By Julie Vessel, Director of Talent, mono
If you’ve just landed a new job, congratulations! You’ve made it through the interview and the battery of questions about who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and even what type of animal best describes you. You’ve found an agency that believes you’ve got what they need. The promise of what you’ll do together is what makes a new job so exciting.
But your interview shouldn’t be the only time that you and your manager have a meaningful conversation about who you are and what you can bring to the company. Here are three questions that are just as valuable after you’ve landed the job as they are in the interview.
Why do you want this job?
Chances are, there is something you hope will be different in this new job. Whether you’re shifting from an account management role to a creative one, or moving from a huge agency to a small digital shop, it’s why you’re making this change, not what the change is, that is most important to stay connected to. The why defines the purpose, motivation and determination of this next chapter in your life. The ‘why’ gives you a mission, not just a job.
Be sure to define your ‘why’ in those first days of the job when the transition you’re experiencing is at its clearest. As you slip into a routine, it will start to fade. Don’t assume your manager knows why you took this job. Tell them. Make sure they know early on what you are hoping to achieve, realize, and learn. Keep this in mind year-to-year: use your ‘why’ as a benchmark in annual review and performance conversations. Is your real experience in this job living up to the potential that was so alluring in the interview?
What are your greatest strengths?
During an interview, this question helps employers identify what separates you from the pack. But once in the job, we have a tendency to try and blend in rather than stand out in an effort to adapt to company culture.
Don’t wait for your strengths to be discovered. Let them be clearly known. Studies show, when people leverage their strengths, they feel more engaged in their job. Your strengths likely played a big factor in helping you get the job. But now that you’re in the job, keep looking for ways to bring your strengths to your role in bigger, and more valuable ways. This is especially important in the world of advertising, as new roles, and jobs are being defined every day in our constantly evolving industry. Making your strengths known can help bring new and unique opportunities to you.
Do you have any questions for me?
At the end of every interview, you’re usually offered the opportunity to learn more about the agency by asking the interviewer questions. It’s an open forum about the job, culture and company, and your opportunity to sniff out whether it’s the right fit for you.
Once in the job, we often assume we’ll be told what we need to know. But even if your manager is the best communicator on earth, you should never stop learning or asking about the business you’ve joined. Stay curious and keep asking questions beyond “where is the bathroom?” Ask questions that will give you deeper insights into how to succeed at your company.
Short-term, ask your manager questions that help you uncover the keys to early job success:
- What are the most important parts of the job I should master during my first few weeks here?
- Who are the key people I should meet, and what should I learn from them?
- What is the best way for you and I to connect and stay in touch?
Long-term, use questions to keep learning about the agency, clients and business. The more you learn, the more you might uncover ways and opportunities for you to add value in bigger, and more powerful ways.
- What can you tell me about your plans for growth?
- Where does this agency see itself in 5 years?
- What things are holding us back from greater success?
There are few moments in life that match the anything is possible excitement of a new job. But as the novelty fades, keep your mission, strengths and curiosity shining bright. The qualities that landed you this dream job are the same that will propel you forward.