As a recruiter, I think one of the most difficult times in a position is in the first 90 days. After the initial excitement of the acceptance of the new role wears off, you start your job and begin training, which can be more challenging than people think! Often times, there are new computer systems to learn, new people to deal with, and (if you are making an upward move) a whole new set of responsibilities to manage.
Even for the most ambitious of candidates this can be hard, so here are a few tips for getting through those first three months:
1. What (often times) people forget is that it will only get easier. The more you know, the better off you are, so don’t get discouraged. Stick it out!
2. Don’t base your opinion of a position on a weeks worth of work. You have to get settled in to the company and they have to settle in to you also!
3. There is a learning process and a learning curve, so cut yourself some slack and remember why you took the role in the first place: because it was a great opportunity for you!
4. If after 3 months, you still feel that you don’t like the job and things aren’t starting to click, reevaluate, but until such time don’t make any irrational decisions. You took this position, and you need to give the company and the position the commitment that it deserves before you decide that you just don’t like it or it isn’t the right fit for you. Chances are, you will have the same or similar set of problems, if you jump to another role too quickly!
Christi-Ann Emous
Executive Recruiter
