5 Things to Do as a New Hire

Congratulations! You got the job! Whether you landed an internship or a full-time position, there are a lot of emotions associated with this new chapter. Excitement and anticipation, of course, but there is also often some uncertainty about how to navigate these uncharted waters. After you get the phone call informing you that you’re hired, these are the top five things you should do.

Celebrate

Far from being an indulgent or frivolous act, celebrating right after receiving good news is beneficial for your psychological state. Celebrating a success marks this accomplishment as different from the day-to-day. It’s also important to remember that your celebration doesn’t need to look a certain way, like a big party with cake and balloons. You might prefer to have a nice meal, get yourself a gift, or even plan a phone call with a friend or a long bike ride along the water.

Learn the Company

Now that you’re done celebrating, it’s time to really deeply learn the company, something you likely started while applying and interviewing. This phase starts in earnest from the moment of the hiring offer, by reading through publicly available information, like the business’s website or recent news stories. Once you’re on the job, learning the company can be done by perusing internal documents and asking questions of your new coworkers.

Say Yes

Once you’ve been in your new role longer, you will know which meetings and team events are good uses of your time, but in the beginning, say yes to everything. Prioritize interacting with teammates and managers face-to-face, both in meetings and at social events. This will open you up to new connections, which could turn into friendships, work partnerships, or simply opportunities to learn more about your colleagues and their projects.

Ask Questions with Confidence

You’re new to the job, so you may be hesitant to ask too many questions, as you want to make a good impression. This mindset stems from thinking questions are an indicator of being underprepared or uneducated. The opposite is true. If you are attentive and doing all you can to learn about your new job, you can ask questions from a place of confidence. If you do this, pretty soon you’ll be the one people are coming to for advice.

Don’t Be Afraid to Suggest New Ideas

As Grace Hopper said, “The most dangerous phrase in the English language is 'we have always done it this way.’” You were hired because the company knows you have great potential and will be a valuable addition. Even as you are learning, you should feel empowered to suggest new ideas.

Congratulations again on the job! If you keep the aforementioned recommendations in mind and remember to prioritize progress over perfection, you’re going to do great!