𝟎: 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 📌 Take ownership of small wins. ✔️ Don’t wait to be told what to do—be proactive! ✔️ If you see something that could be done better, suggest improvements. 📌 Build your personal brand within the company. ✔️ Volunteer for projects that align with your strengths. ✔️ Share useful insights in meetings—don’t sit silently. 📌 Start giving value, not just taking notes. ✔️ Offer solutions instead of just pointing out problems. ✔️ Share ideas—even if they’re small, they get noticed. 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟔𝟏-𝟗𝟎: 𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 📌 Find a mentor. ✔️ Look for someone senior who can guide you and help navigate challenges. ✔️ Ask for feedback—people who grow fast take feedback well. 📌 Master time management. ✔️ By now, you’ll have more work—prioritize wisely. ✔️ Not everything is urgent. Learn to push back if needed. 📌 Showcase your impact. ✔️ Keep track of what you’ve worked on—it’ll help during performance reviews. ✔️ Ask your manager: “How can I bring more value?” 𝗬𝗼𝘂��� 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝟵𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 🔹 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 🔹 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆. 🔹 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻. #NewJob #CareerTips #First90Days #CorporateLife
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I spent 2 years fixing a bad first impression. In my next job, I got it right. Here’s how you can too: ⭐ When you're starting a new role, small actions can make big waves. Here are 15 subtle habits to nail the first impression in a new job: 1/ Master the "Introduction” ↳ Stand up, make eye contact and give a firm handshake with a genuine smile. 2/ You "Lean-In and Listen" ↳ Tilt head slightly, lean forward 2 inches when others speak - it signals full attention. 3/ Connect the "Idea Dots" ↳ Connect others' contributions: "Building on Tom's point from earlier..." 4/ Use the "Credit Cascade" ↳ Always mention who helped: "Thanks to Sarah's analysis, we found..." 5/ Deploy the "Meeting Master" ↳ Take clear notes, send concise summaries within 2 hours. 6/ Perfect the "Personal Connection Bridge" ↳ Note one personal detail they share, reference it naturally in a later conversation. 7/ Demonstrate the "Triple Nod" ↳ Three slow nods when someone makes an important point - shows a deep understanding. 8/ Master the "Professional Polish" ↳ Dress one level sharper than expected for your role. 9/ Share the "Friday Wins" ↳ Send a Friday email with 5 key learnings/wins from the week. 10/ Practice the "Power Pause" ↳ Wait 2 seconds before responding to show true listening, not just waiting to speak. 11/ Practice the "Prep Loop" ↳ Record yourself practicing presentations, adjust based on playback. 12/ Maintain the "Equal Respect Rule" ↳ Treat the intern and CEO with the same level of attentiveness. 13/ Practice the "Follow-Through" ↳ Note upcoming events people mention, check in after: "How did your presentation go?" 14/ Create an "Anchor Moment" ↳ Share one detail/information to establish common ground and reliability. 15/ Perfect the "Name Weave" ↳ Use their name once in greeting, once in conversation, once in goodbye. Great first impressions don’t happen by accident. They're your choice. Choose wisely. P.S. What’s your top tip to create an unforgettable first impression? — ♻ Repost this to help your network nail their first impressions. ➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.
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Starting a new job is a balancing act. You need to listen and learn, but you also need to start making an impact. So, how do you do both? 1/ Find the right balance between listening and acting You don’t have to prove yourself on day one, but you do need to start building relationships. Talk to people whether it’s in the corridor, the elevator, or at the coffee machine. Understand what your boss expects, what your colleagues care about, and how you can contribute. It’s about learning as much as you can while also showing where you can add value. 2/ Know what you bring to the table Your impact isn’t just about your job title - it’s about three things: 👇 - Connections with potential clients or partners. - Experience and knowledge that can help solve problems. - Unique skills, which you can combine with what you learn in those first 90 days to start making a real impact. 3/ Finally be ready for unexpected opportunities On my first day at Roland Berger, I was invited almost by accident to a client lunch. This client had been tough to engage for months. I approached the conversation differently, and that one lunch uncovered a key issue that led to a multi-million-dollar contract benefiting both the partner and myself. 🤝 Opportunities often come when you least expect them. Being open, curious, and willing to take action can make all the difference.
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I have been leading teams and mentoring professionals for over 15 years now (ugh, that makes me feel old...) I often get asked for advice for young (or not-so-young) professionals starting a new job in #global #health. ✴ One of the most frequent suggestions I make is to take time to OBSERVE, LISTEN and UNDERSTAND. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for hitting the ground running and jumping in with new ideas and creative suggestions (and those who know me, know one of my own faults is having too many ideas!), but the feasibility and impact of implementing new projects and ideas, depends on a good understanding of the professional, technical and even political context. Especially in large organizations such as World Health Organization, it pays off to understand and observe existing procedures and projects and soak in colleagues' experience. ⚖ For me, it's all about the balance between learning from existing work and colleagues, and bringing in new perspective and new ideas. ❓ What are your tips for starting a new job?