Your first 90 days in a new job: a simple plan

You got the job. Congratulations! The first 90 days shape how your new team sees you for a long time. The good news: you don't need to be brilliant on day one. You need a plan.

Here's a simple one, month by month.

Before day one

• Write down why they hired you. Look back at the job post and your interview notes. Those 3 or 4 things are what your manager expects first.
• Learn the names. Look up your manager and teammates on LinkedIn. It makes the first week much easier.
• Rest. Starting tired is the most common mistake.

Month one: listen and learn

Your job this month is to understand how things really work.

• Ask your manager one question in week one: "What would a great first 90 days look like to you?" Write the answer down. It's your plan.
• Meet people, one coffee chat at a time. Aim for 2 or 3 short chats a week with people on your team and the teams you work with. Ask: "What do you wish someone told you when you started?"
• Keep a notes file. Who does what, which tools you use, the words people use. You'll forget faster than you think.
• Don't change things yet. Ideas are welcome, but learn why things are done the way they are first.

Month two: get an early win

Now you know enough to help.

• Pick one small problem and fix it. A report nobody likes, a slow process, a messy document. Small and visible beats big and slow.
• Share what you learned. A short note to your manager every two weeks: what you did, what you learned, what's next.
• Keep building your network. Go one level wider: people in other teams and other offices.

Month three: show where you're going

• Have a 90-day check-in with your manager. Ask: "What's going well? What should I do more of?"
• Agree on goals for the next 6 months. Write them down together.
• Think about the bigger picture. Where do you want this job to take you in 2 or 3 years? What skills do you need for that?

Building your network (without it feeling weird)

• Most people like being asked for advice. Keep it short: 20 minutes, one or two questions.
• Say thank you after, in one line, and mention one thing you'll try.
• Help back. Share an article, an introduction, or a tip when you can.

Common mistakes in the first 90 days

• Trying to prove yourself by changing everything in week one.
• Only meeting your own team.
• Waiting until your review to ask how you're doing.
• Saying yes to everything and burning out by month two.

Want help with the bigger picture?

A new job is a great moment to plan your next move. A human career coach can help you set goals for this role and map where it leads. Meet our coaches.

And if you ever need Zoe again, she's right here.