Essential Tips for Your First 90 Days at Work

Summary of “Tackle the First 90 Days of Your Next Role: A 5 Step Process for Success on the Job”

In her blog, Rebecca Carnahan emphasizes the significance of the first 90 days in a new job, outlining a five-step process for successful onboarding. This period is critical for establishing performance and longevity within the company.

1. Importance of the First 90 Days:
   • The initial phase shapes an employee’s contribution and integration. A well-structured onboarding process benefits both the employee and employer.
2. Step 1: Detail What, Why, and How:
   • Communicate openly with your manager about your learning and contribution plans. Create a segmented action plan for the first 90 days, focusing on learning and initial contributions.
3. Step 2: Identify Stakeholders:
   • Determine key individuals to meet and learn from, enhancing your understanding of the company. Develop targeted questions for these stakeholders.
4. Step 3: Conduct Interviews:
   • Schedule meetings with stakeholders to build relationships and gather insights. Organize notes effectively for later reference.
5. Step 4: Synthesize:
   • Analyze collected information for key themes and inconsistencies. Consider sharing a summary of insights to provide immediate value to the organization.
6. Step 5: Build, Share, Work the Plan:
   • Set clear, actionable goals using the ACHIEVE model (Action-Oriented, Consequential, Hard not Herculean, Integrated, Explicit, Visualized, Endpoint-focused). Communicate your goals and associated action items clearly.

Carnahan concludes that a thoughtful approach during the first 90 days, guided by these steps, not only aids in personal success but also benefits the organization by leveraging fresh perspectives and insights.

https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/blog/post/tackle-the-first-90-days-of-your-next-role-a-5-step-process-for-success-on-the-job