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The first 30 days are crucial in a new job. You can use these precious first days to form excellent first impressions that can lead to long-lasting relationships in your new organization.

Young PR Pros calls this the 30-day challenge. In this episode our hosts and producer will share their 30-day challenge tips and advice so you can make your first days at a new job count.

What should you do in the first month at a new job?

First off, Clare did a great job reminding our listeners that new jobs aren’t always all butterflies and kittens. There are good and bad days. It is important to take take it easy on yourself during the first month, take it in strides and make note of those lessons learned (listen to episode 116 for tips on how to learn from your lessons).

What else can you do during the first 30 days?

1. Give yourself a goal. PR, marketing and communications professionals are deadline driven. Set a few goals, maybe it is to introduce yourself to each person in the office, or maybe it is to set up alerts on industry news and learn about the industry.
2. Avoid heavy lifting – spend more time learning. Ross says you should learn as much as you can, learn the corporate structure and immerse yourself in as much things related to the company. A lot of success happens when you fit your good ideas into a corporate framework – i.e. understanding how new ideas can flourish in your new company. One easy way to do this is to read as many news releases published by the company, this gives you a good idea of what is going on in the organization as well as their industry.
3. Sit down, stay humble. This is not the time to be proud. Take criticism, remember you are new and it is inevitable you will not be the expert on certain things. Also, 9/10 times your amazing bright idea has probably already been presented before. Take this opportunity to learn from your new team. But humble shouldn’t lead to impostor syndrome. You got the job, you deserve to be there.
4. Bring in food – people love the employee who shows up with treats!

First impressions

First impressions are so important at a new job. They can really make or break the experience you will gain. Agility PR puts it nicely:

“You’re told your entire life not to judge a book by its cover, yet it’s impossible to avoid. Biologically, humans are hardwired to make quick judgments as a way of identifying threats.”

All first impressions are important, doesn’t matter what their title is. Don’t underestimate the relationships you will build with a receptionist or executive assistant. What happens if you are running around last minute trying to print a proposal that is due in less than an hour. The printer breaks and you have no idea what to do. If you didn’t make a good first impression with that receptionist, good luck getting things working in time to send that proposal.

Lessons Learned

So what did our hosts learn during this episode?

• Clare learned it is a really good idea to make a map of the office. If you have a hard time learning names, a map of your office with names and notes about each colleague will help you remember your entire new team.
• Ross is reminded that the first 30 days is very stressful. As a boss now, he will definitely remember to help his team members celebrate the wins and recognize the low days, while remaining neutral towards both.
• Kristine says the one word she took away is: respect. Respect your new team, respect the job, respect the organization. Sit down, stay humble!

Don’t forget to share your opinions, or what is on your mind by writing a comment below, or on our Facebook Page, send us an email or audio note at youngprpros@gmail.com, or send us a message on Twitter @youngprpros.

About Kristine d'Arbelles

Kristine D’Arbelles, co-host of Young PR Pros, works for the Canadian Automobile Association as Manager of Public Affairs. A new mother of a little boy, Kristine loves all things podcasting. Full bio

About Julia Kent

Julia Kent, co-host of Young PR Pros, is a communications and marketing professional in Ottawa, originally from Halifax. She is experienced in broadcast journalism, public speaking, event management, social media, marketing, communications, proposal and web writing. Full bio

About Ross Simmonds

Ross Simmonds is passionate about technology, the future, good people, good coffee, and storytelling. Ross writes about a wide range of topics that interest him and teaches people how to use content, social media and storytelling to achieve their business goals. As an entrepreneur, he often writes about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship along with the lessons I’ve learned over the last few years. Ross is the founder of Hustle & Grind (eCommerce store for entrepreneurs), Crate (content marketing software) and offers content marketing services to brands and startups around the world. I use this site to share my thoughts on marketing, business, life and things that inspire me. He wrote "Stand Out: The Content Guide for Entrepreneurs," "The Hustle Manifesto" and shares exclusive content to thousands of people on a semi-regular basis on his newsletter.

About Clare Bonnyman

Digital and audio storyteller, with a passion for multimedia and multi-vitamins. Telling stories using audio, video, photography and social media on air in communities across Ontario. Serious passion for podcasting production and audio technologies