Whether it’s your first job or a fresh start, “New Here” is the young professional's guide to work — and how to make it work for you.
Every Wednesday, join host Elainy Mata in conversation with career experts and friends as they share stories, tips, and advice that will help you build a meaningful career on your own terms.
5 Tips for Starting a New Job (from NPR’s Life Kit)
Life Kit. If you don’t know it yet, it’s a great show that gives you all the tools to help you get it together. They cover topics related to work and life – like managing stress, saving money, and even how to get a tattoo.
New Here host Elainy Mata speaks with Life Kit guest host Stacey Vanek Smith about the essential tips that can help you whether you’re new to the workforce or starting a new job. They discuss everything from handling a difficult boss to staying motivated at work.
If you’re already a fan of New Here, this is a great refresher with some big takeaways from our first season. And if you’re a new listener, welcome! You can binge Season 1 of New Here now. Dig into topics like setting healthy boundaries at work, building your network from scratch, bouncing back after a layoff, and more.
Listen to Life Kit at https://www.npr.org/lifekit (https://www.npr.org/lifekit) or wherever you get your podcasts.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: careers, communication, career transitions, managing yourself, compensation and benefits, difficult conversations, managing up, negotiation skills, negotiation strategies, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, listening skills, credibility, mental health
More Resources:
· 5 tips for starting a new job (NPR Life Kit) (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-tips-for-starting-a-new-job/id1461493560?i=1000644569312)
· Why Don’t I Feel Motivated at Work Anymore? (New Here) (https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/11/why-dont-i-feel-motivated-at-work-anymore)
· How Do I Make the Case for My First Raise? (New Here) (https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/10/how-do-i-make-the-case-for-my-first-raise)
· What Do I Need to Know About Workplace Etiquette? (New Here) (https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/10/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-workplace-etiquette)
· How Do I Recover from a Big Mistake at Work? (New Here) (https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/09/how-do-i-recover-from-a-big-mistake-at-work)
· How Do I Handle a Bad Boss? (New Here) (https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/09/how-do-i-handle-a-bad-boss)
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15 Nov 2023
Is Entrepreneurship Right for Me?
New Here, we follow Jemma Sbeg as she leaves her successful consulting career to pursue her passion project—her now-hit podcast, The Psychology of your 20s (https://open.spotify.com/show/2HGcJRYrjGnpce6bRp8UXm).
Host Elainy Mata interviews Jemma on her first day of working for herself—to learn how she made the decision to leave her full-time job and what her hopes and fears are for her new work life.
Then Elainy and Jemma have a second conversation after Jemma’s been working on her own for five months. You’ll learn which of Jemma’s fears were warranted, how she battled loneliness, managed her money, and whether or not she is actually happier working for herself.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: entrepreneurship, career transitions, managing yourself, careers.
More Resources:
· Should you quit your 9-5? (The Psychology of your 20s) (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Mo4ghoYoiRVm8lGfrhlTH)
· Should You Quit Your Job? (Holly Bauer Forsyth) (https://hbr.org/2023/03/should-you-quit-your-job)
· Are You Cut Out to Be an Entrepreneur? (Shirish Nadkarni) (https://hbr.org/2021/09/are-you-cut-out-to-be-an-entrepreneur)
· The Right Way to Make a Big Career Transition (Utkarsh Amitabh) (https://hbr.org/2021/07/the-right-way-to-make-a-big-career-transition)
· How to Quit Your Job with No Regrets (Christine vs. Work) (https://hbr.org/2021/09/christine-vs-work-how-to-quit-your-job-with-no-regrets)
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8 Nov 2023
How Do I Make a Good First Impression in a Job Interview?
New Here, we learn why making a good first impression in a job interview is so important to your success – and how to do it.
Career coach and TikTok creator Sho Dewan (https://workhap.com/) helps host Elainy Mata understand how many recruiters think – so you can make the most of your time with them.
Plus, actor Jack Aschenbach (https://www.instagram.com/DeadwordTheatre/) shares his tips for approaching a job interview with the mindset and methods that actors use when they audition for roles.
