The first 100 days in a new job

[Neverender]

I'm starting a new job and it's really important that I make the right impression. I'm trying to research but, from your experiences as either an employee or a manager, what should I do in the first 100 days.

So far I've got:

1. Listen more than you talk - listen for two thirds and talk for one third
2. Don't make any huge changes but see what quick wins you cane make

Any other tips?

What role are you taking up?

The advice you receive will be very different if you are starting as a chef for example, or a management position.

Learn how to spell "can".

Nap

Be lovely to everyone. Obviously we should always do this but when starting you aren’t privy to the links people have through the organisation. Sometimes it turns out that the lady who is “just” the receptionist is also married to the finance director. Real situation and was very useful when she backed me in persuading him to spend some cash on a moral boosting event. I didn’t know about their relationship as she kept her maiden name.

I started a new job almost a month ago - I report to the Finance Director and have a team of seven, so incorporate both employee and manager. I'm not trying to change anything - I want to gain trust and respect. I write down everything, or as much as I possibly can, and go over processes when I can to ensure that there aren't any gaps. I ask immediately if something isn't clear, to avoid having to go back and for someone to have to repeat themselves. I try to balance taking up other people's time explaining things to me with writing up notes, figuring out spreadsheets etc. I've spent part of today looking at past appraisals, timekeeping systems, admin stuff before month end kicks in.
Good luck!!

Do the things your manager says are important or shows they think are important.

1. listen to what you are meant to be doing - and that will probably be a better way to find out what you are supposed to be doing than posting on MN
2. Is it your job to change stuff? if it is part of your role, a key element of introducing changes is building buy-in from others including your manager - not just change them.
3. With any luck you'll have some kind of induction which will help you work out what you are meant to do -and who you should ask if you don't know what to do.
4. Be nice.

Apologies for my spelling. It's a management position and there are approx 70 people below me. I've always tried to treat others as I would wish to be treated (including how I correct their spelling or grammar) just looking for 'real life' advice. Thank you.

I'm definitely there to change things and 'be disruptive', which makes it harder

I am self employed and work mainly in v large corporate organisations. I start a new role at least once a year, maybe more. I think what I've learned over the years is to listen properly (especially in those very early days). Always surprised by how many people don't know how to really listen. And yeah...be nice. Face achingly nice.

Thanks Gravelface. Love the name - hope it didn't come from some awful accident??

Same situation here and the bit that I find hard is being on your best behaviour until you’ve established yourself, then you feel you can let little bits of yourself come through

Good luck neverender! Specially if you're there to rock the boat a bit. Do it all with a smile...

(And yes sadly the name is related to a drunken incident...)

I hope you no longer have a gravelly face

From someone who has been in a team a few times where someone like you has been hired (by that I mean someone who is supposed to revamp processes and change things ) please do the following:
1.Learn the old way properly before you change it so you understand it

1. Learn why it’s done the old way
2. Ask people who will be affected by your suggested changes if they think it’ll work!

I’ve had a few managers with “great ideas “ who don’t understand a system fully and don’t listen so they either change half the system so it no longer works with the second half or misses out something vital. Could be solved if they bothered to ask us rather than assuming we are inefficienct due to stubbornness or lack of intelligence .