5 questions to ask when starting a new job

12.24.2019

Sometimes imagining the awkwardness of starting a new job can be so scary that people will stay in their non-challenging, underwhelming roles just to avoid the “new job” anxiety. While we can’t remove all the uncomfortable parts of starting a new job in just one blog, we can give you some great questions to ask when you start so it’s a little less painful. Here are five questions you should ask your boss when you start a new job to help you hit the ground running.

“What Can I Take Off Your Plate?”

You’ve read the job description, and you asked great questions in your interview(s), so you have a general idea of what you’ll be expected to accomplish in your role. We hope the company you’re joining has a great job description that describes your key functions. Ideally whoever drafted your job description has read this article on how good job descriptions can prevent lawsuits. However, even the best job descriptions likely won’t include the unwritten expectations that your boss may or may not have are good to get out in the open early in your relationship. For instance, your boss might be responsible for delivering a certain report to executive leadership, but your boss has no intention of gathering or completing the analysis required to deliver that report. This might not have come up in the interview process, and it might not even come up during your weeks in onboarding, but if you ask the question about how you can help, even if it’s not part of the posted job description, it will show your commitment to making your boss look good, or showcasing your desire to be an asset before he or she even asks. 

“Who (Besides You) Should I Meet With in My First Week/Month?”

This might not seem like an obvious question to ask, but the more senior your role, the more likely you are to have responsibilities that cross over into other departments or cause you to work closely with people that wouldn’t seem like obvious collaborators. If you can get a jump on understanding who you’ll need to develop a relationship with in order to really be effective at your job from the beginning, the more impressive you’ll be to leadership. This also could lead to a conversation about some of the unwritten rules about how work gets done. Having this conversation will show initiative on your part, a desire to learn, and a proactive approach to getting started on the right foot. 

“What Are Your Goals for Me in the Next Month/Year?”

Ideally in the interview process you got a feel for how the review process works, and if you get a chance to review your manager, and/or if he or she will be reviewing you annually. However, you don’t want to wait a whole year to discuss your success or how you’ve met expectations. Start the conversation early by asking this question. You’ll be able to get a feel for how the “must have’s” you might have interpreted in the job description translate into reality. If you can use some tips on how to set your personal goals, check out our previous blog on goal setting here.

“What do you need from me in terms of company policies?”

Hopefully you don’t get a recital of the handbook from your new manager as a result of this question, rather you get an insight into whether or not you’re expected to give two week’s notice each time you want to take a vacation day, or that you should put the holiday party on your calendar now, because it’s really poor form not to attend. 

“How Do You Best Like to Communicate?”

With this question you can determine if your new boss is an email person, phone person or a meeting person. Understanding how your boss prefers to get and receive information will help you determine if and when an email will suffice or if an in person meeting is the only way you’ll get your message across. Once you have this conversation, read this piece on how to sync your communication style with your boss’s.

 

Don’t let the fear of the unknown or the potential of having to learn something new drive your justification for why or why you’re not pursuing your new opportunity.  Six in 10 workers are looking to change something about their career or job in the next year according to Fast Company, so you’re in good company if you find yourself here. Your next opportunity is waiting for you, you really just have to commit to making the change, because you’ll be impressive to your new boss when you ask these five questions when you start your new job.