What are the most effective ways to make a good impression in your first week on the job?

I create a transition plan for my first 90 days whenever I move to a new position. I develop general categories of information I need to know to be productive and contribute quickly. For example, if the new job is in Client Success for a SaaS product, here are a few examples: Introductions (client/internal), client strategies, financials, product and services, technology and processes, culture, observations, and deliverables. Each category has a list of action items and a target date to complete each action within 90 days. Having a transition plan has been an invaluable way for me to feel confident I’m making progress and can contribute to the bottom line.

I would also add, be friendly and approachable to your new colleagues. Be patient. You're in a new role and it will take some time to learn. Be patient with yourself and do your due diligence to learn outside of any scheduled training meetings if able to do so.

Never hesitate to seek assistance. Observe and learn is the best way to understand the current process and culture within a new organisation to get more affiliated.

Don't be afraid to ask questions because you are new. Ask for resources for you to learn separately. It helps to prepare as much as you can through your own self study and shows initiative. Your new colleagues will appreciate the effort as well.

You are new to the role or at least new to the company. The biggest thing I have learned is figuring out who to network with to help educate you and also introduce yourself as a resource that can help the people you are meeting. As a veteran within any organization, it becomes second nature after a while to know who you should contact to get things done. Being new, you are starting over and need to learn the key players again and establish good working relationships with them.

This can be tricky when you are new. It's good to volunteer for projects and share input, but be mindful of your colleagues who may have more experience to avoid coming across as though you know better. Temper the enthusiasm by using discretion and making suggestions by asking questions. Seek to understand your new role fully.

We are all nervous the first week on the job. It's human to want to be seen as capable and a solid contributor. Sometimes there's a urge to try to explain how much we know, or how we have handled a situation in the past. Remember to LISTEN more than speak. Active listening will show that you are a team player and make your new teammates feel comfortable and respected. Don't interrupt, or feel obligated to explain how much you know too soon.

Create meeting invites to expand your network. Allow for some of these meetings to turn into regular, recurring meetings to further build your network.

Break down barriers by asking questions about the lives of the people you will be interacting with. This shows you have an interest in THEM, everyone's favorite topic to discuss. Chances are, they will remember you more clearly and reflect on how personable you are to them.

Acquire information, meet people, understand culture and people dynamics and chart your own unique path by not losing sight of your individuality and what new you can bring to the table. Identifying gaps and making mental notes that you can act later that will help differentiate your skill and add value. Don't focus on blending in but identify and see how you can stand out.