Starting a new job after graduation
Intricate diplomas, class rings, square caps thrown into the air: there are so many wonderful traditions tied to graduation. However, often along with the excitement comes questions about the future. Where will I live? What will my career look like? What’s next? With so many graduations this month, I want to take the time to congratulate our Lime Connect members and offer some tips for transitioning into the workforce. Please chime in with any questions or share your own experience in the comments!
Before you start…
Starting a new job can be hectic, both for you and the team responsible for your onboarding. To help ease the stress that comes with this major life transition, we recommend doing as much research as you can. If you have access to an employee handbook, be sure to read it thoroughly. It may even be worth finding a map of your office or campus. Now is also the perfect time to figure out what accommodations might be helpful for you. Workplace accommodations can be different from those given by colleges, so really reflect on what has worked for you in the past and what barriers you could see yourself facing. Askjan.org has a great list of potential accommodations to help you get ideas.
Lime Connect’s new online platform is also full of resources. The Resource tab has talks on a wide range of topics, including accessibility tools. The Connections tool is a great way to find and reach out to future colleagues or partner company representatives. You can also join Community Groups for support relating to specific disabilities, intersecting identities and corporate partners. (I may be biased, but I also think it’s helpful to check the News for articles like this one. 🙂)
Once you’ve done your research, you can reach out to your hiring manager or recruiter for specific advice. Come prepared with questions. Is there anything you’ll need to bring? What should you expect during your onboarding? What will your schedule be like for the first day? What is the office dress code (even if you work remotely)? If there are any accommodations that you’ll need before your first day, be sure to ask for help setting those up as well. The important thing is that you’re being proactive and taking initiative, both of which help make a great first impression.
Lastly, if you still find yourself with the first day jitters, it can be helpful to do a test run. This can be as thorough or simple as you need, but I recommend trying out your commute and testing out any work equipment. Once you’ve done all that, rest and take a deep breath. You’ve got this!
On the first day…
It can be easy to overthink the first day, but remember that first days are just the start. Nobody is expecting you to become Employee of the Month right away. You’ll have time for that later. For now, focus on what you can control. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Organize your desk and familiarize yourself with your physical and virtual workspaces. Be curious. Ask lots of questions.
As you ramp up…
The real adjustment comes in ramping up. Over time, your team will get to know you and you’ll develop a better understanding of your role. In your first weeks, take time to meet with and get to know your manager. They’ll likely be your go-to person for questions about your work and they’ll likely also be the one evaluating your performance.
One way to remove ambiguity is to work with your manager to clarify expectations and define success. You’ll use this information to drive and prioritize your daily tasks. These meetings may also be a good time to ask for any accommodations and/or disclose your disability. Disclosure is a personal decision that we’ll be getting more into in a future article, but for now you can check out this video on whether, when and how to disclose a disability. Often the better your manager understands your needs, the better they are able to support you and vice versa. I
t’s also worth reaching out to Human Resources, who often handle things like pay, benefits and accommodations. If you need help even with things that seem simple, don’t hesitate to ask. There can be a lot to think about and it’s important to understand retirement contributions, pay schedules and healthcare options offered by your company. Additionally, HR may be able to help you set up certain accommodations without involving your manager.
Lastly, look into building a community. This takes time and can look different depending on your job, but there’s incredible value in finding supporters, friends and advocates in your company. One way to get started making new connections is by setting up coffee chats with coworkers. Another option is to join (or start) an Employee Resource Group. Many Lime Connect members have been able to make connections helping with their company’s disability and accessibility efforts. There may even be networking programs at your workplace that can help provide structure. Whatever way works best for you, get to know and start learning from the people around you. Despite all the uncertainty that comes with this major transition, you are not alone.