Starting a new job can be a nerve-racking experience. Thankfully, many companies understand that, and actively work to ensure their new team members don’t feel intimidated or overwhelmed in their first few months. We spoke to three recently hired Chicago tech professionals to hear about how their companies helped them get set up for success on their new journeys.
Strata Decision Technology offers healthcare providers a cloud-based platform that helps them improve efficiency through financial planning, analytics and performance-strengthening tools. Director of Product Strategy Ross Goglia said he appreciated the company’s efforts to help him get acclimated early and hit the ground running.
How has the company helped you be successful as you transitioned into your role?
The successful transition started at the very first phone interview. The team set an initial tone that allowed me to feel excited, valued and supported — and those positive sentiments only grew in the lead-up to my hiring, and afterwards. The company was very flexible and understanding when it came to the administrative and logistical details of switching jobs. Once I started, the welcome was very warm and genuine, and I instantly connected with dozens of phenomenal people. Three months into working at Strata, I feel that I’ve learned a lot and ramped up quickly, thanks to a corporate training program that is the best I’ve seen.
The company was very flexible and understanding when it came to the administrative and logistical details of switching jobs.”
What excites you the most about working with your team?
There is a long list of reasons I love working with the team at Strata. The core of why I decided to join the team boils down to getting to work on a problem every day that’s full of importance and meaning, the team benefiting from very high-quality leadership, and being grounded in a very strong and vibrant culture.
Sittercity’s platform connects families with vetted caregivers to watch over their little ones to make time for work, projects and date nights alike. Senior iOS Developer Jillian Bush said she really enjoys working with her teammates to drive results and revel in victory together.
How has the company helped you be successful as you transitioned into your role?
During my first week, I met with each of our department heads to gain perspective on the company’s history and where we’re going. My team was extremely patient as I got my bearings and started asking questions. I felt like I was set up to succeed, and I was able to run from there.
I felt like I was set up to succeed, and I was able to run from there.”
What excites you the most about working with your team?
We’re building really impactful features together, and we’re united behind our mission of making childcare finally work. We measure everything we build so that we can really see and celebrate the impact, or figure out how we can improve. We’re on this journey together.
RXBAR makes healthy snacks like protein bars and nut butter from simple, natural ingredients. Senior Procurement Operations Manager Taylor Mayhue said the company allowed her to see how the business works internally from the perspective of staff across many different roles outside of her own.
How has the company helped you be successful as you transitioned into your role?
My first day at RXBAR, I was able to get an hour with the company founder, which really took me by surprise. Then, I spent two weeks in customer service to learn about consumers and the business, and was provided with a 90-day plan by my direct leader. I was also provided a list of contacts to schedule time with to learn about their roles and how I would be interacting with them going forward.
My team was incredibly supportive, allowing me to ask them questions, schedule time to discuss specific topics and processes, and shadow different aspects of their days. The company’s approach to transitioning new hires into their roles truly speaks to its culture and greatly beats the “sink or swim” approach I have experienced historically.
My team was incredibly supportive — allowing me to ask them questions, schedule time... and shadow different aspects of their days.”
What excites you the most about working with your team?
What excites me the most about working with my team is their energy, creative thinking and willingness to work cross-functionally to solve problems. They are able to think steps ahead to ensure that any forthcoming issues or roadblocks are addressed before we reach them. What they have accomplished to date truly inspires me and pushes me to work harder to identify opportunities for efficiency and growth for my team.
