Questions to Ask at a New Job
Important questions to ask when starting a new job to understand expectations, company culture, and set yourself up for success.
1What are the expectations for my first 30, 60, and 90 days?
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What are the expectations for my first 30, 60, and 90 days?
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Why this works
Understanding early expectations helps you prioritize your work and know what success looks like in your first months.
2What are the key priorities for my role?
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What are the key priorities for my role?
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Why this works
Learning about priorities helps you focus on what matters most and demonstrate value quickly.
3How will my performance be measured and evaluated?
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How will my performance be measured and evaluated?
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Why this works
Understanding evaluation criteria helps you know what's expected and how to succeed in the role.
4Who are the key people I should connect with?
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Who are the key people I should connect with?
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Why this works
Learning about important relationships helps you build your network and understand the organizational structure.
5What tools and resources will I need to do my job?
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What tools and resources will I need to do my job?
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Why this works
Understanding resources helps you ensure you have everything needed to be productive and successful.
6What is the company culture like and how does it impact daily work?
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What is the company culture like and how does it impact daily work?
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Why this works
Learning about culture helps you understand how things work and how to navigate the workplace effectively.
7What are the communication norms and preferences?
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What are the communication norms and preferences?
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Why this works
Understanding communication styles helps you interact effectively with colleagues and managers.
8What training or onboarding will I receive?
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What training or onboarding will I receive?
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Why this works
Learning about training helps you know what support you'll get and what you need to learn on your own.
9What are the biggest challenges facing the team or department?
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What are the biggest challenges facing the team or department?
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Why this works
Understanding challenges helps you identify opportunities to contribute and add value quickly.
10What are the opportunities for growth and development?
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What are the opportunities for growth and development?
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Why this works
Learning about growth opportunities helps you plan your career development and understand advancement paths.
11How does decision-making work in this organization?
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How does decision-making work in this organization?
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Why this works
Understanding decision processes helps you know how to get buy-in and move projects forward.
12What are the work hours and flexibility expectations?
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What are the work hours and flexibility expectations?
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Why this works
Learning about schedule expectations helps you manage your time and understand work-life balance norms.
13How does the team typically collaborate?
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How does the team typically collaborate?
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Why this works
Understanding collaboration methods helps you work effectively with colleagues and contribute to team efforts.
14What are the unwritten rules I should know about?
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What are the unwritten rules I should know about?
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Why this works
Learning about implicit norms helps you avoid missteps and fit into the organizational culture.
15How can I best support my manager and team?
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How can I best support my manager and team?
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Why this works
Understanding support needs helps you demonstrate value and build strong working relationships.
16What projects or initiatives should I focus on first?
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What projects or initiatives should I focus on first?
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Why this works
Learning about initial focus areas helps you prioritize your work and make an immediate impact.
17How does feedback work in this organization?
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How does feedback work in this organization?
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Why this works
Understanding feedback processes helps you know how to give and receive input effectively.
18What are the company values and how are they lived?
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What are the company values and how are they lived?
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Why this works
Learning about values helps you understand what the organization prioritizes and how to align your work.
19What mistakes should I avoid as a new employee?
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What mistakes should I avoid as a new employee?
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Why this works
Understanding common pitfalls helps you avoid errors and start your tenure on the right foot.
20How can I make the most of my first few months?
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How can I make the most of my first few months?
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Why this works
Learning about success strategies helps you maximize your impact and establish yourself effectively.
Starting Your New Job Strong
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Effective Onboarding
Be Proactive
Take initiative to ask questions and learn about the organization rather than waiting for information to come to you.
Listen and Observe
Pay attention to how things work and what's valued before making suggestions or trying to change things.
Build Relationships
Focus on connecting with colleagues and building trust in your first months on the job.