New Hire Resources Your First Three to Six Months

You’re now months into your role, and your time is sure to be filled with familiar tasks and responsibilities along with potential new projects and goals. Your days are filled with doing what you were hired to do and while you may not feel like a new hire anymore, you do sometimes encounter new processes and systems that are unfamiliar. Below are just a few reminders, as well as new programs to introduce you to!

  • At your 90 days, you can expect to meet with your manager for your Introductory Period Review. Be prepared to discuss your progress in your first 90 days, opportunities for growth and improvement, and objectives for your first year here. It is a great idea to come with questions and ideas of your own, as well as constructive feedback on your first 90 days. 
  • Put some energy into understanding your benefits. At any point in time during your employment, you may experience changes in your personal or work life that affect your benefits. When a "life event" takes place, you may be able to make mid-year changes to some or all of your benefit elections. Review qualifying life events and what they mean to you on the Benefits Website.
  • Want to take a class at Westmont? Review the Employee Handbook for details on this great benefit.
  • Participate in Westmont’s Referral Program! Westmont College offers referral awards to employees who recommend a friend or family member to open staff positions. To refer someone, please request the referral form and return to Helen Park, Employment Coordinator. When a referred candidate is hired, the employee who made the referral will receive the award after the new employee begins. 
  • Spend some time learning about the Employee Assistance Program! Westmont is pleased to offer at no cost to employees the Employee Assistance Program, a confidential program dedicated to supporting the emotional health and well-being to employees and their families. This program is available to all regular employees who work at least 1000 hours a year.
  • If you haven't had opportunity to take a tour, enjoy the Ridley-Tree museum, or enjoy the beautiful gardens, take the time during lunch, after work, or on weekends to enjoy our surroundings!

Now that you're approaching six months in your role, your thoughts may shift to looking forward while identifying any "lessons learned" in your initial months on the job. These questions are most appropriately answered by your immediate supervisor:

  • What are the top priorities for our department for the next six months?
  • What are the measures of success for the projects/programs/services/work I am doing or managing? In other words, how will you and I both know if my contributions are effective and lead to success?
  • Moving forward, what ways can I best add value to our department?
  • In addition to reviewing your performance and mutually discuss possible areas for improvement during the introductory period review, be prepared for that meeting by clarifying:
    • What your key accomplishments were for your first few months; think of your primary contributions, or ways that students, co-workers, or others expressed gratitude to you for your efforts.
    • Ways you think your performance could be improved, and if there are specific tools or training that you think would be beneficial to you.
    • Identifying the specific goals and objectives, if applicable, that you have met.

Ready to reflect on your first year? See what to expect in Your First Year!