My first week at Datadog: Tips for new hires

After a week of reset, I started my new job at Datadog in New York City! The first week was intense but fun. I didn’t realize how fast time passed, and it’s already been a week.

In this article, I’d like to share some of my takeaways that I think will be helpful for all new hires.

Introduce yourself to everyone and build your network

Datadog has a well-established onboarding plan for new hires. In addition to the company’s orientation sessions and training, managers also help you build a 30-60-90 day plan tailored to your role and team.

Because my job is hybrid, I had the chance to say hi to many people who weren’t on the 1:1 list from my personal onboarding plan. By the end of the week, I had a fairly good understanding of the organizational structure and who was working on which team.

Offer help even if you are new

After getting to know more people and starting conversations, you’ll discover what they’re actively working on and where help is needed. Be open to offering help, get your hands dirty, and you’ll learn faster through practice.

Be humble but confident

While being humble is important, having confidence in your abilities is equally important. Believe in the skills and experiences that got you the job, and don't be afraid to show them. (I think if I were more confident in my last job, I could have grown faster, so I took conscious steps in this new job to address this point.)

I had several one-on-one meetings with team members. During these meetings, I kept in mind that I should listen more than I spoke and learn about teammates’ perspectives and ongoing projects. However, when I saw an opportunity where my previous experience could add value, I didn’t hesitate to share my ideas.

The two sides of the beginner mindset

1. Fresh Eyes: Prep yourself with a pair of fresh eyes. This can provide valuable insights and lead to interesting questions that can help long-term employees refresh their perspectives.

2. Bold Participation: Don’t let your beginner status limit what you want to do. Be bold and express your understanding so that people can see your learning progress and provide guidance to help you prioritize effectively. Participate actively and ask for opportunities to try new things.

   

   (Datadog HQ, nyc, 2024)