First 30 Days at New Job
Created by Cheli
A practical checklist to help you hit the ground running in your new role. Complete these items in your first month to look sharp, not lost.
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Checklist Items (21)
Week 1: Get Oriented
Focus on understanding the basics - your workspace, tools, team, and company fundamentals. Don't try to contribute yet; just learn.
Complete all HR paperwork
Sign employment contracts, tax forms, benefits enrollment, and any required compliance documents. Ask for copies of everything for your records.
Set up workstation and accounts
Configure your computer, email, Slack or Teams, and any role-specific software. Test access to all systems you'll need. Report any issues immediately.
Meet your direct manager
Schedule a one-on-one to discuss expectations, priorities, and how they like to communicate. Ask for their perspective on what success looks like in the first 30 days.
Get a team introduction
Request a team meeting or lunch where colleagues can share their roles and how you might collaborate. Take notes on who does what.
Review company handbook and policies
Read through PTO, remote work, expense policies, code of conduct, and any other important guidelines. Note questions for HR.
Learn communication tools and norms
Understand which tools to use for what - email versus chat versus meetings - expected response times, and meeting etiquette. Ask about preferred channels.
Week 2: Learn the Ropes
Deep dive into your role, team processes, and current projects. Start asking questions about how work actually gets done.
Review your job description in detail
Go through each responsibility and ask your manager to prioritize which ones matter most right now. Clarify any ambiguities.
Understand team structure and workflows
Learn how work gets done - ticketing systems, approval processes, handoff procedures. Ask for diagrams or documentation if they exist.
Shadow a team member
Spend time observing a colleague doing their daily work. Ask questions about challenges, tools, and common scenarios they'll face.
Meet key stakeholders
Get introductions to people outside your team who you'll regularly collaborate with - other departments, clients, or vendors.
Review current projects and priorities
Ask to see what's in flight, what's coming up, and where the biggest needs are. Understand the team's goals for the quarter.
Week 3: Build Relationships
Expand your network and start contributing meaningfully. People will remember who made an effort to connect early on.
Schedule one-on-ones with team members
Have informal chats to learn about their work, how you can support them, and any advice they'd share with someone new in your role.
Connect with cross-functional partners
Meet people in other departments you'll work with - sales, marketing, operations, finance. Understanding their perspectives early helps avoid friction later.
Take on your first real tasks
Start with smaller, lower-stakes assignments to build confidence and demonstrate reliability. Ask for feedback when you complete them.
Identify quick wins
Look for small improvements you can make early on - fixing outdated documentation, streamlining a process, or sharing useful information you learned.
Ask for feedback from your manager
Check in on how you're doing, what's going well, and what could improve. This shows initiative and helps you adjust quickly.
Week 4: Set Yourself Up for Success
Solidify your foundation and plan for the months ahead. The first month is just the beginning.
Create a 30-60-90 day plan
Work with your manager to document specific goals and milestones for your first three months. This aligns expectations and shows you think ahead.
Document what you've learned
Write down processes, contacts, and insights so you don't forget. This also helps future new hires and demonstrates thoroughness.
Confirm expectations with your manager
Review what's expected in months two and three. Clarify any unknowns about performance metrics, promotion criteria, or growth paths.
Plan your ongoing development
Identify skills to build, people to learn from, and resources you'll need. Ask about training budgets or learning opportunities available to you.
Establish your routine
Figure out your sustainable work rhythm - when to focus, when to collaborate, how to manage your calendar effectively. Protect your deep work time.