Notes, Notes, Notes
The first week on the job you will be taking in a great amount of new information and trying to remember it all in your mind will be impossible. Take notes, writing everything down. Client names, co-workers names, responsibilities, projects, timelines, ongoing company policies, etc.. Writing things down so you can review them at the end of the day or reference the information at a later time will aid you greatly in organizing your thoughts and get you moving in the right direction.

Who Are You Working With..
During your first week of work you will be meeting with co-workers, your bosses, their bosses, HR staff and clients. Learn who they are, what they do, how you will be interacting with them. Some you may only work with briefly others you may have contact with every day. Get their contact information, email them yours. Try taking a few minutes each day to learn about your co-workers, take them to lunch or have a cup of coffee with them in your down time. Establishing a personal relationship with your coworkers is vital to successfully growing in an organization.

Start Learning and Understanding The Business’s Details..
What does this company you are now working for do? You know the basics already; their products, services, marketplaces, etc.; but you now need to start learning the details. How their products are manufactured, how their services are provided, who their direct competitors are, how they see the company growing, profit margins, and budgets. These are important items that you need to start learning about to be successful in your new position. So start reading, reviewing company financial forecasts, budgets, product manufacturing processes/costs. Talk with managers in each area and learn from them. Have conversations about what they think, review processes, start understanding ongoing issues. This will all make you successful down the road.

Take Care Of Personal Issues…
Meet with your Human Resource Manager and get all the employment paperwork taken care of, review company policies, contracts, complete your payroll forms, enroll in healthcare plans, etc.

Addressing all your employment related issues the first week of work is essential. Your time may be limited once you start delving into your workload, so get all the questions you have answered regarding your employment this first week; so you are not caught off guard down the road when something may not have been completed.

Use the first week on the job to get your self-established in your new position and set the stage for you to be successful in your new role.
Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing (www.webuildstaffing.com). To learn more about Michael or Follow his Blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com