Tips for the First 90 Days of a New Job Position
Do your homework 
– Before you even go in for an interview with the company, you will want to learn all you can about it. However, once you land the job, you should do everything you can to dig deeper into how the company works, its history and where it is headed. Ask for any materials available to you to find out everything from details about the products and services, to business strategies to customer profiles. Any extra knowledge you can gain in the first few weeks of your job, will help you succeed in the position.Observe and listen– A very large part of being a good fit for a job position is how well you integrate into the company culture. Because you got the job, your employer knows you have the skills and experience to perform well, and also probably thought you were a good match for the business environment. One of the best ways to understand how the company operates it to listen and observe. Understand how your colleagues communicate and interact, as well as the overall atmosphere of the group. Does the office mostly communicate with face-to-face interactions or via email or instant messenger? Is there a laid back, open-door feel, or do they mostly prefer scheduled meetings? Get a feel for how the company operates connects so you can mesh with what they do.
Send the right message– You want to hit the ground running and be viewed as an important part of the team, but you also don’t want to overstep your boundaries as the newbie. You want to send the right message about who you are and the work you do during these critical first three months. Not only should you dress conservatively and remain humble, you will want to earn your credit by establishing a good reputation for yourself. Share ideas that you have and work hard on assignments, but don’t step on anyones toes or shake things up within the company. Be patient for opportunities to be presented to you, and share the credit with other team members- this is the best way to gain acceptance. 
Ask questions and admit mistakes– Training and orientation may come in small amounts these days, so its up to you to ensure you are doing everything correctly. Don’t think that others will judge you as being under qualified if you ask questions that need to be answered. As the new person, you are pretty much expected to ask questions, and if you do something wrong that could have been done right, it could have far worse consequences. Likewise, you need to own up to any mistakes you made immediately. You will show honesty and integrity if you admit where you went wrong, and work with your boss to correct it, instead of waiting to see if they find out.
Make friends– You will want to initially start to build camaraderie between you and your boss as well as immediate colleagues, but don’t fail to get to know people beyond your department. One of the best ways to establish relationships is to say yes to lunch. In your first 90 days you will want to show you are hard working and dedicated, but saying no to lunch every day will keep you from learning more about the company and people, sharing who you are with them, as well as networking opportunities.
Exceed expectations– Ask the right questions to your boss to know what will be expected of you in the first three months of your employment, so you can then perform beyond their requirements. Ask how your job fits into the goals of the department as well as the overall picture. When you grasp how your work will contribute and be evaluated, you can then emphasize areas of you performance that will exceed your bosses expectations.
Show enthusiasm– Starting a new job position and becoming comfortable within the company can be stressful. However, it is important to show that you are happy to be there. Don’t become so focused on your work that you appear discouraged or frustrated. Remember to smile throughout the day and show that you are happy to be there, confident and content in your position, and enthusiastic about the work you are doing.
By Kelly L Wade