New Hire Resources Your First Month

Your first month is sure to be filled with learning, and you will also find yourself building and establishing new strategies and frameworks for how to do your job. You will have your own ideas and suggestions, and will have opportunities to contribute and implement these in collaboration with your department. Below, we have a few reminders and suggestions as you dive deeper into Westmont’s culture. 

  • Meet people important to your role, whether in your department or in other areas of campus.

  • Learn College and departmental procedures and practices, which could range from clarifying expectations related to timecard submission or requesting time off to specific practices related to your position.

  • Review your directory information in Westmont’s Faculty & Staff Directory for accuracy. You can update some of this information in your myWestmont portal profile (linked in the top right-hand corner). For information unable to be changed in the portal, please email HR or support@westmont.edu.

  • If you have not already, please enroll in benefits before the end of your first month. You will make your actual benefit elections in Kenz, and will have received your Kenz benefit enrollment checklist and login information from Lorraine Yoro, Benefits Specialist.

  • It’s never too late—or too soon—to start saving for your future! Take advantage of Westmont's 403b plan from the start of your employment, which allows you to contribute a percentage of your salary on a before-tax basis so you may invest in your retirement. Certain employees may be eligible for the College’s matching contributions immediately—details will be provided during orientation.

  • Complete both the New Hire Survey and Onboarding survey, which ask questions relating to your hiring experience and your onboarding process. Be prepared to meet with the recruiter who hired you to discuss your first month at Westmont and your surveys in more depth!

  • Spend some time exploring different benefit offerings and features, such as Cigna Telehealth Connection, connecting you with a board-certified doctor via video chat or phone!

As you gain familiarity with your new department as well as your new position, the logistical questions will fade away and most likely will be replaced with more strategic questions. The questions below could be useful to ask your manager, or a friend or co-worker in your department:

  • Clarify your manager's communication preferences, such as: How should I follow up with you or keep you informed of my progress? When I need to ask for direction, do you prefer an email or speaking in person?
  • What are the departmental procedures and practices I need to know (i.e. birthday celebrations, staff meetings, using the departmental purchase (credit) card, how information is disseminated, how to update or submit an update to the department's web site, etc.)
  • If you have not yet seen an organization chart, ask: May I see or get a copy of the organization chart for our department? If there isn't a formal chart, who are the people and groups I'll be primarily working with? What is the protocol for meeting them (e.g., should I call or propose a meeting)?
  • What are the primary goals and priorities for our department for this year?
  • How and when will my performance be reviewed?
  • Clarify times when you need to get your manager's decision or approval and times when you may make your own decision. Additionally, identify who the key stakeholders are and what types of decisions affecting departmental programs or services need others input.

Want to get ahead? See what to expect in Your First Three to Six Months!