You’ll also learn how to manage your nerves, why it’s important to make a connection with your interviewer right away, and what recruiters are looking for when they interview you.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: job interviews, job search, career transitions, communication, managing yourself, careers.
More Resources:
· How to Make a Great First Impression (Rebecca Knight) (https://hbr.org/2016/09/how-to-make-a-great-first-impression)
· Tips for Acing Your First Job Interview (Kelsey Alpaio) (https://hbr.org/2022/11/tips-for-acing-your-first-job-interview)
· 38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview (The Harvard Business Review Guide) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzqOLoorgOs)
· How to Answer the Question, “Tell Me About Yourself” (Christine vs. Work) (https://hbr.org/video/6167220292001/how-to-answer-the-question-tell-me-about-yourself)
· Sho Dewan on TikTok (workhap) (https://www.tiktok.com/@workhap)
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1 Nov 2023
Why Don’t I Feel Motivated at Work Anymore?
Muriel Wilkins (https://murielwilkins.com/) has a lot of experience coaching her clients through career challenges when their motivation is faltering. She does that at the executive level, but she also understands a lot about why motivation can come and go throughout your career, including at the very beginning.
Muriel helps host Elainy Mata understand that feeling unmotivated early in your career can actually be an opportunity to figure out what motivates you—and what doesn’t. Plus, Muriel offers listeners advice about their motivation challenges.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: managing yourself, mental health, careers.
More Reading:
· Understanding the Power of Intrinsic Motivation (Stefan Falk) (https://hbr.org/2023/03/understand-the-power-of-intrinsic-motivation)
· How to Keep Working When You’re Just Not Feeling It (Ayelet Fishbach) (https://hbr.org/2018/11/how-to-keep-working-when-youre-just-not-feeling-it)
· Is It Time to Rethink Your Productivity? (Kelsey Alpaio) (https://hbr.org/2023/04/is-it-time-to-rethink-your-productivity)
· On the Brink of Burnout (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-brink-of-burnout/id1545444200?i=1000507306210) (Coaching Real Leaders podcast)
· How Do I Stay Motivated After Surviving Layoffs? (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-stay-motivated-after-surviving-layoffs/id1545444200?i=1000608192414) (Coaching Real Leaders podcast)
· How Do I Find Meaning in my Work? (https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/10/how-do-i-find-meaning-in-my-work) (Coaching Real Leaders podcast)
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25 Oct 2023
How Do I Bounce Back After My First Layoff?
HR consultant Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meloneydosunmu/) has laid people off, but she’s also been laid off. In this episode, she joins one of our own listeners, Nydia Bryan Martinez (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nydiabryanmartinez/), who was laid off earlier this year. They tell host Elainy Mata how their experiences have changed their careers and their perspectives on work.
They also share how they recovered from the initial shock of being laid off, how they processed their emotions, and how they reframed their careers and moved forward. And they take listener questions about layoffs.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: career transitions, personal resilience, human resource management, careers.
More Reading:
· What You Should Know About Layoffs (Before, During, and After) (Nahia Orduña) (https://hbr.org/2022/12/what-you-should-know-about-layoffs-before-during-and-after)
· How to Be Ready for a Layoff, Even if Your Job Feels Secure for Now (Christine vs. Work) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Fk9ZtVDbw6E)
· You don’t need to leave your relationships behind when you get laid off (Kelsey Alpaio) (https://www.tiktok.com/@hbrascend/video/7203364631425944878)
· Managing Your Emotions After Being Laid Off (Susan Peppercorn) (https://hbr.org/2023/01/managing-your-emotions-after-being-laid-off)
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18 Oct 2023
How Do I Make the Case for My First Raise?
Anne-Lyse Ngatta (https://dreamoflegacy.com/), also known as Anne-Lyse Wealth on her podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dreamers-podcast/id1546922736), and Gorick Ng (https://www.gorick.com/), an author and career advisor, walk host Elainy Mata through that process.
They break down how to lay the groundwork and do your research, when and how to start the conversation with your manager, and how to navigate the negotiation that may follow.
