The new work from home ‘normal’ in this COVID19 world has changed how we interview for and take new Jobs. Onboarding is challenging. How can a new hire get the information they need, build relationships, and understand a department’s culture? I’m going to share a technique I have found worked well both in person and virtually.
Every company and department has specific onboarding checklists (or not). These include orientations, security access, and general expectations. In the physical office, you may be assigned a team member to ‘show you the ropes,’ walk you around the facility and introduce you to others. This type of relationship-building is not possible in a virtual environment. You MUST be more assertive in getting integrated into the team. Here is what you do.
Meet each person on your new team by scheduling a 30-minute Zoom meeting at their convenience.
1:1 Meetings
You have two goals; build a relationship and gain information. Get to know each other casually while staying on task. In some cases, you may need the first meeting to be a casual get-to-know-you coffee session with a follow-up Q&A session. Be flexible; if you pepper questions at someone who is still trying to get to know and trust you, you may not make progress in either goal.
You have to learn the ins and outs of your new group, so you must come prepared. Let them know your taking notes, so you don’t forget any useful information they share. Being new to a team has perks, such as you can ask just about anything!
What is their role?
- What are they responsible for on the team?
- Why? You’re building an operational map in your mind of who does what and where you fit in.
What are the specialties of the other people on the team?
- Why? Personal impressions can be very informative and provide you with some questions to ask the other team members.
What’s their background?
- Degrees, tenure at the company, tenure in the group, prior positions, careers, outside interests, craft brew preferences
- Why? Most people like to share about themselves. Showing interest goes a long way in relationship building. From colleges to sports teams, common interests serve as an easy conversation starter for the future.
What are they ‘known’ for in the company?
- Are they an SQL wiz, are they the person who ‘knows everyone,’ do they contribute to open source python projects in their free time?
- Why? You’re building a list of ‘Go-To’ people in your new world, for both yourself and recommending to others.
What do they think is the most challenging part of working for the team?
- How do they recommend approaching it as a new team member?
- Why? Get to know the speedbumps. You may find themes across your conversations and might be able to scheme how to tackle it.
What tools and data sources do they use?
- How do you go about getting access and software?
- Why? You need to know what resources you need to hit the ground running.
What do they recommend you do these next two weeks?
- Why? They can provide direction and structure over the coming weeks.
Do they have any scripts or code snippets they can share with you?
- Why? Each company has it’s own code style, best to get to know it. Also, you can learn how the company connects to the databases and tools. Having these snippets will save you a ton of grief.
What are some resources you can tap to get information?
- What internal sites, meetings, communities of practice, external sites, and training resources should you consider?
- Why? Getting signed up for the right internal groups and informational meetings are crucial to getting the information you need and developing contacts outside of the team.
What people or teams do they recommend you meet outside of the team?
- Could these introduce you?
- Why? An introduction is an excellent opportunity to meet key people in the company.
After that 1:1 meeting
- Organize your notes.
- Send a follow-up email or message thanking them for their time and their insights. Mention those introductions, links, and code snippets that they recommended.
- Start researching the data, tools, and resources they mentioned.
After all of the meetings
- Again, organize your notes.
- What are the trends you see?
- Do you have any unique skills that you think might help address individual or team challenges?
- Identify how you can provide value to the group as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
It is best to take a proactive role in your first week at a new job, especially in a virtual world where out of sight may mean out of mind. Put yourself out there and schedule 1:1 meetings with all of your teammates. People enjoy talking about themselves and what they do. Their insights will provide you with what you need to start being a productive member of the team.