So you have just landed that dream appointment and are keen to make a good impression? The first three months are critical to your long term success in a new position. This is why we regularly check in with (and advise) our successful candidates during this important period.
As a result we have built up a good idea of some of the key do's and don'ts. Here are some of our suggestions designed to help you get off to a flier!
Five things to do:
1) Clarify what is expected of you in the first three months and identify specific measures of success...
2) ...but recognise that there are unspoken expectations which often revolve around how you interact with the culture of the company.
3) Find out if you have been hired as an agent of change or to ensure that the ship steers a steady course - and act appropriately.
4) Establish some early allies. Make time to meet key people at ALL levels - above AND below!
5) Find out who else wanted the job within the company. People who have been overlooked could be helpful but also have the potential to be obstructive. Forewarned is forearmed!
Five things not to do:
1) If you were recruited for the job do not keep reminding people that you were 'headhunted'. This has a tendency to annoy people.
2) Don’t rush into change too quickly. The first month should be about collecting information and building relationships...
3) ...but don’t keep saying "I am new here" in months two and three – you need to start delivering results even if it is on a small scale at this stage.
4) Don’t change everything the previous job holder did just for the sake of change. Some of the processes were probably developed for good reasons which you will eventually discover.
5) Try not to upset the senior management through breaches of company etiquette ie. parking in the Finance Director's spot! If you don’t like the etiquette then work on changing it but ignore it at your peril.
