Time Management Tips

for Your New Job

With Garland Coulson, “Captain Time”

CaptainTime.com

Congratulations,You’re Hired!• Now what?

• How do you get up to speed quickly?

• What do you work on first?

• What are your priorities?

• How do you excell and impress your boss?

Meeting with Managers

• Always have a note-taking system (manual or tablet/smart phone based)

• If using a tablet or phone for notes, be sure to tell your managers it is for note taking only and all phone/text functions are turned off

• If there isn’t an in-house system, Microsoft OneNote is my recommended tool for taking notes

• Listen carefully to ensure you understand what they want. Repeat back the instructions to them to check your understanding

Find the Key Reporting Basics

• Who do you report to?

• Any secondary supervisors/managers you have responsibilities to?

• How do they prefer to be approached?• Regular meetings

• Is there an up to date job description?

Top Level Manager

Other ManagerYour Boss

You

What are you measured on?

• What is your promotion/payraise/job dependent on?

• What reports are required?

• When are the reports due?

• Ask to review a good sample of the report they want

• Focus first on what you are measured on, then the rest of your duties

What Systems are in Place?

• Delegation/Project management• Formal task management system

or just email/phone?

• Learn whatever system is being used

• If no existing system, set up your own system using tools like• Teamwork.com

• Trello.com

What Training Resources are Available?

• Look for:• In-house trainers and mentors

• In-house training materials, manuals and videos

• Online and or outside courses and resources

• Some firms will reimburse some or all of your tuition fees for outside courses – take advantage of this great opportunity

Track Your Time

• Check if your employer has an existing time tracking system. If not, try Toggl.com

• Review your job priorities and assign blocks of time

Reducing Distractions

• Tell “chatty” co-workers you are under a deadline and ask if you can get together with them for lunch or coffee to talk further

• Turn notifications off for social media, Skype and email – just check your email regularly – once or twice a day

• If possible, try to set up a “power hour.”

Obtain Feedback

• Work on tasks for a short time, then refer to your supervisor to make sure you are on the right track

• After a few weeks, ask your supervisor• How am I doing?

• What would you like to see me improve on?

• What am I doing well?

• Be organized in meetings

• Take notes

• Focus on what you are measured on

• Work with a good task management system’

• Take advantage of internal/external training

• Track your time

• Reduce distractions

• Obtain feedback

More Help From Garland

• Coaching• Phone

• Skype

• Email

• Group Training

• Webinars

Visit CaptainTime.com