Strategies for Thriving in Your Initial 30 Days at a Tech Job
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Your New Role
Embarking on a new job can be a mix of excitement and anxiety. You're entering a fresh environment filled with new colleagues, technologies, and a chance to reinvent yourself. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to excel, there are several common tasks and objectives that can help you feel more at ease and confident. While many of these tips are applicable across various fields, the tech industry presents its own distinct challenges and opportunities for growth. Additionally, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced personal life to support your productivity, so be sure to consider the points that might not seem directly work-related.
Section 1.1: Establishing a Structured Schedule
Create a flexible schedule.
Many people perceive a schedule as a restriction on their freedom, but it actually serves to liberate your time. Imagine how you would allocate a week among work, socializing, and personal interests. A well-structured schedule can reveal how much time you genuinely have each day.
Initiate one-on-ones with your team members.
Scheduling personal meetings with each of your teammates is vital for fostering relationships. This not only enhances comfort levels but also helps you understand each member's roles and whom to approach for various inquiries.
Identify documentation resources.
Discover where your team keeps documentation—whether it's project READMEs, architectural guidelines, or policies on time off. Knowing where to find these resources is essential.
Achieve early small victories.
One of the best feelings at a new job is successfully completing your first task. Don’t overthink it; tackle simpler assignments first to gain momentum.
Plan your meals.
Cooking at home not only saves money but also promotes healthier eating habits. Meal prepping can save you valuable time during the workweek.
Understand your team's product or service.
Familiarize yourself with the business challenges your team addresses and how your role contributes to those solutions.
Grasp your company's objectives.
Determine how your team's goals align with the broader company objectives and find ways to help meet those targets.
Learn the time-off process.
Understand the procedures for taking time off, including how to communicate your absence to teammates.
Map out the technologies your team uses.
Knowing not just the tools but how they interrelate is crucial for your success. Identify the skills you need to enhance.
Gather resources for skill enhancement.
Whether it’s books, online courses, or YouTube tutorials, diversifying your learning methods can greatly improve your understanding.
Clone relevant projects.
Attempt to run your team's projects locally to understand the source code and identify any challenges you face.
Invest in a note-taking tool.
Keeping track of important information from meetings and tasks will significantly boost your productivity.
Seek out a mentor.
Establish a connection with someone on your team who can provide guidance and support.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Embrace the opportunity to ask for clarification. A company that discourages questions may not be the right fit for you.
Familiarize yourself with the workspace.
If you’re in a physical office, take time to explore and understand the layout and where your colleagues are based.
Practice kindness to yourself and others.
Approachability and kindness are invaluable traits in a teammate.
Request feedback.
Regularly check in with your manager and coworkers to understand your performance better.
Engage in small talk.
Make an effort to get to know your colleagues by discussing interests and finding common ground.
Avoid overcommitting.
In the early stages of your career, it’s tempting to take on too much. Focus on delivering quality over quantity.
Outline your career growth path.
Determine your long-term career aspirations and create a plan to achieve them.
Surround yourself with positivity.
Build relationships with supportive colleagues and minimize interactions with negative influences.
Understand social media policies.
Clarify what you can share online to avoid any issues with proprietary information.
Identify a task to showcase.
Look for opportunities to present your work to the team, which can enhance your visibility.
Deepen your programming language skills.
Go beyond basic proficiency and strive for a comprehensive understanding of the languages you use.
Incorporate fun into your workplace.
Create enjoyable moments, whether it’s through casual games or outings.
Investigate challenging teammates.
Often, difficulties in communication stem from underlying issues. Take the time to understand your colleagues better.
Learn how to test your code.
Understanding various testing methods and environments is crucial for effective development.
Become acquainted with team coding standards.
Align your work with your team’s coding practices before proposing your enhancements.
Teach others what you learn.
Sharing knowledge not only reinforces your understanding but also benefits your teammates.
Take ownership of your work.
Acknowledging your mistakes and seeking to learn from them will set you apart as a valuable team member.
What strategies do you prioritize when starting a new job? Are there any pitfalls you aim to avoid? I appreciate your time in reading this article. If you'd like to support my writing, please consider signing up for Medium through my referral link below.
Chapter 2: Video Resources for a Successful Start
This video titled "How to Succeed in Your New Tech Job" provides insights into creating a 30-60-90 day plan, overcoming anxiety, and acquiring new skills.
The second video, "Starting a New Job? Here's a 90-Day Plan from Harvard," offers a structured approach to make the most of your early days in a new role.