I'm facing a career shift as my current job is ending in July due to my contract not being renewed. I've got about five years of experience in IT, but one of the key reasons for my dismissal was that I didn't meet the company's standards or show enough growth. I feel my transition was challenging because I was thrown into a much larger and more complex environment than I was used to, with minimal documentation available. I'm wondering if my previous employer was being unreasonable in their expectations of me to adapt quickly. I really want to avoid making the same mistakes at my next job. What are some effective strategies for understanding a new IT environment more efficiently?
7 Answers
The key here really depends on what role you're filling. If they hired you for a lead admin position and you weren't fully prepared, then it's reasonable for them to let you go. A helpful tip is to be open about any gaps in your knowledge from the start. Proactively seeking help can prevent bigger issues down the road. Just know that many companies lack good documentation, so you'll likely need to learn through trial and error.
I wouldn't say I'm a workaholic, but when I start at a new job, I go through every piece of documentation I can find. I do this during work hours and after. I also make a point to talk to colleagues and volunteer for tasks. Once I'm comfortable with what my manager expects, I focus on that. It's all about balancing between completing tasks and being available to help others if they get stuck.
First off, conduct an audit! Create a comprehensive list of every application in use and sketch out a site map that includes all your devices. Also, identify your team's strengths; everyone has something valuable to offer. Look for any available training materials; if you find gaps, start making your own.
A solid way to get a grip on your new environment is to chart out how everything connects. Map the data and network flows and understand what systems communicate with each other and how they do so. Knowing the credentials involved is also crucial.
One fun way to learn is by breaking something and then volunteering to fix it! It sounds risky, but it definitely helps you understand the environment better. Just make sure to do it on a Friday evening so you have the weekend to resolve any issues!
Honestly, a lot of IT environments are like yours—poorly documented and confusing. It seems that many companies expect new hires to fix everything quickly without proper support. Your short time at the company (was it 6 months or a year?) might explain their expectations. Just keep in mind that you're not alone in this; many face similar challenges.
I've been at my new job for about a month, and I’ve found that fixing something broken or troubleshooting issues gives you the deepest insights into how everything works. I've already escalated a few tricky tickets to engineering, which leads to one-on-one interactions with those who know the system best. Those moments of problem-solving are invaluable!
Haha, that's exactly what I was thinking! Just be prepared for the aftermath.