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Sink Or Swim!: New Job. New Boss. 12 Weeks to Get It Right.
In today's job market, getting to "yes" doesn't mean getting a break. Like most new employees today, you'll probably get thrown into your new position with little or no orientation. You'll have to "sink or swim" in the first 90 days-or face termination.
No worries. Sink or Swim shows you how to be a top performer from day one.
"Everyone starting a new job should have this book under their arm at work, next to their plate at dinner, and under their pillow at night." -Jeffrey Fox, author of the national bestseller, How to Become CEO
With week-by-week charts, and straightforward, no B.S. information, Sink or Swim enables you to decode the company's culture, discern what your priorities should be, and survive and thrive in your first twelve weeks-no matter what industry you're in.
No worries. Sink or Swim shows you how to be a top performer from day one.
"Everyone starting a new job should have this book under their arm at work, next to their plate at dinner, and under their pillow at night." -Jeffrey Fox, author of the national bestseller, How to Become CEO
With week-by-week charts, and straightforward, no B.S. information, Sink or Swim enables you to decode the company's culture, discern what your priorities should be, and survive and thrive in your first twelve weeks-no matter what industry you're in.
- GenresNonfictionBusiness
316 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2006
4 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 1, 2015
Simply written in layman's terms, this short book excerpt gives insight on how to succeed in a new job, regardless of the industry. Pretty basic - but a good reminder of the "dos and donts", starting from week one to week twelve in the employee's new role. The main takeaway from the book is the employee has about three months to really start doing well in the job, and he or she will be assessed based on what first impressions occurred in that time period.
April 3, 2021
Takeaways:
Twenty-five percent of new employees are fired during their first 90 days. Don’t be one of them. Know what you want to accomplish each week.
As a new employee, demonstrate your knowledge by asking good questions and providing informed answers.
An employee must set goals, manage time, pursue knowledge, be a team player and project a professional image.
Try to show initiative, develop new talents and skills, and balance your short- and long-term goals.
Learn all you can. Acquire “interpersonal knowledge,” “professional knowledge,” “general knowledge” and “special interest” knowledge.
To reach your goals, be realistic, committed and determined.
Understand the importance of time.
Team participation helps you develop chemistry with your co-workers.
You can’t complete a project without the proper resources.
Beware of “scope creep” – when your project gets funneled in a new direction because goals have changed.
Summary:
Changing Relationships
The employer-employee relationship has changed dramatically in the course of the past 40 years. Long gone are the days when paternalistic companies hired employees and expected them to stay on the payroll until they turned 65. Workers don’t expect lifetime security anymore and they have little tolerance for job dissatisfaction. Companies recognize the need to offer more than attractive salaries and benefits to retain their most talented people. Good companies create educational and advancement opportunities for their employees.
You own your own career.
Regardless of your experience, you are in charge of your destiny. Looking out for opportunities, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, identifying the qualities that make you an asset to your company, and learning how and when to get help are your responsibilities starting with your very first day on the job. From the outset, every employee should try to improve in these areas:
Goal setting – Jobs offer opportunities to achieve long-term goals, but you have to be realistic, committed and determined. Meeting deadlines, producing error-free reports and maintaining an upbeat attitude are positive steps. You also need a plan, because goals are not reached accidentally. You should be able to measure your progress incrementally. Break each of your goals down into achievable component parts. And don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Time management – If you are interested in being regarded as a focused professional, understand the importance of time and take every deadline seriously. Managing your time requires careful planning. At the start of the week, put your upcoming appointments and assignments on your calendar. Estimate how much time you’ll need for each task. Always be prepared for unexpected meetings, assignments or complications that will disrupt your perfectly planned schedule. And, build in some social time.
Engage in continuous learning – Knowledge makes you more powerful and desirable. Having the information other people want makes you a “go-to” person. As a new employee, you’re responsible for asking questions, and learning about your company and your industry. Be knowledgeable about your competitors. Learn everything you can about a particular area that interests you or relates to your job. Demonstrate your knowledge. Ask good questions and provide informed answers. Don’t forget that you were hired for your skills and your potential. Exchanging ideas and information also will help you develop professional relationships. Even though you are new, don’t be afraid to contribute to a business conversation – as long as you’re not overstepping your bounds.
