5 Questions to Ask When Starting a New Job

Whatever you do in the first few months of a new job is crucial to your chances of success or failure. Start building positive momentum from the beginning and you will be destined for success. Here are the five most important questions to ask when starting a new job.

How do I create value?

This is the most crucial question. You will need to figure out the reason you were hired for that specific job role. Only then will you know what the key stakeholders expect from you within a particular timeframe and the process the organization would use to measure your progress. Simply bear in mind that you will be required to please many stakeholders and not just your boss. So, comprehend the entire range of expectations from all quarters in order to deliver results exceeding expectations.

How do I fit in?

Unless you have been hired to drastically transform the culture at a new company, you should follow the existing fundamental rules of conduct of the organization, like the rest of the staff members. Consider the culture of an organization as an immune system that functions mostly to stop certain thoughts or actions from affecting the social structure. That means when you break the rules of conduct, you are at risk of being isolated by your peers.  

Your success will depend also on the people over whom you don't have direct authority, so you must build alliances. The first step to do this is to understand the political climate of your new company. Find out who is in charge of what and who has sufficient influence. With a better understanding of who is who, you will be able to focus on the best way to secure their trust. This usually involves more than simply building connections. It is important to know what other people are trying to achieve and how you can assist them. Reciprocity is a solid base on which you can build alliances.

What skills would I need to acquire to excel in this position?

In simple words, the skills that got you hired are not enough to take you to the top. The abilities and talents that brought you where you are in your career may not be enough to help you succeed at your new job. It's essential to think about the skills you'll need to acquire in the days to come. In order to be effective in your new position, it is likely that you'll need to work on your personal development. That doesn't mean you cannot be off to a successful start right away. However, the earlier you figure out the new skills you'll need to succeed in your job more effectively, the better. If you don't grasp this vital aspect, it can limit your chances of future advancement in your career.

How can I become an effective team member?

Be aware of the value you add to your new position before you get a new position. During the process of hiring, you'll need to be well-versed in the details of your job and the routine of your work. Ask your interviewer: What is "success" like in this job? How will your new company evaluate its employees? What are your manager's expectations of you?

The best time to begin collecting this data is at the time of your interview. Even if you don't know what you could do to show your worth when you begin the new position, you should begin to look into it as you become more comfortable in your position.

What am I hoping to accomplish with this job?

While it's essential to consider what you'll accomplish for your new team, it's crucial to think about what the new job means to you personally. It could be an interim job that lets you acquire some knowledge and skills which you can put to use in the bigger picture. Perhaps you view this as an opportunity to join an organization where you could expand and grow for an extended period of time. Before you begin, consider what you want to achieve and what your job will do to help you in reaching these objectives.

The time taken to stop and think about this new beginning will set you up for success at your new position and help those first days be a lot more important and less daunting. Taking the time and effort now will set you up for a successful tenure at the new workplace.

So, HiCounselor recommends that you consider the aforementioned five questions before you take on a new position and ask yourself these questions regularly. Make time at the close of every week to consider whether your answers remain the same or have been altered in some way. By doing this, you will be able to remain on the right path through your journey and beyond.

HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.