CAREER: Beginning the New Job checklist

1. Aim for as smooth and seamless an exit from your old job as you can. There's really no point in making enemies or a fuzz.

2. See if you can get a break between the jobs. Not just for plain comfort, but because it will really make it easier for you to perform right from the beginning. There might also be a range of personal things that you need to get out of the way. Personal finances, tax, family visits, dentist, reading a book about the field of work you're entering, research the company in the press etc.

3. Read Carnegies "How to win friends and influence people". Some may not like the title, but it really is a must for anyone who's working with other people.

4. In the first days of work, don't jump to conclusions, keep an open mind about the work and the people around you.

5. Focus on the positive and your priorities. Charm is contagious.

6. If you will be in charge of staff, hold a staff meeting and prepare what to say.

7. Make it a mission to discover what is most important to your new colleagues. This includes your boss, of course, but also everybody else.

8. Don't initially give too much information away about yourself. Not anyone will feel loyal too you from the outset, and there could be someone who's naturally inclined to be less than kind to you.

9. Be enthusiastic and smile. Full stop.

10. Create a positive (first) impression through I-M-P-A-C-T: Institage social activities outside work, Manage your time effectively, Present yourself well, Ask questions, Contribute ideas, Think before you speak.

11. Begin as early as possible to show the person you want to be.

12. Get your colleagues opinions regarding your input and what they think will be most helpful to the team.

13. When you communicate or receive tasks: 1) Listen to content and form, 2) What are they really saying, 3) Check immediately if anything is unclear, chances are that it is not you who are the fool, but that the message is unclear, 4) Are there hidden agendas, 5) Who else is in the picture

14) Be sure to appear to be effective and efficient the first days, chances are that impression will stick.

15. Spend time on planning/thinking ahead.

16. If in doubt whether to write an e-mail message or call or visit, then visit as a first priority, call as the next, but don't write. It is far easier for people to get to like you if you talk to them. A LOT of information is lost in e-mail communication, and misunderstandings can be frequent and sometimes catastrophic.

17. Checkout the "Johari Window" on wikipedia.org. Basically it makes it clear that when you communicate, what seems obvious to you, may not at all be obvious to the one you are communication with, and vice versa.

18. Make sure you join the relevant teams. Take responsibility, be pro-active, make suggestions that are easy for your leaders and other colleagues to follow.

19. Don't underestimate your staff. Delegate.

20. Small talk can make a big difference. Even if you're not good at it, trying will earn you credits. Not doing it can make you seem arrogant, even that is the last thing in the world that you are. Conversation is a social discipline. Communication is exchange of data.

21. Spot the various personality types of your workplace and think about how to deal with them.

22. Be courageous! Don't drink your coffee alone or read a book or go for a walk by yourself.

23. Make your own "hot list" of contacts within the firm. Start building your internal network and even alliances.Develop and maintain succesful working relationships. A certain degree of gossip is necessary, but don't go over the line, and never say anything damaging, especially not in crowd, it will haunt you, and you don't need to create enemies.

24. Criticism, particularly in the early days, can throw you off. There may be a weasel who's trying to harm you. Keep your cool. Outline what the person said, make sure you understand the content and how brutal it was intended. Remember, initially you are inclined to be more sensitive. Ask them to be very specific about the subject, so that you avoid the mistake in the future. Ask them if they have an unfavourable impression of you, and why. You need to develop thick skin. When attacked, don't feel obliged to answer a question directly, stick to your own agenda. Beware of sinking to their level.

25. Take relevant orders and perform. But do not be a doormat or people will walk over you. Credibility is very hard to restore.

- Remember: How you act the first days affects your overall profile within the firm