The First 90 Days at Your New Job: Your Make-or-Break Window

You just started your new job.

Congratulations! You got the offer, negotiated (hopefully), accepted, and now you're here.

Day 1 is terrifying. Day 2 you're still trying to figure out where the bathroom is. Day 30 you're wondering if everyone thinks you're incompetent because you're still asking basic questions.

Here's what you need to know:

The first 90 days at a new job are your make-or-break window.

How you show up in these three months will determine:

• Whether you're taken seriously
• Whether you're given stretch assignments
• Whether you build relationships that matter
• Whether you're first in line for promotions

And whether you stay stuck or start rising.

No pressure, right? 🤪

Let's talk about what to actually do.

Week 1: Ask THE Question

Before you do anything else, before you try to prove yourself, before you jump into projects, you need to ask one crucial question.

Jenna Hagerich, Senior Brand Manager at Campbell's (and former VP at Aramark where she spent 15 years rising through the ranks), asks this in job interviews. But you should also ask it in your first week:

"How do you measure success in this role?"

Not "what are my responsibilities?" Not "what's the org chart?" Not "when do I get my first review?"

How. Do. You. Measure. Success.

Jenna explains: "Align yourself to that. Ask your supervisor what success looks like in this role."

Here's why this matters: You can work incredibly hard on the wrong things and get nowhere.

Most people show up, do tasks, complete assignments, and hope someone notices they're doing a good job.

But they have no idea what their boss actually cares about and what actually moves the needle for the team.

Find out what success looks like. Then align your work to that answer.

Ask this question in your first one-on-one. Take notes. Reference it constantly.

Weeks 2 Through 6: Get Feedback Early and Often

Paula Zimmer, VP of Client Services at Kuno Creative, has seen too many people wait for their 6-month review to find out they've been doing something wrong the entire time.

Her advice? "Feedback is a gift. Ask your peers, ask your mentors. Don't wait till your performance review at the end of the year."

Here's what to actually do:

Week 2: "How am I doing so far? Is there anything I should be doing differently?"

Week 4: "What's one thing I'm doing well? What's one thing I could improve?"

Week 6: "Am I on track with what you expected at this point?"

Real-time feedback beats annual reviews where you find out you've been missing the mark for months.

Don't be afraid to ask. Your manager wants you to succeed.

The First 90 Days: Show Initiative Above Everything Else

Pilar Khawaja landed an investment banking analyst role at Cain Brothers in NYC right out of Ohio State. She converted her internship into a full-time offer.

Her secret? "Being a hard worker and offering your help for every single task that comes to you, that really goes a long way. You can learn everything on the desk, but you have to come in with a work ethic."

Now that she manages first-year analysts, here's what she notices: "The main thing that sticks out is their eagerness to take the first try on everything. That initiative is huge."

Read that again: Eagerness to take the first try on everything.

Don't wait to be asked. Don't let someone else take the lead while you watch. Don't wait until you can do it perfectly before volunteering.

Raise your hand. Volunteer. Take the first try.

Yes, even when you're not sure how to do it. Especially then.

Build Relationships While You're Completing Tasks

Here's something that's kept me top secret, but shouldn't be: your job isn't just the work. It's the relationships.

The people who get promoted aren't necessarily the ones who are best at the technical work. They're the ones who:

• Build trust with their manager
• Make allies across departments
• Become someone people actually want to work with

In your first 90 days, invest in relationships as much as tasks.

What this looks like:

• Say yes to coffee chats and lunch invitations even when you're busy
• Ask people about their role and how it connects to yours
• Show up to team events (yes, even the optional ones)
• Show genuine interest in your coworkers as humans
• Be helpful without keeping score

Jennifer Fitzgerald, Strategy and Chief of Staff at EY, learned this early:

"That was when I started to have better teaming, better relationships, getting more opportunities" when she started being genuine instead of just professional.

People want to work with humans, not robots.

Speak Up in Meetings Even When You're Nervous

Jenna's advice on this is clear: "Remaining curious, asking a lot of questions. Don't sit silently in meetings waiting to be called on. Ask the clarifying question. Share your perspective."

In fact, she said that if you are invited to sit at the table, you have a responsibility to use your voice.

In your first 90 days, you're building a reputation. Do you want to be known as:

• The person who sits silently and never contributes
• Or the person who asks good questions and offers ideas

Visibility matters so don't hesitate to speak up.

Your question isn't dumb. Three other people in that meeting are wondering the same thing. Be the one who asks.

What NOT to Do in Your First 90 Days

Just as important as what to do is what NOT to do:

Don't: Wait for someone to tell you what to do next. Take initiative.

Don't: Just complete tasks. Align to what success actually means.

Don't: Assume you know everything. Get feedback constantly.

Don't: Stay silent because you're not sure. Ask questions.

Don't: Work in isolation. Build relationships.

Don't: Skip the social stuff. Show up.

The people who crash and burn in their first 90 days are the ones doing all these things 😬

Your 90-Day Action Plan

📌 Here's your roadmap:

Week 1:

• Ask "How do you measure success in this role?"
• Set up coffee chats with 3-5 key people
• Speak up at least once in your first team meeting

Weeks 2-4:

• Get your first round of feedback
• Volunteer for something even if it scares you
• Start building the habit of asking questions in meetings

Weeks 5-8:

• Check in on how you're doing relative to success metrics
• Deepen relationships (think lunch, not just coffee)
• Take on something visible and challenging

Weeks 9-12:

• Get another round of feedback
• Assess what you've learned and what you still need to learn
• Plan your development conversation with your manager

Throughout all 90 days:

• Show initiative constantly
• Be genuinely helpful
• Stay visible

This is your foundation. Build it strong.

And most of all, trust yourself.

💜 Brianne

PS: Want the Complete First 90 Days Playbook?

This is just the beginning. Jenna, Paula, Pilar, and Jennifer are four of 12 successful women who've been promoted multiple times at companies like EY, Campbell's, Aramark, and Cain Brothers.

In my new ebook, "NO ONE TOLD ME THIS: 12 Women Share the Secrets You Actually Need About Career, Money & Confidence," you'll get:

• How to recover from mistakes in your first few months
• Exactly what to say when you don't know the answer
• How to build your internal network strategically
• When to push back and when to just execute

These women have started new jobs, navigated the first 90 days, and risen to leadership. Now they're sharing everything.

Download the free ebook here and make your first 90 days count.

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it strategic.