How to Onboard Successfully In A New Company – Sojoourn

You have spent weeks and months searching for that shiny, new job, and did everything in your knowledge to help you get hired. And now, you received the long-awaited news: you are finally in! You will start your onboarding process in a few days, and you feel stressed, which is fine!

Here are a few tips to help you achieve a successful start in the company without being so hard on yourself!

1. Be Curious!

While on your rounds of interviews, you probably took the time to research on the company, its history, or its products and services. Before your first day, take the time to review that information again to help you remember important details. You will be able to ask precise questions that will show your willingness to adapt to your new role and company. There might be a lot of implicit information about how the team and the enterprise works that were not directly told to you so you will have to dig in and discover it! That means you have to observe your workplace, the work culture, and processes for unwritten rules. Most of all, don't be shy and if something is not clear, go and ask someone about it. Your new colleagues will appreciate your proactivity, and they will be most likely glad to help you!

2. Get to Know Your New Colleagues

Before starting with the company, do not hesitate to ask your manager about what your first days will be like and if you have a moment to introduce yourself to all your colleagues -after all, you are joining a team! Human interaction is a significant factor in your onboarding process, and you will have to pay attention to it.

You can ask if there is a team lunch or post-work drinks planned during your first week. This is a great way to connect with your colleagues in a more personal and relaxed approach, which will help you adjust in your new position.

3. Settle Some Objectives with Your Manager

While starting on your new job, it is essential to outline the goals you have to reach with your manager or with the person who hired you. It is recommended to set those targets by a simple process of asking yourself and your manager questions like "What do I want to be able to do by the end of my first week? First month? After three months?" Once you have your answers, make sure that these answers are SMART:

Specific: target a particular area for improvement

Measurable: set indicators of progress

Achievable: is your objective realistic?

Relevant: is the objective connected with the scope of my tasks?

Time-bound: settle a timeline when the results can be achieved

Doing this exercise will help you focus on what is expected from your performance, and it will help you not to get lost and not knowing what you have to do. More importantly, it is an excellent indicator for you and your manager to see your progression throughout time.

Following these simple tips to help you accustom better and faster to your new job, and it will allow you to feel if there is a fit between you and the organization.

Are you curious about how to crack the French recruitment culture and want to level up your job-hunting? Sojoourn invites you to subscribe to the career pack!