5 tips to set yourself up for success in a new UXR role

Starting a new job can be overwhelming. There’s so much new information to take in, new people to meet, processes to get up to speed with, tools to learn, and Slack channels to keep up with. All this, while trying to make a good impression and prove yourself to your new teammates. It’s no surprise that most of us finish those first few weeks feeling totally exhausted!

When I first started in user research, I didn’t have a plan for those early weeks. I just responded to what came up. But since becoming self-employed, I’ve started more than ten new projects with different teams.

It’s been a bit like starting ten new jobs, and through that, I’ve figured out what helps set you up for success in a new role.

Here’s what I’ve learned works.

Put in intro chats with the people you’ll be working closely with

Schedule 15-30 minute chats with the people you’ll be working most closely with: other researchers, designers, product managers, analysts, and developers.

These conversations are valuable for a few reasons:

1. People context: You'll be able to walk into your first team meeting already knowing who’s who, rather than scrambling to figure it out mid-call (or worse—holding up the agenda).
2. Project context: You’ll get a sense of what people are working on and what’s important to them right now, which helps you identify where research can have the most impact.
3. Culture context: It’s a chance to understand how research works in this organisation and what people’s past experiences with it have been.

These chats can provide essential context and help you hit the ground running. Check out the handy conversation guide at the end of this article to help you structure your conversations.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and contribute ideas right away

It can feel intimidating to speak up in team meetings when you don’t have all the context yet, but try to start contributing your ideas in small ways from early on.

A fresh perspective from a new set of eyes can be incredibly valuable to people who are deep in the weeds of their work.

And don’t be afraid to ask questions. If someone uses an acronym you don’t recognise, or mentions a project you’ve not heard of, ask about it. People will usually appreciate your interest and be happy to explain.

Get involved in team rituals

It might seem small, but getting involved in team culture helps you feel part of things early on. Whether it’s a Friday playlist competition, a “where’s your pet?” Slack channel, or weekly shout-outs in team meetings, join in when you can.

These moments are a great way to build relationships and feel more at home in the team.

Especially if your team is remote. The perks of working from home are well-known, but starting a new role without in-person connection can bring its own challenges. Make sure your new team knows you’re engaged from day one.

Review a colleague’s past research study

Take a look at a recent project another researcher has run. Go through the end-to-end process—planning, recruitment, study materials, outputs. This will give you a sense of what a “typical” study looks like in this environment, how things are documented and shared, and what’s expected. Along the way, jot down notes, questions, ideas, even recommendations for improvement if you have them.

It’s one of the quickest ways to get a feel for how research actually works here and can help prompt thoughtful discussions with your new coworkers.

Ease into your first project

It can feel daunting diving into your first project before you feel fully up to speed. But don’t worry about getting everything perfect straight away. Mistakes are expected and completely normal when you’re learning a new environment.

Ask for support when you need it, and remember it’s always worth running a pilot interview or usability test. This helps you iron out any issues with new tools, processes, or ways of working before you go live.

If possible, begin with something important but not too time-sensitive. That way, you can do meaningful work without the pressure of tight deadlines while you’re still learning the ropes.

At the same time, if you see a quick win you can ship and share with your team, go for it. This can help you build confidence, find balance in your work, set the tone for demonstrating impact.

Final thoughts

Starting a new role in user research can feel like a whirlwind. But by taking some small, intentional steps like building relationships, asking questions, reviewing past work, and easing into your first project, you can give yourself the best possible foundation.

And if it doesn’t all click immediately, that’s okay too.

Learning takes time. Stay curious, stay connected, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself in those early days.