Job Doc

I just got promoted and I’m excited about my new position, but I’m also a little nervous. Is there anything I can do to ensure success in my new role? Elaine Varelas guides

Promotions are an exciting time, but they can also bring on some added stress in the beginning. Elaine Varelas guides on the best ways to be successful in your new role

Ask the Job Doc. Boston.com

January 5, 2022

Q: I’ve recently been promoted, but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed in my new position. I don’t know all the processes yet and some things I am learning on the fly. Is there anything I should do in order to ensure I succeed in my new position?

A: Starting a new position is always a bit scary at first. There are new processes to learn, new responsibilities to handle, and new people you will be reporting to. However, your promotion already does speak highly of your abilities and skillset. No one starts out knowing everything about a job and it is important to organize yourself and your responsibilities. Understanding what is being asked of you is vital to ensuring success in your new job.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Pretending you know everything when you don’t will only bring yourself unnecessary stress. Reach out to your supervisor and coworkers for clarification if you aren’t entirely sure about something. However, it is also important for you to learn some things on your own. Explore the new aspects of your position. If you’re now expected to use a program you haven’t experienced before, take some time to learn the system. Many programs have online teaching tools to help you familiarize yourself with the platform. Accessing these free services is a benefit to you and will only make you a stronger part of the organization.

Additionally, see if your organization will provide some extra training for you if you’re really feeling stuck. If that is not available, sometimes the best way to learn is to dive into things as they come. If your company has documented processes (standard operating procedures or SOPs), see if you can get access to those files so that you can read up on how certain things are done. Any internal communications or notes will only help you in your new position. You should also be keeping your own notes as you go through the training process and are exposed to the responsibilities of your new role. Whether you write them down physically or type your notes, keep them organized so that you can easily access them when you find yourself stuck. Having this information to refer to is key when you are learning many new things at once as it is very easy to forget a crucial piece when you’re first learning.

Most importantly though, don’t panic. Mistakes will happen, especially when you are brand new to a position. Acknowledging these mistakes and learning from them is essential to your growth. When a mistake happens, make sure to notify your supervisor and speak to them about how you could fix the problem or provide a solution. This shows you are engaged, responsible, and willing to learn from your mistakes. If the same problems keep showing up months later though, it may be time to assess yourself to understand why you’re still having these issues. You should be learning as you continue the journey and getting better at handling your new responsibilities as they become more familiar to you.

In the end, remember there is a reason you received the promotion. How you manage yourself, your work, and your coworkers has shown someone in leadership you are more than ready to take on this new role. Keep a cool head, remain organized, and you will very likely become comfortable with everything this new opportunity has to offer.