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So, you have found firm’s key players, understood the company’s goals, and started to set realistic, measurable objectives. Here is how to sail through the remainder of those first three months in your new role.
Keep track of your progress
If you read the first part of our First 90-Days Plan, you will already have forged your path to identifying the necessary people, understanding the organisation’s goals (and where you fit), and setting realistic goals. Now, you must keep that going! Keep that list beside you and make edits every morning. When you’re new to a firm, you will likely need some trial and error. With a list, you can note what should be prioritised and avoid early disruptions.
If you are unsure how to keep your list active, try the following checklist:
- Have you reviewed your daily or weekly plan?
- Have you set specific milestones for each item on the list?
- Do you need feedback or help from your colleagues with this item?
- Have you adjusted your objectives based on any new priorities today?
Share your plan with your line manager
Sharing your plan fosters transparency and sets a precedent for open communication between you and your supervisor. It is also a great way to get valuable, regular feedback and input from more experienced team members.
Apply the feedback
You have spent time talking to the right people at the company. We hope you were making notes! Now is the time to act on what you learned. We recommend making a super-list of all the points of action you have collected and working out how much time you need to complete them. If any of them have strict deadlines, add those project milestones to your calendar first, to make sure everyone is satisfied.
One step that many forget when applying feedback is to keep all your stakeholders involved. Everyone expecting work from you should hear back from you as soon as possible when they should receive their materials. A simple email clarifying when and what you will deliver will keep your team content.
Adapt to the company’s communication style
If you are new to emailing or prefer one communication platform to another, remember that not everyone will share your enthusiasm for casual language! Unless you have a good rapport with your team and it is appropriate, leave the emojis and acronyms on WhatsApp.
However, if your team has adopted an informal messaging platform like Slack, you won’t need to start every message with a formal salutation! Remember to keep professional and mindful of each platform’s communication style and adapt accordingly.
Admit your weaknesses
So few people make use of a company’s professional development programmes. Identify early on where you may need extra help, and ask your line manager what options are available to help close those gaps.
We tell our candidates that there is no shame in admitting a weakness! Pointing out places for improvement will mean that you and your team could become much more resistant to challenges later on.
Be proactive
If you don’t find any relevant professional development courses in the firm, look elsewhere! There are many online courses, accredited learning options at UK institutions, and conferences where you can work on your skills, knowledge and network.
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A 90-day plan is so helpful for demonstrating your commitment to the firm and how you keep prepared for any fresh challenges that come your way. We train our candidates to build a positive perception of how they work and contribute to the role they have been awarded.
We are a boutique financial services recruitment agency based in the heart of London. If you are looking for a job in the City, let us know how we can help!