You worked hard to get here. You finished the interviews, accepted the offer, and walked into your new IT job with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Now what? The first 90 days in any IT role can set the tone for your growth, confidence, and long-term success. But nobody hands you a guide when you start.
Your degree, certifications, and projects helped you land the job. Now, soft skills, habits, and communication will matter just as much. You don’t have to prove everything right away, but you do have to show you can learn, adapt, and contribute.
Understand Your Environment
Start by observing everything. Take notes. Listen to how people talk about systems, tools, problems, and each other. Figure out who reports to whom. Learn which tools are used daily. Watch how tickets flow, how priorities are set, and how incidents are handled.
Ask your manager for a clear rundown of your team’s responsibilities. Ask how your work connects to the broader organization. If you understand where you fit in, you can focus on adding value without guessing.
Many systems will be unfamiliar. Some tools may look different from what you learned. That’s normal. Make a list of things you need to learn and work through it one piece at a time. Don’t try to master everything in the first week.
Learn Names, Faces, and Functions
Relationships matter in IT. You’ll need help from coworkers, admins, developers, and project managers. Start learning who does what. Introduce yourself to people. Ask what they work on. Show genuine interest.
Don’t just stick to your team. If you’re in support, talk to someone in security. If you’re in networking, meet a developer. These connections will help you when issues span multiple departments—and they will.
Write down names and roles if you need to. Nobody expects you to remember everyone on day one, but making the effort shows you care.
Ask Clear, Specific Questions
You won’t know everything. You’re not expected to. But how you ask for help matters. Instead of saying, “I don’t get it,” describe exactly where you’re stuck. Instead of waiting until a task is overdue, ask questions early.
Managers notice who asks thoughtful questions. They also notice who hides confusion until it’s too late. If you’re unsure about something, say so. But show you’ve tried to solve it first. That balance shows initiative and honesty.
Document Everything You Learn
You’ll be flooded with information. Document processes, tools, commands, shortcuts, and access steps. Use a notebook, OneNote, or a private wiki. If you fix something, write down how you did it.
Documentation helps you avoid repeating mistakes. It also speeds up your onboarding. Over time, it becomes a resource you can share with new team members.
If your team lacks clear documentation, start creating it. That kind of initiative is rare and valuable.
Watch for Common Problems and Patterns
Every IT environment has recurring issues. A certain system always crashes. A certain user forgets their password every Monday. A report fails at the same time each month.
Learn these patterns. They reveal where your team spends the most time. Understanding recurring problems helps you respond faster. It also helps you think about long-term solutions.
If you can reduce a daily issue by automating a task or improving documentation, your value increases.
Manage Your Time With Structure
Your first few weeks may feel chaotic. People will assign tasks, send tickets, and ask for help. You’ll have meetings, troubleshooting, and onboarding assignments all mixed together.
Block time each day to work through tasks without distraction. Review your task list every morning. Set simple goals like “finish reviewing ticket system” or “read two KB articles.”
Use a calendar to stay organized. Mark deadlines and meetings. Keep track of what you’ve done. Time management makes you look reliable.
Handle Mistakes Professionally
You will make mistakes. Everyone does. What matters is how you respond.
Own it. Let your team know what happened. Share what you learned. Suggest how to avoid it next time.
Trying to hide mistakes erodes trust. Admitting them shows maturity. Fixing them shows growth.
IT professionals are judged less by perfection and more by accountability.
Communicate With Purpose
Keep your manager updated on what you’re learning and where you’re contributing. You don’t need to share everything, but a quick status email or summary during a one-on-one helps your manager advocate for you.
Ask for feedback. Don’t wait for formal reviews. Ask questions like:
- Am I focusing on the right priorities?
- How can I improve how I document or troubleshoot?
- Is there anything I should approach differently?
Feedback keeps you aligned with expectations. It also shows you’re invested in doing your job well.
Take Ownership of One Thing
Find one task, tool, or process you can own. Maybe it’s the patch schedule. Maybe it’s onboarding new laptops. Maybe it’s cleaning up tickets or helping document known issues.
Taking ownership shows initiative. It gives people a reason to trust you. It also gives you a clear area to improve and eventually lead.
Start small. Build confidence. Then ask for more.
Pay Attention to Culture
Every company has unspoken rules. How do people communicate? Do they email or use chat? Do meetings start on time? Are questions welcomed or seen as interruptions?
Watch and learn. Adapting to the culture makes collaboration easier. If you’re not sure what’s normal, ask a teammate you trust.
You don’t have to copy everyone. But understanding the culture helps you navigate it.
Keep Building Your Skills Outside of Work
Onboarding will keep you busy, but make time to keep learning. Set aside a few hours each week to study topics related to your role. If you’re in support, read about scripting. If you’re in networking, learn about cloud basics.
Stay curious. Certifications, courses, and home labs help you grow faster. They also prepare you for bigger responsibilities.
Ask your manager which skills they recommend. Showing interest in growth makes a strong impression.
Watch How the Team Solves Problems
Technical skill matters, but teamwork, attitude, and process matter too. Watch how senior team members work through tickets. Pay attention to how they communicate during incidents.
Do they ask good questions? Do they stay calm under pressure? Do they explain things clearly to non-technical users?
These habits make a difference. Learn from them.
Know What Success Looks Like
Ask your manager: What does success look like in my first 90 days? What do you want to see from me?
That conversation helps you focus. It also gives your manager a way to measure your progress.
If expectations are unclear, you’ll waste energy guessing. Getting clarity early helps you deliver results that matter.
Track Your Progress
Each week, list what you learned, what you completed, and where you need help. This helps you stay motivated and see your growth. It also gives you talking points for check-ins.
When your 90 days are up, you’ll have a record of your progress. That’s useful during reviews or when asking for more responsibility.
Progress compounds. Keep track of it.
Be Reliable
The best thing you can do in your first 90 days is show up consistently. Respond to messages. Meet your deadlines. Follow through.
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. Just be someone people can count on.
That reputation opens doors later.
