Job start - the first 90 days

Probably you have already been in contact with your new employer. You have had interview rounds, were able to ask questions and have done research about the company. Nevertheless, when you enter your workplace for the first time and get to know your new colleagues everything is exciting and new.

There is no magic formula for a good start in your new job, but there are a few tips on how you can make the best possible start to your working relationship:

1. Be open and curious
It is hardly possible to learn on paper what makes a company tick. This can only be done in exchange with others. Networking, listening well and asking a lot of questions are especially important at the beginning to get to know the culture of the new employer. Try to participate in coffee breaks as often as possible or have lunch with colleagues. Especially in the beginning you are often asked to come along, it is important to use these opportunities for informal exchange. In this way, you will arrive faster in the team and thus in the company. By the way, this is also possible virtually. Many teams also have informal coffee breaks on their agenda. Also try to use your camera during virtual meetings. This way your team members know who has actually joined the team.

2. Let the relationship grow slowly
Finding your way in a new environment takes time. Do not expect to understand or be able to do everything from the beginning. Give yourself room to learn. Employers know that it takes some time to get the hang of it. This time frame is included in new hires. Get help from your team members. Be open to your colleagues and tell them about yourself, your values and your background. Share with them your experiences and what is important to you. Do you love freedom, do you want to be an expert, is working together in a team and pulling together important to you? Or do you also need time for yourself because you are more of a conceptual thinker than a chatterbox that needs to be sent out? Open up and you will notice that your colleagues trust you more, integrate you into the existing team faster and share current topics and backgrounds more openly.

3. Bring in new ideas
When you start working in a new company, you will see many processes and topics that are already well established. Your outer perspective might make you notice things that do not seem practical from your point of view. It is great to question things and make suggestions for change. However, make sure that you are constructive and solution-oriented when doing so.And by asking questions, try to understand the background of some business issues or seemingly complicated processes in their entirety, before you might upset others with your ideas.

4. Focus
Especially in the beginning, one sometimes tends to want to take on as many projects and topics as possible. Be careful here. Working on too many topics at the same time and getting used to a new environment can quickly become overwhelming. It is advisable to first build up your expertise in a few fields before you expand your range of topics.

5. Be realistic about your own abilities
The education you received at the ETH has equipped you with many important skills and know-how. Nevertheless, you still have to learn. The practice differs in many things from the academic environment. Be open and learn how to apply your knowledge in a business context. Allow yourself to be trained and ask if you are unsure. Also clarify with your manager how he/she will judge that you are doing a good job. It is easier to do a good job if you know what is expected of you and what you are measured by. This conversation is also about communicating your expectations in terms of a good collaboration. An employer-employee relationship is a two-way street and should therefore be based on partnership.