They also share their own experiences advocating for higher pay early in their careers, and they explain why your timing and your tone are so important to get right. Plus, they take listener questions about asking for a raise.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: compensation and benefits, difficult conversations, managing up, negotiation skills, negotiation strategies, careers.
More Reading:
· How to Ask for a Raise (Christine vs. Work) (https://hbr.org/video/6280981409001/how-to-ask-for-a-raise)
· What to Do When Your Raise Isn’t Enough (Anne-Lyse Wealth) (https://hbr.org/2022/05/what-to-do-when-your-raise-isnt-enough)
· The Economy Is Uncertain. Can You Still Negotiate a Raise? (Shanna Hocking) (https://hbr.org/2023/05/the-economy-is-uncertain-can-you-still-negotiate-a-raise)
· How Black Women Can Navigate Pay-Gap Gaslighting (Lola Bakare) (https://hbr.org/2022/09/how-black-women-can-navigate-pay-gap-gaslighting)
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4 Oct 2023
What Do I Need to Know About Workplace Etiquette?
Sarah Cooper (https://sarahcpr.com/) tells host Elainy Mata how she learned those invisible rules early in her career, why they matter, and which rules she thinks you can bend.
You may know Sarah for her viral lip-syncing TikToks (https://www.tiktok.com/@whatchugotforme) during the pandemic. But before that, she worked as a designer at big tech companies – like Yahoo and Google. And she didn’t just crack the office etiquette game -- she also had some fun with those rules. In fact, Sarah’s early comedy is all about office etiquette – like her satirical article “10 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings.” (https://medium.com/conquering-corporate-america/10-tricks-to-appear-smart-during-meetings-27b489a39d1a)
Sarah and Elainy offer their take on the etiquette of email writing, how to handle yourself in meetings, and when it’s OK to wear your comfy pants to work. Plus, they answer your office etiquette questions.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, listening skills, office politics, careers.
More Reading:
How to Speak Up in Meetings (Christine vs. Work) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9NpSlziG58)
How to Write Better Emails at Work (Jeff Su) (https://hbr.org/2021/08/how-to-write-better-emails-at-work)
The New Rules of Work Clothes (Allison Shapira) (https://hbr.org/2022/09/the-new-rules-of-work-clothes)
The Cooper Review (Sarah Cooper) (https://medium.com/conquering-corporate-america)
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27 Sept 2023
How Do I Recover from a Big Mistake at Work?
Priska Neely, making a mistake in a news report or broadcast can be a very public experience. She leads a team of reporters at NPR’s Gulf States Newsroom (https://www.wwno.org/gulf-states-newsroom), and it’s her job to guide her team through all of their mistakes – big and small.
Priska helps host Elainy Mata understand why mistakes happen at work – and offers her perspective as a manager on what your boss might be thinking when it happens. Plus, she takes listener questions about workplace blunders.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: managing up, communication, difficult conversations, credibility, careers.
More Reading:
· So, You Dropped the Ball. How Do You Get Your Credibility Back? (Jeff Tan) (https://hbr.org/2022/03/so-you-dropped-the-ball-how-do-you-get-your-credibility-back)
· You Made a Big Mistake at Work. What Should You Do? (Dina Denham Smith) (https://hbr.org/2021/11/you-made-a-big-mistake-at-work-what-should-you-do)
· The Best Lesson a Manager Ever Taught Me (Sonika Bakshi) (https://hbr.org/2021/07/the-best-lesson-a-manager-ever-taught-me)
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20 Sept 2023
How Do I Build My Network from Scratch?
New Here, we explore different ways to start building professional relationships – in a way that feels authentic. And we’ll learn how to sustain those relationships over time.
Former tech executive Eric Rodriguez (https://ericjrodriguez.com/) and Gael Aitor, co-host of Teenager Therapy (https://teenagertherapy.com/) and co-founder of Astro Studios (https://astrostudios.xyz/), help host Elainy Mata understand that networking is about finding ways to support other people and building long-term relationships.
They share how they make new connections and build on them, as well as some of their networking horror stories. And they help Elainy answer your questions about networking.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: personal networks, communication, careers.
