From New Hire to Valuable Team Member: Tips to Make an Impact

“We are all individually unique.”

Starting a new job can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I remember back then, I had always dreamed of working in the Enterprise Centre building in Makati City. Every day, I used to pass by Paseo de Roxas, wondering what it felt like working there.

Eventually, that dream turned into reality.

I came across a job opportunity on D&V Philippines’ LinkedIn page. They were looking for a Financial Analyst, and to my surprise, it aligned with my previous experience as a Finance Manager.

When I finally stepped into the office, it wasn’t what I expected. It was a small space, with just over 10 employees, simple tables, and a pantry.

But what stood out wasn’t the office. It was the people.

Read: The Importance of Mentorship Programs in Accounting Firms  

Finding Your Place in a New Environment 

Most of my new colleagues back then had strong accounting backgrounds. Many were already experienced, and at that time, I was still finding my footing. I even moved from a managerial role to a junior position, which made me question how I could fit in.

That kind of experience is more common than you think.

Many new hires go through this same feeling of uncertainty, especially during their adjustment period in a new environment like D&V Philippines, where teams support global clients through finance and accounting services. It’s a fast-paced environment, and expectations can feel high but more often than not, that pressure comes from within as you adjust, learn, and want to do well.

At some point, you may find yourself asking:

1. Am I doing enough?

2. Can I keep up with the team?

3. How do I prove that I belong here?

From what I’ve seen, this pressure doesn’t always come from others. Most of the time, it comes from within.

And that’s why it’s important to pause and reset your mindset early on. Before you focus on proving yourself, you must first understand your role, expectations, and how you can grow as you growth through your chosen career path.

What New Hires Should Focus on in Their First 90 Days 

Starting a new role often comes with the pressure to perform right away. But from my experience, a strong start is not about doing everything at once. It’s about focusing on the right things early on. Below are some of things you should keep in mind:

1. Be clear on your role and expectations

The first thing I always tell new hires is to understand why they were hired.

• What is expected from you?

• What are your main responsibilities?

• What does success look like in your role?

These are things that are usually discussed during interviews, so it’s important to go back to that. When you are clear on your role, it becomes easier to stay focused and deliver.

2. Manage your expectations

Another common mistake I’ve seen is setting expectations too high at the beginning.

New hires are usually very eager. They come in with a lot of ideas and want to achieve a lot right away. But when things don’t go as planned, they start to feel discouraged.

• Don’t rush the process

• Give yourself time to adjust

• Understand the role before making decisions

It’s important to stay open and allow yourself to grow into the role.

3. Focus on learning first

You don’t need to prove everything on your first day, what matters most is your willingness to learn.

• Ask questions when something is not clear

• Take time to understand the process

• Be open to guidance
  

You don’t always have to compete in the same way as everyone else. Focus on showing what you can do in your own way.

4. Be open to feedback

Feedback matters a lot, especially when you’re just starting out in your career. Not everything you hear will be positive, and that’s okay. It doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Most of the time, it’s there to help you grow and be a better version of yourself.

• Listen carefully

• Don’t take everything personally

• Use it as a way to improve

5. Start with the right mindset

At the end of the day, everything starts with your mindset or how you think about things. This is why you need to:

• Be willing to learn

• Stay patient with your progress

• Don’t be too hard on yourself
  

Just focus on doing things right and take it one step at a time.

Read: Leadership 101: Tips to Be a Better Leader in the Workplace

Learning Before Leading: Understanding the Role and Team 

Aside from what I mentioned above, it’s important for new hires to take time to understand their role and the team before trying to take on too much.

From my experience, those who adjust well are the ones who focus on learning first.

a. Importance of training and support

In D&V Philippines, we make sure that new hires are supported from the start.

• There is structured training, usually around one to two months

• You are guided by a buddy or a point person

• You also receive support from the client side when learning their processes

This setup is important because each client is different. Taking training seriously helps you build a strong foundation early on.

b. Observe before jumping in

One thing I always remind new hires is not to rush, they should be able to:

• Take time to understand the process

• Learn how your team works

• Observe how tasks are handled

When you try to do everything too quickly, you might miss important details. It’s better to understand things first before taking action.

c. Ask questions

For me, asking questions is a very important habit. And as one of an interviewer, I can already tell if someone is genuinely interested based on the questions they ask. The same applies once you are already part of the team.

• Don’t hesitate to ask when something is unclear

• Use questions to guide your learning

• Stay curious about your work
  

Asking questions helps you learn faster and builds your confidence over time.

d. Learn to adjust if you don’t feel you fit in

There are times when new hires feel like they don’t fit right away. And that’s valid, this is why you must:

• Ask questions when you are unsure

• Communicate more with your team

• Do your own research

• Stay patient with your progress

Adjustment takes time. The more you stay engaged and open to learning, the easier it becomes to find your place.

At the end of the day, learning comes before leading. When you take the time to understand your role and your team, you set yourself up for long-term growth.

Building Relationships at Work 

Aside from learning your role, building relationships is just as important, especially when you are just starting out.

From my experience, even if you are technically skilled, it will be difficult to succeed if you don’t know how to work well with others.

1. Build connections early on

When you are new, it’s important to make an effort to connect with your team.

