New job during quarantine

INTRO
I worked as a UX Researcher before covid. Joining a new company (a Vietnamese one) and transitioning to a new field (Telecom, after previously working in Ed/Edtech) presented significant challenges for me. However, I have very good friends who gave me some tips before starting this new position (not only UX but CX). That’s why in return, I’m writing this post with the hope that my learnings will help somehow.

New kid on the block:

You are new in this job.. everything is brand new, and your goal is to quickly gain a deep understanding of the company, including its goals, culture, and work dynamics. To achieve this, you’ll want to ask questions to your leader, boss, or the person who hired you, as well as your coworkers.

Some questions you might want to ask:

*This might not apply to everyone but I hope this can help some! :)

-What are the expectations of your role? Understanding the expectations of your role is crucial, as it ensures alignment with your colleagues regarding what they anticipate from you.

E.G: Bonny was hired as a UX Researcher in ‘The best company’ so she would assume she needed to do everything she was doing as a UX Researcher in her last job. BUT, surprise.. the UX Researcher before her in her new job did different stuff or used different methodologies!! So people were used to this.

How is the biz/area rhythm of work?
(Important for deadlines and to be prepared). This is actually so important to ask.. not everyone works the same.

Don’t assume
If someone asks you to complete a task, such as creating a Customer Journey Map, and suggests a timeframe, it’s important not to assume that they already understand the nature of the task or the effort it involves. Instead, kindly inquire if they are familiar with the task, and how they’ve handled similar projects in the past, and then explain your methodology and the reasons behind the time estimate you provide. This approach helps your coworkers better understand and empathize with your work.

Request a virtual meeting with cameras on.
This is a new time for everyone.. so don’t expect to have the best onboarding ever! In some cases, don’t expect to have an onboarding at all (true story ) However, it’s crucial not to take it personally. I learned this from a friend, who advised me to take the initiative. You can ask your colleagues to turn on their cameras for at least the first meeting, as it helps you get to know them better. Additionally, you can suggest taking a few minutes (adjusting the time based on the number of participants) to introduce yourselves on a more personal level.”

How does the recruitment of people for interviews work?
Ask the earlier you can. Why? Some companies have a smooth and easy process for scheduling interviews, while others may not. From my personal experience, I’ve had to engage with multiple stakeholders for legal reasons before sending out interview requests, and this process could take days to coordinate. Therefore, it’s also beneficial to inquire about the most recent process your colleagues used, as it can save you time when managing interview-related tasks.

THE END

Well, I’ve only been in this new job for 3 weeks, so those were my main learnings and advice I can share with you. However, I’ll continue to write about what’s new.

I hope this was useful!