What is one question to ask when starting a new job?
To help you determine what to ask when starting a new job, we asked HR managers and CEOs this question for their best recommendations. From asking what your first week goals are to scheduling a one-week check-in, there are several questions that may help you determine what to ask when entering a new job in the future.
Here are thirteen questions to ask when starting a new job:
- What Are My First Week Goals?
- How is Performance Measured in Your Organization?
- What Are My 90 Day Expectations?
- Can I Assist With Anything?
- What Are My Day-To-Day Priorities?
- Who Should I Meet This Week?
- What’s Your Preferred Method of Communication?
- How Can I Share My Ideas?
- What is Your BYOD Policy?
- Who Will I Be Reporting To?
- What Are My Responsibilities?
- Which Goals Do You Want Me to Hit This Month?
- Can We Schedule a One-Week Check-In?
What Are My First Week Goals?
Employers don’t expect new hires to learn everything they need to know on day one; however, they still want to see them meet certain benchmarks. This is why when starting a new job, it is important to ask what are the goals for your first week. Every job has essentials that serve as the foundation for what they do, and in order to advance, they must be completed first. Whether it is learning new software, getting to know your team, knowing who to report to, what your essential responsibility is, or learning the company’s vision, asking about them lets your employer know that you are serious about performing your responsibilities. By inquiring about first week objectives, you can demonstrate to your employer your enthusiasm, show that you are goal oriented, as well as display the organizational skills that will make you successful.
Omid Semino, Diamond Mansion
How is Performance Measured in Your Organization?
How is performance measured in your organization? Before you start a new job you should understand how you’ll be evaluated. This is something that isn’t always clearly explained so make sure you fill that gap. Knowledge in this case gives you greater control as you’ll know what needs to be accomplished in order to succeed in your new role. Ask any follow-up questions in a way that will help you further understand the metrics used by your manager. Ones to either measure your effectiveness or the achievements they’re looking for. Narrow them down.
Nicole Ostrowska-Cobas, LiveCareer
What Are My 90 Day Expectations?
Ask about their expectations for your first three months. Your employers will explain your role within the company and how they measure your performance. You can avoid surprises and mitigate new-job anxiety when you prepare for your first 90 days.
Bill Glaser, Outstanding Foods
Can I Assist With Anything?
When starting a new job, you may find yourself disconnected from the hectic work schedule of your new colleagues. Even if your first days in the new company are filled with onboarding activities, you can still try making the best of them by asking your supervisor if you can assist with any task at hand. Not only will it help you get into the swing of things quicker, but it will also show your superiors that you are a go-getter with a proactive attitude who is eager to work.
Maja Kowalska, Zety
What Are My Day-To-Day Priorities?
While the job description and interview process have provided you with an overview of your role and objectives, you’ll need to find out the daily responsibilities that help you achieve your goals. Your manager may have your assignments planned out, but if not, ask about day-to-day priorities, upcoming projects, and deadlines. Also, coordinate your calendar for weekly team meetings and monthly manager check-ins. Knowing what needs to be done now while thinking ahead can help you get up to speed quickly and perform well in your new position.
Chris Gadek, AdQuick
Who Should I Meet This Week?
It’s crucial to form alliances with key personnel right away. This can help you navigate not only the politics of the office, but it’s a way of helping you achieve your goals. It’s well known that successes or failures are often determined by the relationships we foster, so understanding the office culture is essential for success. Find out about any habits of your new workplace, and get some insider information. This insight will help you integrate faster into the office and make your transition easier. Pro tip: Meet the managers who are good mentors and learn the jargon that is shared in the workplace. You’ll be up to speed in no time and start to be seen as a valuable asset.
Ouriel Lemmel, WinIt
What’s Your Preferred Method of Communication?
In today’s modern working world, there are countless ways to get in touch with coworkers, clients, and managers between phone, email, messaging systems, and in-person conversations. Asking ahead of time about your manager and team’s preferred methods can help avoid miscommunication, potential conflicts, and make collaborations as seamless as possible. It also shows you’re considerate of your coworkers – a great way to start a new job!
David Aylor, David Aylor Law Offices
How Can I Share My Ideas?
When starting a new job, ask how you can share your ideas. This question shows that you are eager to help grow the company and are motivated to jump into working. When you are just starting, it can be difficult to know who to go to when you have ideas, so ask early on how you can share your ideas to get them to the right people as soon as possible.
Leo Livshetz, Unhide
What is Your BYOD Policy?
Whether you’re working from home or office, you’ll want to determine before Day 1 if your new company expects you to Bring Your Own Device or Computer. Even some businesses that provide tools for you will happily allow you to use your own device if you prefer it – many diehard Apple users will struggle to figure out a work PC, and vice versa. Asking ahead of time will help you determine whether you need to do some shopping leading up to your first day, and your new manager will love your proactive approach.
John Li, Fig Loans
Who Will I Be Reporting To?
Find out the most important information you need to do your job well from day one. Once you’re officially hired make sure you know who you will be reporting to and ask to be introduced to them. Companies often reorganize internal structures and hierarchies and you want the opportunity to start your professional relationship with optimistic interaction and a face-to-face hello.
Hakeem Shittu, iPad Recycle
What Are My Responsibilities?
On the first day of starting a new job, you should get familiar with all your duties. Ask your employer for a comprehensive list of your responsibilities and what you can decide without approval. Setting clear expectations, both for you and your employer, is important to hitting your marks without stepping on their toes. Inevitably, the more questions you ask around what you’re responsible for will leave you with better know-how to do the job well. When you’re going to be evaluated for your performance, showing initiative at the start will cut you slack when things do go wrong. Show your new employer that you’re serious about being an asset to their business.
Brad Neathery, Oak & Eden
Which Goals Do You Want Me to Hit This Month?
Starting a new job on the right foot means understanding your boss’s expectations. Asking about short-term goals shows you’re results-oriented and ready to prioritize what they need from you most. It’s possible your boss doesn’t know the answer to this yet, but it can springboard the conversation for later and get you both thinking about the month ahead. If they don’t have a great answer ready, ask what their goals are over the next month and how you can help accomplish them.
Samuel Devyver, EasyLlama
Can We Schedule a One-Week Check-In?
When you start a new job, you want to know that you are on the right track, and a lot can change over a week, especially when it comes to a new job. It’s important to schedule a weekly check-in with your boss to go over what you have been learning and any other converse or questions you might have. It’s best to ask for a short meeting early on so your manager can fit you into their calendar. Scheduling a meeting is a great way to show that you are serious about your new job, and you want to perform it well. New jobs are exciting and stressful all at the same time. If you can ask the right questions early on, the transition will go much more smoothly for everyone in the office.
Mark Daoust, Quiet Light
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