10 Ways to Succeed in Your First 90 Days at a New Job
Making Your First 90 Days Count
Starting a new job mixes excitement with pressure. Those first three months set the tone for your future at the company. They're when colleagues form their first impressions and when you build the foundation for your success.
Let's look at 10 practical ways to make your first 90 days count.
1. Understand Your Role and Set Clear Expectations
Meet with your manager early to discuss what success looks like in your position. Ask specific questions about:
Key responsibilities and priorities
How your performance will be measured
Short-term goals for your first month, quarter, and beyond
This conversation prevents misunderstandings and helps you focus your energy where it matters most.
2. Build Strong Relationships and Network
Your colleagues are your most valuable resource. Schedule brief coffee meetings with key team members and stakeholders. Ask about their roles, current projects, and how you might work together.
These connections provide context for your work and create allies who can help you navigate the organization. Remember names, follow up on conversations, and look for ways to help others.
3. Master the Company Culture
Every workplace has unwritten rules. Pay attention to:
Communication styles (formal vs. casual)
Decision-making processes
Work hours and flexibility expectations
How meetings are conducted
Join company events and observe how people interact. Adapting to the culture helps you fit in faster and work more effectively with your team.
4. Develop a Learning Mindset and Seek Feedback
Approach your new role with curiosity. Ask questions, take notes, and admit when you don't know something.
Request regular feedback from your manager and peers. Simple questions like "What could I improve?" or "Am I on the right track with this project?" show your commitment to growth and give you valuable information for adjustments.
5. Set and Track Measurable Goals
Create SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for your first 30, 60, and 90 days. These might include:
Learning specific systems or processes
Completing training
Taking on certain responsibilities
Delivering initial projects
Track your progress and share updates with your manager to demonstrate your focus and achievement.
6. Show Initiative and Be Proactive
Don't wait to be told what to do. Once you understand your role, identify opportunities to contribute. Volunteer for projects that match your skills, suggest solutions to problems, and follow through on commitments.
This proactive approach shows you're engaged and ready to add value beyond your basic job description.
7. Enhance Time Management and Prioritize Tasks
New jobs come with information overload. Create systems to manage your time and tasks:
Use a planner or digital tool to track deadlines and commitments
Block time for focused work
Prioritize tasks based on impact and urgency
Break large projects into manageable steps
Good organization prevents overwhelm and helps you deliver consistent results.
8. Communicate Effectively
Clear communication builds trust. Keep your manager and team informed about your progress, challenges, and questions. Learn how different colleagues prefer to communicate—email, chat, in-person, or scheduled meetings.
When in doubt, over-communicate rather than under-communicate, especially when working remotely or on independent projects.
9. Embrace Adaptability and Resilience
You'll face unexpected challenges in any new role. Approach changes and setbacks with flexibility and a solution-focused mindset.
When you make mistakes (and everyone does), own them, learn from them, and move forward. This resilience shows maturity and builds respect among colleagues.
10. Plan for Your Long-Term Success
While focusing on immediate goals, keep an eye on your future. After about 60 days, discuss professional development opportunities with your manager. Identify skills to develop and potential career paths within the organization.
Find mentors who can provide guidance specific to your field and company. Their perspective can help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your growth.
Reflect and Build on Your Foundations
Your first 90 days are just the beginning. The habits and relationships you establish now create momentum for long-term success. Review your progress regularly, celebrate your wins, and adjust your approach as needed.
By understanding expectations, building relationships, adapting to the culture, seeking feedback, setting goals, showing initiative, managing your time, communicating clearly, staying resilient, and planning for growth, you'll transform from "the new person" into a valued team member.
Which of these strategies will you implement first? And what other approaches have helped you succeed in new roles? Your experience might help others navigating their own career transitions.
