First 90 Days on the Job!

Introduction

Starting a new job after a PhD can feel like landing on a foreign planet, but you’re a baby, and everyone else is an adult.

The good news is that this is is your moment to shine! All those years of training have molded you into an execution machine. You’ve been selected for this role by people who know best, and have the skills to make things happen. Now you get to channel all that knowledge into making a tangible impact right from day one. You're about to create real-world, translational value. How exciting is that?

The best part? Unlike the solo marathon of dissertation writing, you're now part of a dynamic team. Those research skills that helped you master complex literature reviews? They're about to help you quickly identify opportunities and solutions that others miss. Your ability to organize complex projects? It's about to make you the go-to person for tackling the organization's biggest challenges. The extra bit of money in your pocket isn’t too bad either.

In this section, we’re going to:

• Get our mind right
• Identify key goals for each 30 day section
• Clearly identify our value to this company

Exercise: 90-Day Launch Map

Exercise Components:

1. Pre-Start Preparation (Before Day 1) Before you even get to the office, lets start the mental preparation and get our mindset right.

Use this prompt with your chosen LLM:

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I'm starting a new position as [job title] at [company/organization type]. Here is the job description: [Enter description here] Help me create a pre-start checklist covering: 1. Industry/organization research to complete before day 1 2. Key questions to ask my manager in our first meeting 3. Professional wardrobe considerations based on the company culture 4. Technology setup and tools I should familiarize myself with 5. How to frame my academic experience for this specific role

2. Phase 1: Orientation (Days 1-30) It’s finally here- Day 1. Your primary goals in the first month: Learn, listen, and build initial relationships.

Here’s a structured plan to kick things off:

Focus Area	Key Objectives	Action Items	Success Metrics
Cultural Mapping	Understand unwritten rules and norms	Schedule coffee with 2-3 colleagues per week	Feeling more comfortable meeting new people
Technical Systems	Learn essential platforms and tools	Complete all onboarding training	Never needing to ask for help twice on the same subject
Role Clarity	Define expectations with manager	Schedule weekly check-ins	Understanding exactly what is expected of you
Key Relationships	Identify essential stakeholders	Create relationship map	Make meaningful connections in separate departments
Quick Wins	Make immediate positive impact	Ask your manager how you can solve some problems others have been putting off	Deliver 1-2 small wins

3. Phase 2: Acceleration (Days 61-90) As you progress through your onboarding, things will start to come together about how you best fit within this company and your outlook for growth.

Using an acceleration planning chart like the one below solidifies both your plan and your growth potential:

Strategic Area	Current State	Your Potential Contribution	Action Plan
Team Challenges	[Document key issues]	[How your skills can help]	[Specific steps]
Knowledge Gaps	[Areas needing expertise]	[Your relevant knowledge]	[How to apply it]
Process Improvements	[Inefficiencies noted]	[Methodological approach]	[Proposed solution]
Strategic Initiatives	[Company priorities]	[How you can support]	[Specific contributions]
Personal Development	[Skills to develop]	[Learning approach]	[Resources needed]

4. End-of-90-Days Review Congrats! You’ve made it through the trial period and should now be settled into the next phase of your life! To cap it all off and make your accomplishment official, here is a self-assessment to put the finishing touches on your effort: