Question #31
“Do you have any tips for transitioning to a new role?”
Dear MM,
I do have some tips! Tis the season for moving into a new role, and this can be a hard thing to do. Here’s some advice for you to use as you’d like to:
Ask lots of questions: this is the time where your questions are least likely to affect people’s perception of you as a colleague. Be curious about everything in your new place or new position, including figuring out the important people and relationships that might be key to your success.
Read everything: read the website. Read your employee handbook. Read the random company emails. Read the noticeboards. This will help you feel more familiar with things, and help you find things them you need them later. Plus you’ll understand what the company finds important based on what things are written down.
Observe: walk around the office or campus, sit in on meetings, go to a happy hour. Get a good feel for this new space that you’re in, even if you don’t continue these activities long-term. Observing will help you get an idea of who’s who and what’s what.
Rest: even for the most extroverted of us, being new can be exhausting! You’re taking in so much information, and you’re always “on” since you’re meeting so many new people.
Celebrate: at the end of the first day or week, celebrate yourself in a small way. Get flowers at the store, or a special meal, or maybe a small purchase to commemorate this new phase in your life.
Check-in: make some time after the first month, or six weeks, or three months to check-in and see where you are, and how you are doing. This can be helpful to do on your own, and with a supervisor.
