4 ways to successfully onboard yourself into your new tech role

You have finally accepted the job position and are about to start your new role very soon. What's next, and what steps can you take to make your transition to the company smooth?

‍The onboarding process can be tricky, especially if it is your first job in the industry. Many career experts such as Tim Denning suggest that the onboarding phase should already start with your final interview process. Here, you should ask the company, “Why is this role vacant?” and “In the next six months, how would you be able to determine whether I have been a successful hire for this role?”

The vacancy for the role can provide you with relevant information about how you should approach the position. If the position is new, that usually implies that the company is expanding and taking on more clients and projects. In this case, you can approach the role with more autonomy and have the chance to make a greater impact on the firm. On the flip side, if the team is large and you will work with several subordinates, then that means it is important for you to adapt to the company culture and learn how the teams function on a day-to-day basis.

The second question allows you to understand the expectations of the company. When you are able to grasp the needs of the company, you will be able to prioritize your responsibilities accordingly and help the company grow with your expertise in a specific tech domain. 

‍Naturally, you want to make the best impression on your new team members and managers, so gathering as much insight as possible is crucial.

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‍Here are four different ways you can take control of your onboarding and succeed in your new role during your first weeks and months in a new job:

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1. Make a genuine effort to build relationships at the company. Initiate the effort to introduce yourself, greet new colleagues and interact with them on a daily basis. This can be as straightforward as conversing with them during coffee breaks and having lunches together. Relationships are cultivated over time, and the fact that you took the first steps will mean a great deal to your peers. Moreover, you will understand the way you are able to communicate with different individuals at the workplace - which adds to your ability to get along with everyone at the office.

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2. Proactiveness leads to positive actions. During your first week at the company, do not expect to be hand-held and shown around the company at all times. Instead, create a 30, 60, or 90-day plan to organize your timetable and prioritize your daily responsibilities. Review this plan with your manager and ask them for feedback. This will showcase your proactivity and eagerness to get started with work as soon as possible.

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3. Ask questions! In many ways, this may be the hardest tip. Many fresh employees, especially in the tech domain, shy away from asking questions and then get into trouble when they are faced with a challenging task. The best strategy is to write down a set of questions and ask your supervisor the next day. This creates efficiency, it will demonstrate your consideration for your peers, and you will not be bombarding them with questions at random points during the day. On a performance level, it is crucial to ask your managers how your work will be evaluated, what processes will be involved, and what your short- and long-term expectations are for your position. 

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4. Observe and listen to absorb the style and culture of the company. It is important, especially in a tech role to learn the ropes of how the tech team functions and how decisions are made before a new project is launched. As a result, it is integral for you to listen more in the first weeks to a month before implementing any major changes, especially without the consent of your managers. Learn about the tools used by the company to communicate cross-functionally such as Slack and Google Calendar. Furthermore, familiarize yourself with project management tools such as Monday, Trello, and such.

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Now, take all these tips and use them to onboard yourself into your new role faster. And good luck!

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