Starting a New Job at PayPal

I am thrilled to start a new job today as Partner Marketing Manager at PayPal. I will be developing and executing channel marketing programs for PayPal’s global partner network. Much like my product marketing role in the VeriSign SSL unit of Symantec, I will be working with online shopping cart vendors, ecommerce hosting services and mobile commerce platforms – the companies that really make ecommerce click. I could not ask for a better opportunity.

While I will be working to transform how we pay for all the great stuff that we buy, I am also reminded that the starting point of any new job is critical. Sure everyone gets to start out fresh with a new job. But what are you going to do with that clean slate?

It is often the first 3-4 month at a new job that determine your long term success with your career at new company.  Or as best-selling career guide The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins emphasizes – you need to put yourself on the path to a virtuous cycle, not a vicious cycle. The start of a new job is a situation that you have to figure out key questions like:

• How can I accelerate my learning in the organization?
• What questions should I ask… and to whom should I ask them?
• What is the best way to successfully promote myself?
• How can I secure some early (and highly visible) wins?

For the next several weeks, BobAngus.com is going to be a how-to guide for marketers who are starting a new job. I am going to share how I apply the tips and best practices from The First 90 Days in my approach to my new partner marketing role at PayPal. This is the framework that I have used successfully in previous jobs. More importantly, my goal is to provide a step-by-step blueprint for anyone who is starting with a new company or a new career. Make sure to follow along!