Your first 90 days in a new job: settling in, setting goals, and passing probation

Resmi.ID Team · 4 min read · Updated 29 Oct 2026

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For permanent employees, this period often coincides with probation, which under the Manpower Law lasts at most 3 months and must be written into the employment agreement or appointment letter. Fixed-term (PKWT) employees may not be put on probation, but the first 90 days still shape the impression you make. Here's a simple plan you can adapt to your role and your office's culture.

Week one: understand expectations

In your first week, your priority is to understand what "success" means in this role. Schedule a 30-minute chat with your manager and ask specific questions.

• "What results do you expect from me by the end of my first three months?"
• "How is probation assessed, and who is involved in the assessment?"
• "Which colleagues does this role work with most often?"
• "Would you prefer progress updates by chat, email, or regular meetings?"

Note the answers, then send a short summary by email. For example: "Thank you for your time. Here's my summary of the first three months' goals: 1) master the ordering system, 2) handle 20 customer tickets a day, 3) draft a returns SOP. Please correct anything I've got wrong."

Days 1–30: learn and listen

• Learn the main tools and processes until you can run them without help.
• Get to know your teammates and related teams, including each person's role.
• Read key documents: company regulations, SOPs, and the team's latest reports.
• Keep personal notes of terms, contacts, and steps you use often.
• Finish the admin: make sure your BPJS details, salary account, and NIK for tax are correct.

Days 31–60: start contributing

Once you understand the basics, take on bigger responsibilities. Pick one or two pieces of work you can see through from start to finish. A small result that's completed is more convincing than lots of half-finished work.

This is also the right time to ask for feedback. Ask directly: "Based on my work so far, what's the one thing I most need to improve?" A specific question gets an answer you can act on.

Days 61–90: show results

1. 1Collect evidenceNote completed work along with its numbers or impact.
2. 2Compare with goalsCheck your results against your week-one goals summary.
3. 3Suggest an improvementShare one process improvement you've tested on a small scale.
4. 4Ask for a reviewRequest an evaluation meeting before probation ends.
5. 5Plan aheadDiscuss goals for the next six months.

Common mistakes

• Criticising the old way of doing things before understanding why it exists.
• Staying quiet when confused for fear of looking incapable.
• Taking on too much at once so nothing gets done well.
• Staying close to your manager but rarely building relationships with teammates.
• Not documenting your work, making it hard to show at review time.

Know your rights during probation

During probation, your pay may not be below the applicable minimum wage. If the company ends your employment during probation, PP 35/2021 requires written notice at least 7 working days beforehand.

Probation that isn't in writing is considered not to exist, and it can last at most 3 months. If you're asked to accept an "extended probation", politely ask about its basis and written form.

If your review isn't positive

Not every probation ends smoothly. If your manager says your performance hasn't met expectations, listen calmly first and ask for concrete examples. Ask whether there's still a chance to improve, and how success will be measured.

If the decision is still not to continue, ask for written notice and make sure your entitlements, such as wages up to your last day, are paid. Treat the feedback as a lesson for your next workplace, not a reason to give up.

Building working relationships

Good relationships aren't built through big events but through small habits: meeting deadlines you promised, replying to messages clearly, and saying thanks when someone helps. Invite colleagues from other teams to lunch now and then to understand their work. This internal network will make your job easier long after the 90 days are over.

Protect your energy

Settling in is tiring, and it's normal for the first few weeks to feel hard. Get enough sleep, limit unnecessary overtime, and give yourself room to learn. Employees who stay steady over the long term are usually valued more than those who push too hard early and burn out.

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