When you begin your new job, you want to understand the expectations and goals for your position. Setting up a meeting with your manager is a great way to do this. If your manager is not your first point of contact, you may have a trainer or mentor to guide you through the first weeks at your new job. Whatever the case, you will want to meet with whoever is teaching you about your expectations and responsibilities.
In this meeting, it is a good idea to discuss the following topics:
- Expectations
- Measurements for success
- Mistakes to avoid
- Timelines for projects
- Names of people to meet
Let’s go into more detail about each of these topics and how to discuss them with your manager or supervisor.
Expectations
Expectations are the things you are supposed to do in your job. You want to have a clear understanding of the expectations for someone in your position. You should already know what your job duties are, but it can only help to clarify them with your manager or supervisor. Maybe your manager has added additional expectations to your position based on your background or experience. The best way to find this out is to discuss it with the manager and make sure that you are both on the same page.
It is important to note that once you clarify expectations with your manager, you should do your best to meet them. It won’t seem professional if you know the expectations but choose not to meet them. On the other hand, you will be a valued employee if you not only know the expectations, but exceed them regularly.
Measurements for success
Another thing you should discuss with your manager is how he or she measures success. If you are a salesperson, maybe it is by a certain number of sales per month or per quarter, or a certain dollar amount of sales. If you are in customer service, maybe it is by an annual performance review. Whatever the case, talking to your manager will give you answers to this question and help you prepare to measure for success.
Once you find out how your manager will measure your success in the new position, you will have a good idea of what to do to in order to be successful. If you still have questions, be sure to clarify the answers with your manager so that you know exactly what is expected of you and so that you can do the job as best you can.
Mistakes to avoid
Many of us are afraid to make a mistake in our daily lives, let alone when beginning a new job! However, you need to take a deep breath and relax knowing that you are bound to make a mistake at some point in your new position. After all, you’re only human and in the process of learning a new job!
It is possible to avoid some mistakes by discussing with your manager the common mistakes made by new employees in the past. This will give you a heads-up on mistakes to avoid, and will also show your manager that you value your job and take it seriously.
Timelines for projects
A timeline is a date for which a task or project is to be completed. In your new job, you may have a different timeline to complete projects than in past positions you have held. You want to make the timeline for projects clear by checking with your manager so that you don’t just assume when they are due. You don’t want to get off on the wrong foot by turning in your first project late. On the other hand, it will show initiative and impress your supervisor if you turn in your first project early. Remember not to compromise the quality, though. Take your time and do your best work–especially when beginning a new job!
Names of people to meet
The final topic you should discuss in this meeting with your manager is names of people you should meet. Since you are just starting out, there will be a lot of new people to meet in your department or company. Asking your manager if there is anyone you should be sure to meet will help you get to know the right people. You may be expected to work with or support other employees either in your department or a different department. It also might be beneficial to meet fellow co workers who can potentially serve as mentors.
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