The first few weeks at a new job can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, it is also the time during which supervisors and co-workers begin to form impressions of your capabilities and work habits. You'll need to learn the corporate culture, the company's policies and procedures, the expectations of your supervisors, and the roles of the company's movers and shakers. During the rest of the first year, focus on learning your job well and establishing the groundwork for future success. Concentrate on performance and results, while continuing to hone your skills and behaving in ways that earn the respect of coworkers and supervisors.

Another important part of starting any new job is managing the many relationships at work, especially the relationship with your immediate supervisor or manager. Start by trying to understand his/her position within the company, and then begin the work of establishing a reputation for responsibility and cooperation while developing good lines of communication. Learn to accept and grow from criticism, and bear in mind that sometimes the situation is not worth salvaging. Some managers are simply not a good match for your working habits or personality style, and it becomes necessary to move on. On the other hand, your manager or another person you respect in your workplace may be the person you choose as your mentor.

Upper management at most companies places high value on broad-based interpersonal and communication skills. Getting along with coworkers is vital. Listen, observe, ask questions, and work to develop a team mentality. Avoid the traps that sabotage the success of many, including forming cliques, gossiping, or developing an unhealthy balance in your work and personal life.

Another issue to explore during your first weeks and months at a new workplace is the method by which you will be evaluated. Usually, the larger the company, the more formal the performance review. The process tends to be a combination of objective and subjective criteria, and you will most likely be rated with some form of grading system. A performance review usually includes a salary review as well, although a raise is certainly not guaranteed.

Even when you have a job, it is essential to stay current and informed. You may choose to take classes at your local college, find a training session offered by the employer, or attend a conference sponsored by your local professional organization. You may also consider joining a formal networking organization, or a trade association or professional organization related to your field. Reading newspapers and relevant magazines and searching the Internet for news in your field will help you keep abreast of larger trends and issues that may affect you. All these methods of satisfying an active and curious mind also make you a more valuable employee and decrease the chances of burnout.

Whether your first job is the best thing that ever happened to you or just so-so, there will probably come a time when you should consider exploring new opportunities. Be sure to investigate all your options and compare the variables of each decision before making a leap. Remember that while taking risks can be scary, it can also result in the biggest gains.