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In this episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast, Leah Jackson, assistant director of editorial strategy at HigherEdJobs, joins co-hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin to talk about what comes after the job offer and why starting a new role deserves the same level of intention and energy as the job search itself. The conversation centered around two articles written by Leah, “4 Ways to Prepare for Your New Job” and “Starting a New Job? Consider These Strategies for Success,” which explain how professionals can shift their focus from landing a position to setting themselves up for long-term success once they arrive.
The conversation explored how new hires can approach onboarding and the first weeks on the job with confidence, from preparing ahead of day one and understanding campus culture to building relationships, and asking questions.
Throughout the discussion, the early days of a new role were framed as being less about making changes and more about paying attention. Leah noted that when joining a new team, flexibility matters, explaining:
“When you’re starting a new role, there is real value in being curious and being flexible. I think we all come with our set ways of working, things that have worked for us. When you’re joining a new team, it’s really important to learn how they’ve worked, what their typical workflow is, observe, and be adaptable. Be willing to try the systems that they’re already using.”
Kelly expanded on this, cautioning against the instinct to compare a new workplace to a former one.
“No one wants to hear, ‘This is how we did it at my old job,’ on day one,” she said.
Instead, Andy encouraged new employees to slow down and focus on learning the context behind existing processes.
“Ask why before offering suggestions,” he said. “Understand the reasoning behind how things are done.”
He also pointed out that language matters during this transition, particularly when it comes to how new hires position themselves within the team.
“Be mindful of ‘we,'” Andy said. “Your new colleagues are your ‘we’ now.”
Set Expectations and Manage Early Doubt
The conversation turned to expectations when Kelly discussed the challenge of wanting to make a strong impression while also recognizing that learning takes time. She recommended that new hires clarify what success looks like early on in their new role rather than guessing.
“Clarify the expectations with your supervisor,” Kelly said. “What do they expect out of you in the first 30 days, the first 60, 90… a year?”
She encouraged listeners to establish check-ins early to ensure alignment.
“Set up a check-in so everyone is on the same page,” she said. “If you think you were hired to do something and they thought they were hiring you to do something and you just go on your way and then 90 days goes by and it wasn’t aligning, that’s rough.”
While it’s important to get alignment between you and your supervisor, Leah also pointed out during the conversation that you can’t expect perfection from yourself. She encouraged listeners to practice self-compassion.
“You’re going to make mistakes. It’s about how you handle them, learn from them, and move forward. It’s not about perfection.”
Kelly referenced a previous HigherEdJobs podcast conversation with RJ Jenkins, who explored how imposter feelings often surface during periods of transition and growth –particularly when professionals are entering unfamiliar roles or environments.
“Remember, you were hired for a reason,” she said. “Imposter feelings are common, but you belong there.”
Feedback, Relationships, and Long-Term Growth
As the conversation wrapped up, Andy spoke about the role of feedback, encouraging listeners to pay attention to what is offered and to whether the workplace culture supports open communication.
“Feedback is a gift,” he said. “If you’re getting it, listen to it. If you’re not, understand why. Curiosity usually invites feedback.”
Andy also shared a personal story to illustrate how small choices early on in a role can have an impact on your long-term career.
“When I started my job in 1995 at Penn State, I went to lunch alone with a newspaper,” he said. “Three colleagues were nearby, and one invited me to join them. I said no. Do not do that.”
That moment, Andy explained, stayed with him for decades.
“That person was my future co-founder, John Ikenberry, and I still hear about it 30 years later,” he said.
Leah connected Andy’s story back to the importance of early introductions and mindset, referencing HigherEdJobs contributor Justin Zackal’s article “How to Introduce Yourself.”
“One thing that stuck with me is that introductions shouldn’t be about you — they should be about the person you’re meeting,” she said. Instead of reciting your resume, she suggested getting into the practice of asking questions about the other person’s challenges and priorities, then looking for ways your own skills and experience can support that work.
The Impact of Everyday Interactions
Kelly closed the conversation by returning to the importance of how new hires show up for others during those early interactions. Small moments, she noted, can leave lasting impressions — especially when someone is navigating a new environment.
“Try to remember people’s names,” Kelly said. “It makes people feel seen.”
Kelly encouraged new hires to approach their first weeks with intentional actions like remembering a colleague’s name, offering a smile, or taking a moment to connect. Those early gestures, she noted, can shape how relationships form.
To hear the full conversation, listen to the episode below.
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