More Reading:
· Eric Rodriguez’s one pager (https://ericjrodriguez.com/onepager)
· How to Network on Instagram (It's More Than Just the DMs!) (Elainy Mata) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP9rWm7qRm8)
· A Beginner’s Guide to Networking (Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar) (https://hbr.org/2023/03/a-beginners-guide-to-networking)
· Work Speak: The Right Way to Network (Vasundhara Sawhney) (https://hbr.org/2022/12/work-speak-the-right-way-to-network)
· Fun Ways to Network as a Newbie (Phoebe Dodds) (https://hbr.org/2023/06/fun-ways-to-network-as-a-newbie)
· Get Better at Networking: Our Favorite Reads (Paige Cohen) (https://hbr.org/2021/10/get-better-at-networking-our-favorite-reads)
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13 Sept 2023
How Do I Handle a Bad Boss?
New Here, we learn how to deal witha difficult manager and heal afterward.
Leadership coach and TikTok creator Robyn L. Garrett helps host Elainy Mata understand how many managers think -- and shares how she handled a bad boss early in her career.
Plus, Elainy’s own former boss Anita Sen gives us three tips that we can use to protect ourselves from a difficult manager.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: communication, managing up, mental health, careers.
More Reading:
· When Should You Take a Problem to HR? (Octavia Goredama) (https://hbr.org/2023/08/when-should-you-take-a-problem-to-hr)
· Dealing With Your Incompetent Boss (Amy Gallo) (https://hbr.org/2011/06/dealing-with-your-incompetent)
· Do You Hate Your Boss? (Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries) (https://hbr.org/2016/12/do-you-hate-your-boss)
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6 Sept 2023
How Do I Set the Right Boundaries at Work?
New Here, we learn why it’s important to set your boundaries at work from day one – and how to do it.
Host Elainy Mata talks with her own therapist about how boundaries come into play at work, how to define them for yourself, and how to handle the discomfort you feel when a colleague crosses your boundaries.
Then Elainy and her work friends Dustin Brady, Jhymon Moodie, and Cheyenne Paterson discuss her therapist’s advice and share what they’ve learned about how it feels when boundaries get crossed at work.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Key topics include: communication, difficult conversations, work-life balance, mental health, careers.
Read More:
· How to Spot a Bad Boss During an Interview (Sara Stibitz) (https://hbr.org/2015/12/how-to-spot-a-bad-boss-during-an-interview)
· Ask an Expert: What Should I Do If My Boss Is Gaslighting Me? (Mary Abbajay) (https://hbr.org/2020/11/ask-an-expert-what-should-i-do-if-my-boss-is-gaslighting-me)
· The Right Way to Give Negative Feedback to Your Manager (Tijs Besieux) (https://hbr.org/2020/12/the-right-way-to-give-negative-feedback-to-your-manager)
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30 Aug 2023
We’re New Here
So you got the job. Now what?
Whether it’s your first job or a fresh start, Harvard Business Review’s podcast “New Here” is the young professional's guide to work — and how to make it work for you.
Every Wednesday, join host Elainy Mata for stories, tips, and advice that will help you build a meaningful career on your own terms. She’ll talk with trusted experts (Sho Dewan, Erika Kullberg, Robyn L. Garrett), people you know and love (Gael Aitor, Jemma Sbeg, Sarah Cooper), and the people who help her figure out career challenges – like her therapist, mentors, and friends.
So if you’re new here, join us. Fresh episodes drop every Wednesday, starting September 6, 2023.
Have a career question? Let us know at NewHere@HBR.org.
Inside a recent episode
5 Tips for Starting a New Job (from NPR’s Life Kit)
Published 14 Feb 2024 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I agree. But I like the advice of listening one because it can be really hard. And also you'll learn about the rules around the office if you kind of take a step back and just listen to what is being told to you. Well, I think there's a tension in this between learning a culture at work and being your authentic self. And I feel like we get messages about both. And it can be confusing to know what to do. Like what if your authentic self talks constantly? Or what if your authentic self never talks? That's a good question. I think for me, I am one naturally just a high energy type of person. And I think I had to learn there's places where that works and there's places where I can hold back and allow myself to kind of be more reserved to see how other people do it. […]
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