Mastering the first 3 months of a new safety job

Success in a new Safety job

As an experienced health and safety professional in a new job, your first 3 months are full of opportunities and challenges. How you handle this time can make a big difference in how well you do, the changes you can make, and the trust you build in your new workplace. Taking a planned approach to the initial probation period can help you to take ownership of your role, prove your worth and set you up for long-term success.

Day 1 - First impressions count

•  Get there early to make a good first impression.
•  Make sure you follow the organisation's dress code. If unknown, play it safe.
•  Come prepared with conversation starters and questions about your role, team and tasks. 
• Actively listen and take notes during welcome sessions.

Week 1 - Hit the ground running

• Clarify immediate expectations and goals with your manager
•  Introduce yourself to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Review company handbook and policies.
•  Ask for access to key documentation, processes & systems.
•  Watch how the team works, communicates and makes decisions. 

Month 1 - Get embedded

•  Schedule meetings with any core stakeholders you haven’t met.
•  Ask your manager for regular feedback.
•  Study the company culture, values and ensure goal alignment.
•  Attend team meetings or events to build working relationships.
•  Review practices and look for areas to add value.
•  Be kind to yourself. It’s tough settling into a new role.
  

Month 2 - Find your rhythm

•   Gain a deeper knowledge of broader strategic objectives & HSE’s supporting role.
•   Identify quick wins to demonstrate your capabilities and work ethic. 
•   Seek out valuable resources, tools or partnerships to support HSE initiatives.
•   Look for ways to increase efficiencies or improve processes.
•   Identify any skill gaps and create a professional development plan for yourself.
  

Month 3 - Increase your impact

•   Look back and acknowledge your progress over the past 3 months.
•   Update your goals and priorities based on what you now know about the jobs. 
•   Celebrate wins and keep building positive momentum.
  

Ongoing success

•  Build deeper connections through knowledge sharing, volunteering for tasks, projects or committees.
•  Look for stretch opportunities to enhance your skills. 
• Take on a high-visibility project to increase influence

The first three months can be both energising and overwhelming. It's important to maintain connections with your professional community during this transition. This includes leveraging The Safe Step team as a sounding board. It's also critical to stay plugged into the broader Health & Safety community. Keep connected through broader networking opportunities and resources like signing up for The Safe Step's webinars and e-newsletters.

Good luck!

The first 3 months are about nailing the fundamentals, but your professional progression is an ongoing journey. Develop a growth mindset, embrace intellectual curiosity and build resilience to keep advancing in your career. The world of Health, Safety, Environment and Wellbeing is constantly evolving - so must you.

By taking ownership of your onboarding, you can quickly demonstrate your value to a new organisation and lay the foundations for long-term success in the role.