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I’ve noticed several of my LinkedIn connections are announcing a new job. Great for them! It’s wonderful when people can achieve their career goals. 

It also means that you have to deal with being “new”. New company, new boss, new team members, new policies and procedures, etc. You get the point. We often talk about what organizations, managers, and buddies need to do when they are onboarding new employees … but what about the things that a new employee needs to do?  

If you haven’t already left your current job / employer, think about your departure. Even when you’re totally frustrated and burned out with your current situation, you might want to leave on good terms. You’ve done good work. There are probably employees you enjoyed working with. You’ll need information about COBRA, 401(k), etc. I’m not saying lie about your experience, but there’s a way to provide insightful feedback during an exit interview without destroying relationships. 

Research your new organization. You’ve probably done a certain amount of research during the interview process, but your perspective will be different now that you’re an employee. Check out the company website for the new job, especially the newsroom page where you can read announcements. Also do a general internet search and check out the news tab to see what others are saying about the organization. 

Prepare your questions. As a HR professional, as much as I try to anticipate everyone’s questions in advance, sometimes, I miss the mark. So, get a notebook and start writing down the things you want to know. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t expect to get all your questions answered on the first day within the first few hours. But keep track of the answers you get and look for opportunities to ask more questions. 

Focus on building relationships. This is obvious but let me say it anyway. You don’t know people and they don’t know you. Even if you have a buddy, there might be times when you will want to introduce yourself. Think about what you would say. Don’t get frustrated if you have to introduce yourself more than once in your new job. If you’re like me and have an unusual name, you might have to remind people how to pronounce your name. The flip side is also true … you’ll want to figure out how you’re going to remember people, their names, and what they do in the organization. 

Get to know your new boss. Speaking of building relationships, one important relationship to focus on is the one with your manager. Start to understand how they like to communicate and when. Are they an early morning person, so that’s the best time to ask questions? Or do they appear to have more time after lunch to chat? Maybe they’re more of an email person. Understanding how to communicate with your boss will be valuable throughout your career.

Learn your job. I know this also goes without saying, but even when you’re doing the same thing in a new place, there can be subtle differences. For example, in HR, we regularly deal with dress code policies. But every organization has a different policy so there’s a learning curve. Remember, you’re not going to learn everything in a day. It could be helpful to keep a notebook of resources so when you don’t remember something, you know where to find answers. 

These activities could also be helpful when you’re changing roles within the same company. If you’re moving to a new location, you might be working with a new team and a new boss. 

Starting a new job or moving to a new company can be incredibly exciting. That’s great. The organization is putting plans in place to set you up for success through orientation and onboarding. Take time to think about the transition and how you want to position yourself for success. 

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Las Vegas, NV
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09/02/2025 – 12:03 /Sharlyn Lauby
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