Remember the adage, "You only have one chance to make a first impression" as you embark on your first day on the job. Until you learn the climate of your new work environment, what's accepted and what is not, it's often advantageous to adapt a conservative approach. Consider the following tips: Read the company's literature and learn as much as possible about the company's philosophy and what they do. Pay attention to who reports to whom and the social patterns of the office. Learn people's names and how they fit into the infrastructure of the company. Never underestimate the influence of those in positions below yours and treat these people with equal respect. You never know when you may need your secretary to type a last minute report or the janitor's help in setting up an important meeting. Keep your personal life personal! Be selective in what you share with your new co-workers. Remember that they don't know you and are judging you by how you act, what you wear, and what you say. An innocuous comment about the party your friends threw to celebrate your new job, by the time it filters through the grapevine and reaches your boss, may be translated as, "the new person is a real alcoholic and party animal." Poll | Goal Setting | Quiz | Experts Say | Links