Don't Just Survive, Thrive: A Nigerian Graduate's Guide to the First 90 Days at a New Job

 

The job offer is signed, the congratulations have been received, and the first-day jitters are real. You’ve successfully navigated the challenges of university and the grueling job hunt. Now, a new challenge begins: your first 90 days.

Many companies view these first three months as an extended interview. It's a probation period where they assess not just your skills, but your attitude, your ability to learn, and your fit within the company culture.

This period is your single greatest opportunity to set the tone for your entire career at the company. Your goal is not just to survive and avoid making mistakes; it's to actively thrive and build a reputation as a valuable, reliable, and proactive team member. Here is your strategic guide, broken down into three crucial phases.

Phase 1: The First 30 Days – Be a Sponge

Your primary goal in the first month is to absorb as much information as possible. You are a detective learning the rules of a new world. Your mantra should be: Listen more than you speak.

• Understand the Culture: Pay attention to the unwritten rules. How do people communicate—via email, team chat, or in person? What's the dress code really like? How are meetings conducted?

• Identify Key People: Your boss is important, but so is the friendly IT guy who can fix your laptop, the experienced senior colleague who knows how everything works, and the administrative assistant who manages schedules. Learn their names and roles.

• Master the Basics: Focus on flawlessly executing the simple, foundational tasks you are given. Before asking a question, make a genuine effort to find the answer yourself (in company documents or past emails).

• Take Copious Notes: Write everything down. Names of people, project acronyms, key processes. This prevents you from asking the same question twice and shows you are diligent.

Phase 2: Days 31-60 – Be a Contributor

You've absorbed the basics; now it's time to start contributing more actively. The goal is to shift from a passive learner to a dependable doer.

• Take More Initiative: Don't always wait to be assigned a task. If you finish your work early, ask your manager, "I have some extra capacity. Is there a small project or task I can help with?"

• Seek Constructive Feedback: This is incredibly impressive to managers. Schedule a brief 15-minute chat and ask: "Now that I've been here for a month, I'd love to get your feedback. Are there any areas where I'm doing well, and what can I focus on improving over the next month?"

• Build Relationships: Move beyond just work-related talk with your colleagues. Ask them about their weekend during a lunch break. Offer to help if you see them struggling with a heavy workload. Be a positive presence.

• Find a "Small Win": Look for a small, persistent problem that you can solve. Is there a disorganized folder on the shared drive? Offer to organize it. Is there a repetitive task that could be made more efficient? Suggest a simple solution. This demonstrates initiative beyond your core duties.

Phase 3: Days 61-90 – Be Proactive

You now understand the rhythm of the company and your role. The final phase is about starting to think one step ahead.

• Anticipate Needs: Based on your understanding of projects, start to anticipate what will be needed next. If you know a weekly report is due on Friday, start gathering the data for it on Thursday without being asked.

• Deepen Your Knowledge: Begin to understand not just what you are doing, but why you are doing it. How does your work contribute to the team's larger goals and the company's bottom line?

• Solidify Your Reputation: Be the person who always meets deadlines, whose work is thorough, and who maintains a positive attitude. Reliability is one of the most valued traits in any organization.

• Prepare for Your 90-Day Review: Many companies have a formal review at the end of the probation period. Prepare for this meeting. Create a list of your accomplishments, the skills you've developed, and thoughtful goals for the next quarter.

Your first 90 days are your foundation. By being a sponge, a contributor, and finally, a proactive member of the team, you won't just pass your probation; you will build the launchpad for a successful and fulfilling career.