Ask HN: Tips/advice for starting a new job?
I'm a data scientist / statistician starting a new job in two weeks at a large company. I would appreciate tips and advice (things you wish you knew or did when making a fresh start).
2. Network: regardless of the size of your organization, make a list of people you want to meet across different groups/departments. Make it a point to schedule 1:1 time to get to know them. Much like the guidance in Pt 1 above, get to know what they do, how they operate, what they value and how they judge value and success. Ask them about where they need help and if they see opportunities for you to help in your new role. And always ask them for referrals to other people you should meet next.
3. Regular Review Intervals: do this first for yourself, and try to establish a more regular progress and planning session with your boss. Quarterly is good to keep this somewhat informal as it will be outside regular performance review cycles, but regular enough to ensure timeliness and value. It's also important for your own sanity to keep a realistic view on how things are going and whether they map to your personal needs and plan. We all get bogged down in the day to day BS, so this forces a time to reflect and put things in perspective.
4. Plan A Vacation: whether you have something booked or not, block a vacation for sometime in the next 6-9 months. It's easy to get approvals when you're starting out, if you need that, and it gives you a purpose to find something meaningful to fill that block of time so you have something to look forward to.
I might add -- learn to anticipate your Boss/Big Boss's needs. Typically, timely updates. And solutions to problems.
Learn by watching and being inquisitive, but do not judge publicly.
Don't advocate for what you perceive could be better about anything the company, team, or even individual does until you understand how the current situation evolved.
You want to be seen as someone who notices real problems the business faces, rather than trivial concerns which some new hires tend to point out in a wholesome attempt to display their knowledge to the new team on day one.
Let your previously acquired experience come to be known over time through action.
They are hiring you to participate in the production process and they are expecting a burn-in period. You should identify how you can shorten that period to a minimum to begin delivering value quicker than expected for the average new hire.
Be genuine.
Good luck!
After my suggestion, they discovered their boss had may of the same interests and hobbies. Knowing what people care about helps with bonding and small talk. And while these things may appear trivial at times to us tech folk, small talk is the social lubrication that really helps build relationships.
It feels a bit too creepy to show knowledge about the interests of people you don't know just because you googled them. Your point about building relationships is valid, I just don't think that this is the way to do it.