Team participation – Establishing solid relationships with your co-workers is essential. Selfish know-it-alls do not have promising futures. Act like that, and your co-workers will freeze you out and disregard your input. Instead, prove yourself as a team player right from the outset. Be available to help your co-workers, even it only means listening. Conversely, be quick to seek the counsel and advice of more experienced co-workers. Even as a new employee, you can act as both a coach and a player.
Develop a professional reputation and image – Build this skill by going out of your way to meet new people. Communicate clearly. Don’t walk out of meetings confused; get the information you need. Offer your input and opinion when pertinent. Be aware of your body language and how it reinforces what you are saying. Dress professionally. Make every presentation count, whether on the phone or in person. Words, actions and appearance all contribute to your professional reputation. Always give your best.
Swing into Action
Your first 90 days in your new job are critical. Your employer is watching to see how well you acclimate and perform. Twenty-five percent of newly hired employees do not make it through this probationary period, but you can improve your chances of survival by sticking to this 12-week plan:
Week 1
Being excited and nervous is perfectly normal. Your goal in the first week is to explore your environment. You’ll probably have an orientation session with other new employees, so introduce yourself to the people who sit nearby. Then switch gears and focus on your job responsibilities. Arrange to meet your immediate supervisor as soon as possible. Make sure the equipment at your desk works. Begin your time-management plan by putting together a schedule. Gather information about your company’s history, and its current products and services. Meet your team members and those in other groups who work closely with your team. Observe the dress code, and the frequency and length of casual conversations. When the week is over, carefully reflect on what you have seen and heard.
Week 2
Now that you are familiar with your surroundings, begin focusing on your job, and how you fit into the department and the organization. Try to develop a broader perspective on your task and what it means to the company. List your primary responsibilities. Prioritize your work assignments and note how long it takes to complete them. Don’t lose track of other obligations, such as meetings. Don’t spend too much time in casual conversations. You’ll also begin getting an idea of knowledge you’ll have to acquire.
Week 3
Your workload will increase. When you get an assignment, ask yourself the following questions: What should my end product look like? What will make it successful? When is the deadline? Projects require resources such as equipment or help from colleagues. How will your deadline be affected if the resources aren’t available? Ask your co-workers if anyone has done a similar project in the past. Ask to see it and find out how management received it. If feasible, build upon the old project. Keep a record of your work. Try to avoid being tied up in long or multiple meetings. Maintain communication with your manager and provide a status report on your assignments. Let your teammates know what you are doing.
Week 4
By now you should be immersed in projects and developing a better sense of how much time you need. Make sure your projects are headed in the right direction according to schedule. Be on the lookout for “scope creep,” which occurs when higher-ups channel a project in a new direction because its goals have changed or were not accurately defined in the first place. Ask for clarification if you see this happening. If the project has changed, determine whether you need more time or resources, and communicate your concerns to your manager. Continue to build your social relationships.
Week 5
By now, you’ve probably started to appreciate the informal organizational aspects of your job. Learning your company’s formal and informal rules will help you understand how it operates. Once you’ve unlocked the code, you’ll understand how to navigate within the organization. This is important in decision making and goal setting – particularly in shepherding your projects. Another important factor to examine is time. Are you working too fast or too slow? How long does it take other departments or people to complete a project? How does that timeframe compare to yours? You also may begin to notice that some people are better informed about company events or trends. Get to know them.
Week 6
Focus on your strengths and determine how to stand out in your organization. Take note of new skills you need to acquire as part of your professional development. Consider opportunities within the company that fit your potential areas of specialization. Ask team members about your job performance. Keep the lines of communication open so you can offer input and receive feedback. Sometimes, a new employee who makes suggestions or presents ideas for new projects may seem grandiose or out of sync, so beware. Every company culture is different, and regards new people and change its own way.
Week 7
Be aware of how you are developing and progressing. Keep networking. Do you know the right people, those with access to the information you need to do your job? If not, work on new relationships and assess the strength of your current relationships. Track how many times a week you meet with people. Having lunch or coffee with co-workers is a good way to use your time. Nurture relationships, since it is harder to start a new network than to reinforce an existing one.
