You got the job….YOU GOT THE JOB! Now what?!

You’ve used your network to get the job. Maybe there’s a little bit of imposter syndrome creeping in, but you slam the door in its face. You’ve called, slacked, and texted everyone your thank you's, and excitedly shared the new job with friends and family. The new gig starts in a week. So now what? Where do you begin? Planning doesn’t mean a 30,60,90 day thesis. It means setting yourself up for learning and efficiency. It means meeting your new teammates 1:1, and asking more questions than you're comfortable with. Let’s lay out a plan for the week before and week after your start date.

As in my previous newsletter, The Pre-Interview Checklist, Mindset stays number one. Don’t lose your confidence. You got the job, you can do the job. There’s a reason you were chosen, you have the missing puzzle piece they are looking for. Keep your thoughts in check.

The Week Before Your First Day

Set yourself up for success

This week is about preparation for the new job, new schedule, and new daily routine. Even if you have no idea what your day to day will look like yet, begin prepping your space for your new normal. Treat this week like the week before a big competition. You’re running checks on all systems, internally (within yourself), and externally (your work space and daily flow). You're going to be practicing maneuvers, running drills, and acting as if the competition has already started.

1. Prepare your work space

Get new supplies and equip yourself with things you know you’ll need for success. If you haven’t thought about what you need to be successful, STOP READING NOW, and make the list. Seriously, clean out the clutter you’ve kept from your last job that has accumulated during the job search. You’ll need a fresh space for your best work.

2. Learn about the industry

I don’t care if you’ve been in it for 30 years, there is something new out there that you don’t know. Find it. You did your initial research for your interview, now dig in and learn the history of the industry. What trends have been seen? What is everyone saying about it? Follow other companies in the industry. Learn from everyone in it with you.

3. Ask your supervisor for your schedule and any materials you could have ahead of time

Just ask. Self-advocate. They could give you a folder with all the training materials you’ll be working with. If they can’t, don’t worry about it, you showed initiative by asking.

4. Connect with your new team and others in the company on LinkedIn

You’ve already looked at company and leadership posts to learn about the culture before your interview. Now go connect with everyone and say hello! Let them know how excited you are to be there. It will give your team time to “meet” you via your LinkedIn content before your first day.

The Week After Your First Day

YORO “You Only Ramp Once”It will take time for you to be successful in your new role, don’t rush it.

You only get to onboard and ramp-up  once. Don’t ruin it by “becoming an expert” in two weeks. Hands down the biggest mistake I see new hires make is rushing their onboarding and ramp-up. You won’t be an expert, everyone will see it, and you’ll probably piss off your new co-workers and make your supervisor question if you were right fit. During this first week and beyond, embody my 11 year old, ask as many questions as you can. You’re the new kid at this school, observe the way things work. You get one shot, don’t blow it.

1. Meet your team, then meet people in other departments.

Your team will tell you about how they function and how the company runs. Folks in other departments are brilliant resources. They will share information about processes, giving you the whole picture. The best way to sell is understanding the whole schbang. If you can, ask for 1:1s to get to know folks as people first, co-workers second. Give them space to tell their onboarding story, how they got to the company, ask questions, then shut-up. As a sales person you already know the prospect will share if you stop talking. This is the time to be a sponge.

2. Ask more questions.

Questions to your team like : If you could go back to your first week here, what would you have done differently? What am I forgetting to ask out? What was one thing you wished you would have known when you started? What is the hardest thing for you in your current role?

Questions to your supervisor like: What is/are the most important thing(s) I should be focused on during my first month? What are red flags you’re going to be looking for? What are green flags? What’s your preferred style and method of communication?

3. Begin to lay out your routine and schedule.

Do you like time blocking? Do you write lists? However you are your most efficient self, implement it. If it’s not working CHANGE IT. There are millions of ways to be efficient with your time. Need some new idea, check this out

Enjoy the new gig! Take it slow, let others teach you. Learn the current process for doing something before you bring your new ideas to the table. The best way to start is to be as prepared as you can ahead of time. The best way to build rapport is to be a student in your new environment.