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Got a new job? Here's to your first hundred days

barbara bates • Dec 07, 2020
Many people have lost jobs in 2020 due to the sudden impact of Covid 19, and may have to be very inventive and novel in what other work they may be able to do. It could be very different from what you've done so far. So it could be quite anxiety provoking as well as exciting, to have to start again at this time. Nevertheless, there are some good tips for making the best of this, and here's a few that can be helpful, 

First of all, relax and treat yourself. Acknowledge your success. You got the job!  Then it's time to get down to business and plan your campaign for your first hundred days.  

  • It helps to get very clear very fast on what you are actually supposed to be doing. Most good jobs will have a job description, so it's good to read, mark and inwardly digest this. And watch out for the catch all section which is often tucked in at the end and says something to the effect of 'any other tasks which may reasonably fall within this role'.

  • Know who your immediate line manager is, who will help with all the documentation you have to complete. A good employer will also arrange for regular supervision so you want to get that booked in, and remind them if they don't do it.

  • Take your induction period seriously and use it to find out all you can about the company and the people involved. What? There is no induction? And you accepted the post? You'll need to ask even more questions then. So you might get a notebook or something online like Trello and at the end of each day make a note of anything significant. Mostly this will be about the people involved.

  • When I say people I mean not only where they fit in the official hierarchy of who reports to who, but more importantly what the personal alliances and feuds are. Who likes who, who can't stand who, who tends to avoid certain people and so on. (Apologies for grammar there - I know it should be 'whom' but it doesn't sound right!) Soon you will be aware of where the real power and influence lies - and it's not always at the top. So observe, observe, observe!

  • Make sure you get enough rest and recreation while you are settling in. Starting a new job can be stressful, even if it's a great job and you really wanted it. I'm talking about stress in the sense of having to learn and process new routines and information - it does take up energy and makes extra demands on your reservices of attention  and you need to replenish it. 

  • Even if your manager does undertake supervision, it's a good idea to keep a reflective journal a few times a week and ask yourself - what went well? What can I be pleased about? What can I do better? What do I need in order to enable me to do better? How do I feel about this day, this week? Looking back over such a diary can be very illuminating, even surprising. And of course most professional jobs will expect you to keep a record of Continuing Professional Development, so this will kill two birds with one stone. 
And finally - congratulations on the new job! 
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