After being at my job for 4 and half years I'm starting a new role outside of the organization.

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SDRobinson26

HR Professional

02/22/21 at 2:05PM UTC

After being at my job for 4 and half years I'm starting a new role outside of the organization.

Any first day tips? Any tips on note taking while learning new processes?

13 Comments

Antonia Calzetti

270

02/22/21 at 2:25PM UTC

Congratulations to you! I use onenote for notetaking. It's super helpful since you can separate by tabs and move tabs in order of priority.

1 Reply

SDRobinson26

HR Professional

02/22/21 at 2:33PM UTC

I love OneNote! I use it in my current role to type all of my meeting notes.

Veronica Bacica

02/22/21 at 4:03PM UTC

Hi, congratulations on your new role! I have typically sketched (roughly) any process steps on my notebook which I carry to every meeting. The rough sketch serves as a place for me to add notes, etc. as I learn the steps of the process. Then, I go back & include my notes & process steps in a more clear & visual way electronically. PowerPoint, Excel and other types of files can be used depending on what type of process you are learning.

Elizabeth Ragone

Direct to Consumer Leader

02/23/21 at 9:17PM UTC

Congratulations! Dress to make yourself feel like your strongest, most powerful self. Listen. Repeat the names of those you’re introduced to. Write everything down. If someone explains something that isn’t making sense yet, ask if you can follow up later w questions. Have a wonderful first day.

1 Reply

Amy Bucciferro

Consulting is my profession, equality my passion

02/26/21 at 1:06AM UTC

Agree 100% about listening, taking notes, asking for follow ups. The best impression you can make on your first day is by taking everything in. Also expect people to ask you about you; thinking ahead about how you may answer that in different situations may help you feel more confident and be a better listener.

Jackie Ghedine

4.22k

Coach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans

02/23/21 at 9:23PM UTC

Woot Woot. Congrats! Step authentically into yourself and approach your first day, week and month with curiosity and excitement. This energy will project into the org and back onto you.

Mary Angela Baker

Thought Leader, Educator, Advocate for Women

02/23/21 at 10:12PM UTC

Bravo to you! If you will be starting the position in person, the best tip I can give is to ask appropriate questions, listen for understanding, ask clarifying questions if need be, and listen, listen, listen!

Deidra Bodkin

Marketing & Media Leader across Consumer & B2B

02/23/21 at 11:58PM UTC

Congrats! Make sure to ask a cultural question about note taking methods. For example, some companies are 100% onboard with typing notes while you are meeting with people, others view it as not paying attention or even rude. For anyone you are meeting with, let them know you are going to take notes, especially this is happening over video conference (remote) since you may naturally look like you aren't as "present" if you need to look away from the screen to jot down key points. I would also recommend that you summarize your learnings after the first couple of weeks and if there are themes about the company's onboarding or ways of working that could be positively shared or potentially improved upon, look to set up time with your manager to discuss.

Jackie Weisman

Association Marketer & Communicator in Maryland

02/24/21 at 12:38PM UTC

That is SO exciting!! I think my greatest advice has been to take things slow and observe the office norms. And share nothing you don't want the entire office to know.

Emily Christakis

I help organizations thrive one person @ a time.

02/24/21 at 2:42PM UTC

Congratulations on your new role. I would listen mostly and ask a ton of questions. Ask to meet with as many people as possible that you will be interacting with; take a coffee/tea break with them. Find out what they would do if they were in your shoes. What is working? What's not working? The more you ask questions now, the better it will be in the long run for you.

Kay Fittes

"Stepping Over the Obstacles"

02/24/21 at 4:06PM UTC

Congratulations! Hoping this new role is a perfect fit for you. Step out and step back. Step out, be prepared to shine early in the job. Early impressions are key. For example, bring a smart idea to the first meeting you attend. Step back, by keeping your concerns, fears, and insecurities to yourself. It may seem that sharing information will help you bond and create rapport. However, you will not know who to trust. Some of your co-workers could use that information against you. The goal is not to make you paranoid, the goal is to get information on the lay of the land. Who has the ear of the boss, who tends to gossip, who may have a hidden agenda? Try other ways of creating a connection with your new co-workers. Best of luck in this new opportunity.

Anne Matsushita

02/24/21 at 8:31PM UTC

That's great, many congrats! Try to be aware of the full day -- do mornings or afternoons tend to be busier? This can help you plan your future days. Also, start looking for low-hanging fruit so you can bring small wins to the table. Do you have any suggestions for the on-boarding process / new hire orientation? Raise them! Try to build rapport with your teammates. Even if you are working remotely now, you can offer a virtual coffee chat or lunch to get to know them and let them get to know you so you're not just talking about work. Best wishes!

Charlotte Booth Organization and Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach

Igniting the evolution of people and teams

02/25/21 at 5:35PM UTC

Congratulations! How exciting! I agree with the comments here and I would add that there is a great book, "The 1st 90 Days" by Michael Watkins that can be very helpful in your journey forward. Beyond taking good notes he discusses how to ask the right questions, setting expecatations with your new boss, and how to gain short term and long term wins. Most leaders I work with have this book in their library and go back to it every time they transition to a new role. Best wishes to you!