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My secret to succeeding in a new job |
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In a recent UX Design subreddit I answered a question from a designer who had just landed a new position. They wanted to know what to expect and how to prepare so they would succeed in their new role:
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If you were me, how would you prepare... Could be courses, books, articles, YouTube videos, or specific topics to dive into. I have a IxDF subscription for what it’s worth.
What should I focus on... to make the best of it?
I get questions like this often from designers I coach all the time. And, the answer I gave to this designer was brief so I thought I would use this post to expand on it.
From my experience as a former hiring manager, the designers who are successful are the most intentional about their onboarding.
They don't just show up and wait for tasks; they have a plan.
Here is a checklist to guide your first 90 days and help you go from "the new designer" to an invaluable member of the team.
Phase 1: First 30 days (learn & listen)
The goal isn't to make an immediate impact. It's to absorb as much information as possible and build relationships.
Your primary job is to be a sponge.
- 1-on-1s with everyone. Schedule quick meetings with your direct manager, other designers, product managers, engineers, and key stakeholders. Ask them about their roles, what they're working on, and their biggest challenges. This is your user research. You're building relationships.
- Audit your product. Immerse yourself in the product, or platform. Use it, find its pain points, and explore its history. Take notes, document everything you learn. This is your initial heuristic analysis.
- Understand the "Why." Don't just ask about the projects; ask about the business goals behind them. Understand the metrics that matter and the company's long-term vision. This shows you're a strategic partner.
- Find quick wins. Look for small, low-risk opportunities to contribute. This might be cleaning up a design file, creating a new component in the design system, or providing feedback in a critique. I would always look for these when starting a new position, they're easy ways to build trust.
- Identify communication patterns. Pay attention to how the team communicates. Are they big on Slack, email, or synchronous meetings? Learn how others engage so you can fit in seamlessly. Find ways to participate.
Phase 2: Days 31-60 (contribute & collaborate)
After understanding how things work it's time to add value. Shift from listening to actively contributing.
- Lead a small project. Take ownership of a small, well-defined project. I would always look for these, even if it meant working outside of office hours. This could be a new feature, a minor redesign, or a usability test. It's your opportunity to demonstrate your process.
- Share your findings. Present your learnings from the first 30 days to your manager (maybe during you're 1:1) or to the team. Talk about what you've observed, where you see opportunities, and how you think you can help. This shows you've been paying attention.
- Get feedback. Actively seek feedback on your work even on small tasks. Show that you are open to critiques and eager to learn from your colleagues.
- Begin building your voice. Start participating more actively in design critiques and team meetings. Offer thoughtful questions based on your fresh perspective.
- Connect with key partners. Deepen your relationships with your product manager and engineering team. Align with them on project goals, timelines, and technical constraints. Keep an open line of communication.
Phase 3: Days 61-90 (own & impact)
By now you should be fully integrated into the team.
Your goal is to move from being a contributor to being a strategic owner of your work.
- Take ownership. Depending on your experience level, you should be managing a significant feature or part of the product. This is where you demonstrate your ability to drive design from start to finish.
- Propose something new. Based on your observations propose a new project or a small improvement that could have a big impact. This shows initiative and that you are thinking beyond your immediate tasks.
- Reflect on your progress. Schedule a check-in with your manager to review your first 90 days. Discuss what went well, what was challenging, and your goals for the next three to six months.
- Support a teammate. You're still new, but you can start helping others. Offer to pair up with a more junior designer or offer to teach something you've learned.
- Celebrate your wins. Take a moment to acknowledge how far you've come. The transition is hard. By now you've established yourself as a valuable and trusted member of the team. Congratulations. 🙌
Following this plan will set a positive tone for the rest of your tenure.
It shows your new company that you are a thoughtful, proactive, and strategic thinker, qualities that go far beyond just your design skills.
Thanks for reading, see you next week!
Anthony Faria
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