• Get to know your teammates

• Be open to collaboration

• Don’t isolate yourself
  

At D&V Philippines, even though the work setup is hybrid, building connections is still important. You may not see each other every day, but staying connected through communication and teamwork makes a big difference.

2. Take advantage of the buddy system

One of the things that really helps new hires is having a coach or a buddy.

• You have someone to go to when you have questions

• You get guidance as you learn the process

• You don’t have to figure things out on your own
  

At D&V Philippines, this setup is part of how we support new hires, especially when working with different clients and processes. Having someone guide you makes the adjustment period easier and less overwhelming.

3. Learn how to approach your teammates and managers

I’ve noticed that some new hires, especially younger professionals, feel intimidated when approaching their managers.

But it’s important to understand that:

• Managers are still people

• The only difference is their role and they are their to guide you

One practical tip is to be prepared when you approach them, and you should be able to:

• Know what you want to say

• Organize your thoughts

• Be clear and direct
  

This helps you feel more confident and also shows professionalism.

4. Don’t take correction negatively

Part of building good working relationships is learning how to handle feedback.

• Not every comment is negative

• Most of the time, it’s meant to help you improve

• Accept correction professionally

When you are open to feedback, people will find it easier to work with you.

You may also read: From Team Member to Team Leader: A How-To Guide

Contributing While You’re Still Learning 

From what I’ve noticed, new hires can already start contributing even while they are still learning. We are all individually unique, and we all think and work differently. Sometimes, a new hire brings a fresh perspective that helps the team see things in a simpler way.

There are cases where a process feels too complicated, and then someone new comes in and suggests a more practical approach. Those moments are valuable because they remind us that learning goes both ways.

Personally, I enjoy working with juniors because they bring new energy and ideas, and at the same time, you get to see their growth. Even if you are still adjusting, you can already add value in simple ways:

• Ask questions that help clarify or improve a process

• Share your observations when something can be simplified

• Offer a different perspective based on how you see things
  

You don’t need to wait until you know everything. Sometimes, your fresh point of view is already enough to make a difference.

From New Hire to Valuable Team Member 

At some point, the focus shifts from just learning and adjusting to becoming a reliable and valuable part of the team.

From what I’ve seen, this doesn’t take years. In fact, there are already signs early on.

a. Simple habits that make a difference

There are small things that I pay attention to when I assess new hires:

• Being curious and asking questions

• Showing genuine interest in the work

• Communicating clearly and professionally

• Being mindful of how you carry yourself

These may seem simple, but they reflect your willingness to learn and grow.

b. Consistency matters early on

In many cases, I can already see a person’s potential within the first week. It’s not just about technical skills. It’s more about:

• How you respond when asked questions

• How you think through situations

• How you communicate with the team
  

Sometimes, even after the interview, I continue asking questions. Some of these are meant to understand how you think and how you approach situations. Through that, I can already see if someone is a good fit for the team.

c. Performance in the first six months

The first six months of a new hire are very important. This is usually the stage where we assess if someone is ready for regularization, especially with the client’s feedback and confirmation.

At D&V Philippines, feedback plays a big role in this process. We actively gather input from the client and use it as a basis for the initial assessment.

We look at different areas, such as:

• Technical performance

• Leadership potential

• Alignment with company values

We also use a rating system, but for me, numbers are just numbers. What matters more is the feedback behind them.

• What did you do well?

• What can be improved?

• What should you focus on next?

After the evaluation, we make sure to sit down with the staff and discuss the results. This helps them understand their performance and gives them clear direction on how to improve

d. Growing in your role over time

If you want to grow in your role, you need to stay focused and committed.

• Do what you enjoy, and take pride in your work

• Stay consistent in your performance

• Be mindful of your attitude and work ethics
  

You may be technically skilled, but if your attitude is not right, it will still affect your overall performance. At the end of the day, growth comes from balance. Skills and attitude should go hand in hand.

Advice for Young Professionals Starting Their Careers 

Early this year, we had a town hall meeting in our company, and one quote from the speaker really stayed with me:

“Sometimes the most humble people are those who have already reached the top.” – Sha Nacino

 

That message is simple, but it says a lot, especially for those who are just starting their careers. From the start, it’s easy to focus too much on skills and performance. But from what I’ve seen, what really makes a difference is your attitude. Technical skills can always be learned, but how you carry yourself will stay with you wherever you go.

As you grow in your career, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Stay grounded and remember where you started

• Be mindful of how you treat others

• Be willing to learn from different people and experiences

Another important habit is being open to improvement.

• Accept feedback, even if it’s not always easy to hear

• Stay adaptable, especially in a fast-paced environment

• Use every experience as a way to grow
  

And remember, success is not just about what you know. It’s about how you continue learning, how you adapt, and how you carry yourself throughout your career.

Choose the Right Employer

If you’re looking for more than just a job and if you want to be part of a company that values growth, teamwork, and leadership from within, then consider joining the D&V Philippines.

You may visit our recruitment page to discover the various positions currently available within our organization. You can also download our whitepaper Employees to Partners: How D&V Philippines Invests in its People to learn about our employee-centric approach and how we can assist you in achieving your career goals.

This article has been written in collaboration with Angelica Garcia, a content specialist at D&V Philippines.