Week 8
At the two-month mark, look forward and set new goals for your six-month anniversary. Select your goals carefully and ask yourself why those milestones are important. Do you want to increase your visibility or solve a major problem? You won’t reach your goals unless you plan your journey, so take the time to determine what resources you need and what new knowledge you must acquire. Be realistic. Envision how good it would feel to achieve your objectives. At the same time that you are looking ahead, keep a close eye on your projects and assignments. Always try to balance your future goals with your current priorities.
Week 9
Run a self-check. You may have to make a few mid-course corrections if you have strayed from the goals you set during your first few weeks on the job. Make sure you have a structured plan for meeting your goals. Are you comfortable with the daily routine you’ve established at work? Do you leave home on time and avoid the stress of speeding through traffic? Do you arrive at the office a few minutes early to gather yourself before the onslaught of phone calls and e-mails? Do you have the necessary resources? And, do you understand successful time management?
Week 10
By now, you should have a feel for how the company works and some ability to unravel its idiosyncrasies. What is the company’s attitude toward time? How does it make and enforce rules? You may have noticed the subcultures inside the company, how information is disseminated, who knows what and who has the most accurate information. Apply these insights to your team. Certain people should now be emerging as the most effective leaders regardless of their particular styles. As part of this new awareness, you should be able to see what your company really considers important and what it rewards.
Week 11
Hopefully, your co-workers have accepted you, you’ve learned your way around the company and you’ve picked up a better idea of its values. Maybe you’ve even made friends with a few colleagues. You also should have established a social and professional network. Now is the time for some serious self-assessment. You’ve finished several assignments, met deadlines and received feedback. You have developed your own style for completing projects. Is your system effective or does it require a little tweaking? Have you established a reputation as a cooperative team member? You will need the support of your co-workers if you want to move ahead.
Week 12
Now you’ve developed and tested your skills, so you can set goals for your one-year anniversary. Since it’s still nine months away, establish interim shorter-range goals so you can make any corrections and still meet your internal deadline. Ask your teammates for their input and suggestions. Seek a mentor or guide. Aggressively pursue the new skills or resources you’ll need to advance your career. Assess your professional image, and see how you could strengthen or correct it. Fine tune the messages you project about your skills and ability as a problem solver.
Coaching skills are a natural extension of your collaboration skills.
Congratulations! You survived your probationary period, so you’ve earned some recognition and praise. Your ability to acquire skills and knowledge will provide the basis for your future professional development. Reflect on what you have accomplished. Then, keep looking ahead. Your whole career is ahead of you.
Twenty-five percent of new employees are fired during their first 90 days. Don’t be one of them. Know what you want to accomplish each week.
As a new employee, demonstrate your knowledge by asking good questions and providing informed answers.
An employee must set goals, manage time, pursue knowledge, be a team player and project a professional image.
Try to show initiative, develop new talents and skills, and balance your short- and long-term goals.
Learn all you can. Acquire “interpersonal knowledge,” “professional knowledge,” “general knowledge” and “special interest” knowledge.
To reach your goals, be realistic, committed and determined.
Understand the importance of time.
Team participation helps you develop chemistry with your co-workers.
You can’t complete a project without the proper resources.
Beware of “scope creep” – when your project gets funneled in a new direction because goals have changed.
Summary:
Changing Relationships
The employer-employee relationship has changed dramatically in the course of the past 40 years. Long gone are the days when paternalistic companies hired employees and expected them to stay on the payroll until they turned 65. Workers don’t expect lifetime security anymore and they have little tolerance for job dissatisfaction. Companies recognize the need to offer more than attractive salaries and benefits to retain their most talented people. Good companies create educational and advancement opportunities for their employees.
You own your own career.
Regardless of your experience, you are in charge of your destiny. Looking out for opportunities, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, identifying the qualities that make you an asset to your company, and learning how and when to get help are your responsibilities starting with your very first day on the job. From the outset, every employee should try to improve in these areas:
Goal setting – Jobs offer opportunities to achieve long-term goals, but you have to be realistic, committed and determined. Meeting deadlines, producing error-free reports and maintaining an upbeat attitude are positive steps. You also need a plan, because goals are not reached accidentally. You should be able to measure your progress incrementally. Break each of your goals down into achievable component parts. And don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Time management – If you are interested in being regarded as a focused professional, understand the importance of time and take every deadline seriously. Managing your time requires careful planning. At the start of the week, put your upcoming appointments and assignments on your calendar. Estimate how much time you’ll need for each task. Always be prepared for unexpected meetings, assignments or complications that will disrupt your perfectly planned schedule. And, build in some social time.
