If I could start my career all over again, I would begin by asking the experts directly. I would ask them how, when, where, and then beg for all the secrets to make sure my resume gets to the top of the pile. So, when I thought about writing a career column for Cedi Talk, that is precisely what I decided to do. Through a series of articles, we will interrogate human resource, people and hiring experts in Ghana. The hope is that their insights will bring some clarity to how you look for opportunities and secure a job.

So, you got the job, what next?  You want to put your best foot forward, make the right impression, and get things done.  For this article, I interviewed a woman who spent about two years recruiting for a consulting startup.  She has engaged with dozens of potential employees and knows what it takes to get the most out of the first month in a new position. Recently, she moved into a new position herself.

Keshia Fredua-Mensah is a German-Ghanaian talent recruiter and manager with a passion for consulting and private sector development in Africa. She has previous experience in higher education management, international relations, and social justice. Keshia loves to connect people with opportunities and to empower and excite young talent to positively contribute to their environment.

How did you find your first full-time position?

Serendipity: I came to Accra to temporarily work on a conference and was presented with the unique opportunity to join a friend’s startup.

What is the first thing a new employee should do at their new company?

As a people’s person, I would always advise new team members to build strong relationships with their new colleagues as soon as possible. While there is a lot to learn and absorb in the first few days of a new job, one should not underestimate the importance of a first impression. Building good and friendly relationships with colleagues of all ranks based on trust, respect, and mutual understanding will go a long way. I recently started a new position myself and in my first week was lucky to be invited to a dinner at the place of one of my new co-workers. Accepting the invitation and mingling with new colleagues in such a setting was great and brought us closer together. You don’t want to miss out on any such opportunities.

What should a new employee focus on for the first year?  Does it depend on the industry/ role?

There is always a lot to learn, and one should not expect to be great at everything from day one. Take your first year as a way to explore your new role, to educate yourself on relevant topics and to build great relationships within the team. You will notice how your confidence and level of expertise will grow significantly to the extent that you are trusted with more responsibilities by your superiors and peers. I believe this to be the same across all industries and functions.

When should new employees have a conversation about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Objective Key Results (OKRs), targets, etc.?

I will say as soon as possible. Ideally, you are familiar with the KPIs and OKRs that determine the success of your role while you are still in the hiring process. That way, you know exactly what you sign up for, and the hiring manager can test your ability and potential to achieve important goals. Don’t be shy to ask the question “What will make this role a success?” already in the interview process and do bring it up again later on the job if you feel there is not enough clarity.

Well-defined objectives and desired outcomes should guide your work from the beginning and should be reviewed periodically together with your manager to assess your performance and the success of your role or even to rethink and revise them.

What should a new employee keep in mind about probation?

See probation not just as a way for you to prove to your new employer that they made the right decision in hiring you, but also as a way to confirm that the company is a good fit for you. It is therefore super important that you remain authentic and honest throughout, especially to yourself.

Another thing to keep in mind about probation is that employers don’t (and shouldn’t) expect you to do everything the right way from the onset. What they will be looking out for, however, is if you are a quick learner, adaptable, fit in the team and are able to achieve first successes. That way, they will be able to see your potential to achieve even more in the months or years to come. Don’t put too much pressure onto yourself trying to be ahead of your KPIs and OKRs. Focus on developing the right attitude: a good portion of curiosity, good work ethics and taking ownership of your tasks will get you far!

Any last thoughts you want to share?

I want to stress again the importance of authenticity. What I mean by that is that while you might be under a lot of pressure during the first months of a new job, and you might even think that you need superpowers to enchant the new people around you, you should remain honest and present yourself in a genuine way while doing the best you can. This is important because, for one, people will be relying on you and your consistency, far beyond the first months of you starting a job; and two, because you don’t want to be trapped in a situation where you will not be able to perform up to standards because your heart and mind are not in tune. Be your best self – this will be enough!

I wish everyone venturing into a new job a wonderful new beginning!