4 Ways To Successfully Onboard Into A New Role post-graduation

Well, done! You have graduated, and landed a job offer. Then, you have finally accepted the job position and you are about to start your new role very soon. Congratulations! 

What is next, and what are the steps you can take to make your transition to the company smooth?

The on-boarding process can be tricky, especially if it is your first job in the industry. Many career experts such as Tim Denning suggest that the “on-boarding phase” should already start from your final interview process. Here, you should ask the firm, “Why is this role vacant?” and “In the next six months, how would you be able to define whether I have been a successful hire for this role?” The vacancy of the role can provide you with relevant information as to how you should approach the position. If the position is new, that usually implies that the company is expanding and taking on more clients and projects. In this case, you can approach the role with more autonomy and have the chance to make a greater impact on the firm. On the flip side, if the team is large and you will work with several subordinates, then that means it is important for you to adapt to the company culture and learn how the teams function on a day-to-day basis.

The second question is there to understand the expectations of the company. When you are able to grasp the needs of the company, you will be able to prioritise your responsibilities accordingly and help the company grow with your expertise in a specific domain. Naturally, you want to make the best impression on your subordinates, peers and managers.

Post-interviews and during your first few weeks, we bring you four different ways to be onboarded successfully into your new role:

1. Make a genuine effort to make relationships at the company. What do we mean by this? Well, initiate the effort to greet new colleagues and interact with them on a daily basis. This can be as straightforward as conversing with them and even having lunch with your colleagues. Relationships are cultivated over time, and the fact that you initiate the first steps will mean a great deal to your peers. Moreover, you will understand the way you are able to communicate with different individuals at the workplace - which adds to your ability of getting along with everyone at the office.

2. Proactiveness leads to positive actions. During your first week at the firm, do not expect to be hand held and shown around the company at all times. Instead, create a 30, 60, 90-day plan to organise your timetable and prioritise your day-to-day responsibilities. Review this plan with your manager and ask them for feedback. This is important since you will show proactivity and the eagerness to get started with your work as soon as possible.

3. In many ways, this is the hardest tip. Ask questions! Many fresh employees, especially young graduates shy away from asking questions, and then get into trouble when they perform a very important task. The best strategy is to compile a set of questions in your notebook or notepad and ask your supervisor the next day. This creates efficiency; it will demonstrate your attentiveness to your peers and you will not be bombarding them with questions at random points of the day. On a performance level, it is crucial to ask your managers how your work will be evaluated; the certain processes involved and what your short, long-term expectations are for your position.

4. Observe and listen to absorb the style and culture of the company. It is important especially in a new role to learn the ropes of how your team functions and how the decisions are made before a new project is launched. As a result, it is integral for you to listen more in the first weeks to a month before implementing any major changes, especially without the consent of your subordinates. Learn about the tools used by the company to communicate cross-functionally such as Slack, Google Calendar. Furthermore, familiarise yourself with project management tools such as Figma, Monday or Trello depending on what the company uses. Now, take all these tips and use them to onboard into your new role! Share your experiences with us, your friends and your peers!

- Areeb, a first year master's student, who recently changed his major from Information and Service Management to Management and International Business. For the 2022 intake, this study option has been divided into 3 new study options:

Master’s Programme in Global Management

Master's Programme in People Management and Organizational Development

Master’s Programme in Strategic Management in a Changing World