Joining a new company is always stressful.
You’re faced with the task of learning:
- new tools,
- a new codebase,
- a new testing infrastructure,
- new errors, all of which are specific to this company. While onboarding videos and assignments provide a structured introduction, the real process of acclimating to a new environment often extends beyond the official onboarding period. For some, it might even take more than 6 months to feel fully integrated.
Relying solely on formal onboarding materials or interrupting busy colleagues for help can be inefficient and slow down your progress.
This is why it’s crucial to find an alternative method to quickly and effectively access essential company knowledge.
Use Slack/Teams (or any instant communication app) as your personal search engine Your company’s main instant communication platform holds vast amounts of informal knowledge and previous discussions that can accelerate your onboarding process.
By using the search function, you can find answers to many of your questions and errors without having to wait for responses from your new colleagues. Chances are, the questions you have were already asked by someone before you. This approach not only speeds up your ability to find information but also reduces redundancy in communication and helps you become self-sufficient faster.
Leveraging these communication tools effectively ensures that you’re not starting from scratch but building on the collective knowledge of your new organization, helping you ramp up and start performing sooner.