In today's membership sector landscape, most membership-focused organisations anticipate that new hires will immediately start contributing effectively - from Day One!
Here’s how recent graduates—and others—can prepare to excel from their very first day.
Nearly 80% of employers believe that graduates are unprepared for the workforce upon entering the job market, much less when they are actually offered a position. Most employers also have the expectation that new employees should contribute value from the very first day. This can create significant pressure on new hires.
Many experts contend that most crucial skills for graduates are best learned within the office environment, through observing and interacting with more seasoned employees. However, with the growing prevalence of hybrid work schedules, opportunities for such face-to-face interactions have decreased.
This is equally relevant for any new employee joining remotely. Given the shift toward hybrid work models, new hires must actively seek to understand the company culture and learn from their colleagues.
Here are five crucial steps that any new hire should undertake when starting a new role, even if your role is not 100% office-based.
1. First and foremost, developing a strong relationship with your manager and coworkers is imperative.
Your initial goal should be to establish a good rapport with both your manager and coworkers. Determine if members of your department typically come into the office on the same days, or if they meet once a month for lunch or happy hour.
"Beyond simply getting to know your colleagues, it’s essential to understand their work styles, find out if your manager has any particular preferences or pet peeves regarding how work should be delivered. it’s easy to step on land mines if you don’t ask,” Daniel Goddard, Co-Founder of Membership Bespoke advises.
For instance, your manager might expect all marketing memos to include data supporting your recommendations or might prefer that all documents be shared via Google Docs rather than Word.
2. Build a network beyond your department.
While your new employers will undoubtedly make efforts to onboard you, new hires often need to take the initiative to reach out to colleagues outside their immediate department.
If you’re uncertain about whom to approach, we recommend starting with the individuals who interviewed you. Additionally, ask your hiring manager and your boss for a list of colleagues they believe you should meet.
One of the advantages of a hybrid workplace is that it can be less intimidating to make such requests. You can reach out via email rather than walking down the hallway to ask for a meeting. Request a fifteen-minute phone call or a Teams/ Zoom meeting to learn about who they are and what they do. Prepare at least two thoughtful questions to ask during that conversation.
3. Make an effort to learn about the organisation.
It’s not enough to simply know how to perform your job; you also need to understand how your role fits into the broader context of the organisation. If the organisation is public, listen to earnings calls to gain insights into how leaders discuss the business, its goals, and its challenges.
"Read the latest annual report, marketing assets and stay updated on any relevant news to your industry, and anything politically related that may impact your organisation, its purpose, and your members is a vital starting point, " Daniel suggests.
4. Think Before You Speak!
Before reacting to a comment from your manager or a colleague, consider how you might come across. Identify work topics or issues that elicit strong reactions in you, and then formulate a thoughtful response rather than saying the first thing that comes to mind, for example.
5. Finally, demonstrate that you are trustworthy.
Until they get to know you better, your manager and colleagues will naturally question whether they can rely on you to get the job done.
During your interview, you convinced the organisation of your potential to succeed, but now it's your opportunity to deliver to that promise. When given a deadline or an assignment, ensure you complete it on time.
"You want to cultivate a reputation for reliability, so that people know they can count on you to handle tasks efficiently," Daniel concludes.
By adhering to these five steps, new employees can effectively navigate the obstacles of their new roles and demonstrate their value to the organisation from day one.