The goal of your first fortnight
Your first two weeks are not about proving how much you know. They are about learning how this place works. People who rush to change things early often lose goodwill they later need.
Aim for three outcomes by the end of week two. You understand how the organisation runs. You know what your manager needs most. You have finished one useful task well.
Learn the map
Spend week one building a picture of four things:
- People. Who decides, who knows the history, and who gets things done. Write names and roles down.
- Systems. Get your logins, email and tools working early. Follow up politely with IT and HR until they are.
- Rhythms. When reports are due, when meetings happen and when the month closes.
- Rules. Hours, leave, expenses, approvals and security.
Talk to your manager early
Within your first few days, ask your manager for a short meeting. Your aim is to understand their priorities and how they measure success. Ask how they like to communicate and how often they want updates.
Write down what they say. Those answers become your plan for probation. Ask for regular short check-ins during your first three months. Most managers appreciate it, even if they would not suggest it.
Meet the people you depend on
Introduce yourself to your team and to the people in other departments your work touches. Ask what they need from your role. Listen more than you talk. Avoid comparing everything to your last employer.
Deliver one small win
Choose one visible task you can finish properly within two weeks. It could be an overdue report, a clean filing system or a fixed template. Finishing it well shows you are reliable. It also gives your manager something good to say about you.
Mistakes to avoid
- Proposing big changes before you understand the reasons behind current ways.
- Joining office disagreements you do not yet understand.
- Promising too much to look keen.
- Staying silent when confused. Questions cost least in week one.
Start a daily note
Each evening, write a few lines on what you did, learnt and were asked to do. It helps your probation review and your next CV.
In the full lesson
- The five questions to ask your manager in your first meeting
- A fuller checklist for learning people, systems, rhythms and rules
- More early mistakes to avoid, including the late-night trap
- How your daily note feeds your probation review and your next CV