1vet2another: Being the new guy – your first 100 days

15 minutes early is on time, on time is late. Be willing to outwork everyone around you. Not in a negative chest thumping way but be willing to go the extra mile, the mile least traveled and most talked about. Never have someone more senior to you waiting on you. They may never say anything to you but if they are an "A" type personality, they noticed it.

Your job is to make your bosses job easier and to make him/her look good/smart for hiring you. Make yourself indispensable to them.

I always tell people to try to get as close to customers as you can. Companies value revenue and customers create it. If you work with them, you are less likely to get the cut back release should it come. Being on staff (read overhead) you are more subject to the whims of the company in changing strategy/direction.

Try to get to know as many people as you can in your company, make friends or at least good acquaintances. When senior managers ask people about you (and they will), they will hear lots of good stuff. I am not suggesting the normal "networking" type activities but using the normal course of business to meet and develop those relationships.