Engage in continuous learning – Knowledge makes you more powerful and desirable. Having the information other people want makes you a “go-to” person. As a new employee, you’re responsible for asking questions, and learning about your company and your industry. Be knowledgeable about your competitors. Learn everything you can about a particular area that interests you or relates to your job. Demonstrate your knowledge. Ask good questions and provide informed answers. Don’t forget that you were hired for your skills and your potential. Exchanging ideas and information also will help you develop professional relationships. Even though you are new, don’t be afraid to contribute to a business conversation – as long as you’re not overstepping your bounds.
Team participation – Establishing solid relationships with your co-workers is essential. Selfish know-it-alls do not have promising futures. Act like that, and your co-workers will freeze you out and disregard your input. Instead, prove yourself as a team player right from the outset. Be available to help your co-workers, even it only means listening. Conversely, be quick to seek the counsel and advice of more experienced co-workers. Even as a new employee, you can act as both a coach and a player.
Develop a professional reputation and image – Build this skill by going out of your way to meet new people. Communicate clearly. Don’t walk out of meetings confused; get the information you need. Offer your input and opinion when pertinent. Be aware of your body language and how it reinforces what you are saying. Dress professionally. Make every presentation count, whether on the phone or in person. Words, actions and appearance all contribute to your professional reputation. Always give your best.
Swing into Action
Your first 90 days in your new job are critical. Your employer is watching to see how well you acclimate and perform. Twenty-five percent of newly hired employees do not make it through this probationary period, but you can improve your chances of survival by sticking to this 12-week plan:
Week 1
Being excited and nervous is perfectly normal. Your goal in the first week is to explore your environment. You’ll probably have an orientation session with other new employees, so introduce yourself to the people who sit nearby. Then switch gears and focus on your job responsibilities. Arrange to meet your immediate supervisor as soon as possible. Make sure the equipment at your desk works. Begin your time-management plan by putting together a schedule. Gather information about your company’s history, and its current products and services. Meet your team members and those in other groups who work closely with your team. Observe the dress code, and the frequency and length of casual conversations. When the week is over, carefully reflect on what you have seen and heard.
Week 2
Now that you are familiar with your surroundings, begin focusing on your job, and how you fit into the department and the organization. Try to develop a broader perspective on your task and what it means to the company. List your primary responsibilities. Prioritize your work assignments and note how long it takes to complete them. Don’t lose track of other obligations, such as meetings. Don’t spend too much time in casual conversations. You’ll also begin getting an idea of knowledge you’ll have to acquire.
Week 3
Your workload will increase. When you get an assignment, ask yourself the following questions: What should my end product look like? What will make it successful? When is the deadline? Projects require resources such as equipment or help from colleagues. How will your deadline be affected if the resources aren’t available? Ask your co-workers if anyone has done a similar project in the past. Ask to see it and find out how management received it. If feasible, build upon the old project. Keep a record of your work. Try to avoid being tied up in long or multiple meetings. Maintain communication with your manager and provide a status report on your assignments. Let your teammates know what you are doing.
Week 4
By now you should be immersed in projects and developing a better sense of how much time you need. Make sure your projects are headed in the right direction according to schedule. Be on the lookout for “scope creep,” which occurs when higher-ups channel a project in a new direction because its goals have changed or were not accurately defined in the first place. Ask for clarification if you see this happening. If the project has changed, determine whether you need more time or resources, and communicate your concerns to your manager. Continue to build your social relationships.
Week 5
By now, you’ve probably started to appreciate the informal organizational aspects of your job. Learning your company’s formal and informal rules will help you understand how it operates. Once you’ve unlocked the code, you’ll understand how to navigate within the organization. This is important in decision making and goal setting – particularly in shepherding your projects. Another important factor to examine is time. Are you working too fast or too slow? How long does it take other departments or people to complete a project? How does that timeframe compare to yours? You also may begin to notice that some people are better informed about company events or trends. Get to know them.
