What a great question! Securing a new job is akin to a successfully launching a new product! All the time spent running a well-organized marketing campaign and now the product is in the market. Well...You’ve landed your new job! As in the product launch, you would want to countinually work on product positioning and posturing for its continued success, right? Likewise you want to do so for your continued success.

How do you insure you will get off on the right foot? 10 rules you need to apply:

1. Get To Know The Company And Key Players. Producing long-term results is more important than an immediate impact. Depending on the company and the reason for your hire you will have a settling-in period any where fomr 30-90 days. Use that time for wisely.

2. Remember Names And Try To Use Them From Time To Time; and always with a smile. Projecting a positive attitude is important. Most people when introduced to others immediately forget names. Look them straight in the eye and ask “I’m sorry, could you tell me your name again? and then practice using once or twice a week –it’s flattering too.

3. Do Not Over-Do Conversation. Your weekend, evening, lunch, visit... was always “Very good” quickly followed by “and how was yours?” People ask, but aren’t necessarily interested in more than that. If they get more than that before they really know you they will steer away the next time.

4. Observe How The Company Gets Things Done: The company’s management style, your boss’ management style; leadership; company culture… Become a student of your managers and their leaders. I once read or heard said, “the best classroom is at the feet of an elder”. In this case, the bell has rung; take a seat and pay attention.

5. Be A Class Act. Don’t get drawn into the chitter-chatter of gossipers. Smile, nod in agreement if you must, but do not gossip. If you do people will not put their trust in you. Practice being a good listening and consider everything you hear, even if it plainly is gossip, as if it were most private. Bite your tongue and you won’t go wrong.

6. Gain The Confidence Of Others. Give credit to others up and down the line. Be humble when given credit and say only “thank you”. For the first few weeks defer to others for advice; defer to your boss’ lead. After you have gained the confidence of your boss and that of others, maybe 30-60 days, you can start making recommendations.

7. Keep Your Boss Informed. This too is part of gaining his/her confidence; and make a point of asking a couple of questions from time to time. Be careful not to phrase your questions in a manner that sounds like you are prematurely criticizing people or procedure.

8. Show Your Boss You Are Serious. State your intentions within the confines of the job as it is currently described (save “posturing” for after the first 90 days). On day one, arrange a series of short meetings to ensure that you are both on the same page, that your actions support both your objectives and his/hers.

9. After Your “Settling In” Period, Schedule And Subsequently Plan For Your Review. In the meantime, keep a diary of what you see that can be improved, changed, accomplished and NEVER share this with co-workers.

10. Keep Your Resume Updated. From day-one, be mindful and any and all your accomplishments, even the most subtle: Situations you were in; opportunities you saw; actions you took; and results! (SOAR). In doing so, you will be preparing for your first Review, just as you would for an interview. You will be forearmed with the information you will need to take an active part in the Review outcome. Since most employers take a very passive approach to Reviews, this will be most appreciated.

Hope this helps!