How do I survive my first month at a new job?
February 5, 2025
The first month sets the tone… so set the tone!
Starting a new job is exciting—but also overwhelming. You’re absorbing a firehose of information, meeting new people, and trying to figure out how everything fits together. One of the best ways to make sense of it all? Create a shared document to track what you’re learning.
Copy this template and document your first month!
A simple structure—Seeing, Hearing, Puzzles—can help you organize observations, clarify insights, and accelerate your onboarding.
📝 The “Seeing, Hearing, Puzzles” Framework
Why It Works
| Section | What It Captures |
|---|---|
| Seeing | Observations about customers, the product, and the overall experience of building and using it. |
| Hearing | Themes and insights from team conversations, onboarding sessions, and leadership messaging. |
| Puzzles | Gaps in understanding—things that don’t make sense yet but need clarity. |
This document fosters transparency and alignment, making it easier to surface questions, validate assumptions, and spark discussions with your manager and team. Over time, you’ll move items from “Puzzles” into knowledge and actionable insights.
👀 Seeing: What Stands Out?
- Are there common pain points customers mention?
- Does the product deliver what it promises?
- How does the team approach problem-solving and decision-making?
- What feels surprisingly easy or unnecessarily difficult?
💡 Pro Tip
Take screenshots, record demos, and capture key moments. Visuals help make insights more concrete.
🎧 Hearing: What’s the Buzz?
- Are certain topics discussed frequently? (e.g., “customer trust” “scaling challenges”)
- What’s the general mood—enthusiastic, cautious, overwhelmed?
- How do people describe success? Metrics, gut feel, or a mix?
- Are there unspoken tensions or misalignments?
🔍 Listen for Subtext
Pay attention to _how_ people say things—not just what they say. Enthusiasm, hesitation, or repeated concerns often signal deeper insights.
🧩 Puzzles: What Doesn’t Make Sense (Yet)?
- Why do certain processes exist? Legacy reasons or real constraints?
- What trade-offs were made in past product decisions?
- Who owns which responsibilities? Are there overlaps or gaps?
- What’s expected of me in the next 30, 60, 90 days?
🛠️ Turn Questions Into Conversations
Instead of waiting for clarity, actively seek it. Share your puzzles with your manager and peers to accelerate learning.
🔗 Why Sharing This Matters
By keeping this document updated and sharing it with your manager and team, you:
- Show initiative and structured thinking.
- Help surface inconsistencies or gaps that others may not see.
- Encourage open discussions that lead to better alignment.
Your first month isn’t just about learning—it’s about building trust and shaping how you contribute. This simple framework makes that process easier.
🚀 Ready to Try It?
Copy this template and create a new doc — and start filling it in. You'll be amazed at how much clarity it brings! And if you're up for it, maintain the doc for as long as you can, beyond your first 30 days!
✨ What’s one insight you picked up in your first month at a new job? Drop it in the comments!
Discover Another Post
The Happiness Lifecyle
I love my job! Not something you hear much. And the last few years have proven that companies aren’t looking out for...
Read More