Week 6
Focus on your strengths and determine how to stand out in your organization. Take note of new skills you need to acquire as part of your professional development. Consider opportunities within the company that fit your potential areas of specialization. Ask team members about your job performance. Keep the lines of communication open so you can offer input and receive feedback. Sometimes, a new employee who makes suggestions or presents ideas for new projects may seem grandiose or out of sync, so beware. Every company culture is different, and regards new people and change its own way.
Week 7
Be aware of how you are developing and progressing. Keep networking. Do you know the right people, those with access to the information you need to do your job? If not, work on new relationships and assess the strength of your current relationships. Track how many times a week you meet with people. Having lunch or coffee with co-workers is a good way to use your time. Nurture relationships, since it is harder to start a new network than to reinforce an existing one.
Week 8
At the two-month mark, look forward and set new goals for your six-month anniversary. Select your goals carefully and ask yourself why those milestones are important. Do you want to increase your visibility or solve a major problem? You won’t reach your goals unless you plan your journey, so take the time to determine what resources you need and what new knowledge you must acquire. Be realistic. Envision how good it would feel to achieve your objectives. At the same time that you are looking ahead, keep a close eye on your projects and assignments. Always try to balance your future goals with your current priorities.
Week 9
Run a self-check. You may have to make a few mid-course corrections if you have strayed from the goals you set during your first few weeks on the job. Make sure you have a structured plan for meeting your goals. Are you comfortable with the daily routine you’ve established at work? Do you leave home on time and avoid the stress of speeding through traffic? Do you arrive at the office a few minutes early to gather yourself before the onslaught of phone calls and e-mails? Do you have the necessary resources? And, do you understand successful time management?
Week 10
By now, you should have a feel for how the company works and some ability to unravel its idiosyncrasies. What is the company’s attitude toward time? How does it make and enforce rules? You may have noticed the subcultures inside the company, how information is disseminated, who knows what and who has the most accurate information. Apply these insights to your team. Certain people should now be emerging as the most effective leaders regardless of their particular styles. As part of this new awareness, you should be able to see what your company really considers important and what it rewards.
Week 11
Hopefully, your co-workers have accepted you, you’ve learned your way around the company and you’ve picked up a better idea of its values. Maybe you’ve even made friends with a few colleagues. You also should have established a social and professional network. Now is the time for some serious self-assessment. You’ve finished several assignments, met deadlines and received feedback. You have developed your own style for completing projects. Is your system effective or does it require a little tweaking? Have you established a reputation as a cooperative team member? You will need the support of your co-workers if you want to move ahead.
Week 12
Now you’ve developed and tested your skills, so you can set goals for your one-year anniversary. Since it’s still nine months away, establish interim shorter-range goals so you can make any corrections and still meet your internal deadline. Ask your teammates for their input and suggestions. Seek a mentor or guide. Aggressively pursue the new skills or resources you’ll need to advance your career. Assess your professional image, and see how you could strengthen or correct it. Fine tune the messages you project about your skills and ability as a problem solver.
Coaching skills are a natural extension of your collaboration skills.
Congratulations! You survived your probationary period, so you’ve earned some recognition and praise. Your ability to acquire skills and knowledge will provide the basis for your future professional development. Reflect on what you have accomplished. Then, keep looking ahead. Your whole career is ahead of you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2019
A helpful guide for how to succeed in a new job, with planning and tips broken down week by week for the first three months. Is it repetitive? Yes, a bit. Is it supportive and full of key reminders? Yes.
March 14, 2016
In my limited experience the first twelve weeks at a job are never this easy or straightforward. You don't get to go in and follow these neat and easy steps. I spent the first twelve weeks at my new job sitting in a cubicle waiting for clearance and computer access.
I am sure that in some places this would work well, in finance or in offices where you aren't part of the bureaucracy, but in most places it's just not this neat. Still, many good ideas on showing up, showing willing, and making a good start.
I am sure that in some places this would work well, in finance or in offices where you aren't part of the bureaucracy, but in most places it's just not this neat. Still, many good ideas on showing up, showing willing, and making a good start.
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