way to do this is to gently offer a solution or just a few minutes of your time when you see a coworker struggling with a problem. The next time you need a hand, guess who will be first in line to help you out.

"Pick me, pick me!" Why doing the dirty work pays off in the end Even if you don't feel like you quite know what you're doing yet, don't be afraid to volunteer for tasks and projects during the first few weeks or even hours of your new position. "Jump in and start doing the job," advises N

You've landed a new job and finally decided on the perfect outfit for your first day of work. Now it's time to sit back, put your feet up on your new desk, and relax, right? Wrong. Instead of settling into new-job complacency like so many of your peers, take some time early on to ensure long-term career success with these simple steps.

Guaranteed success-starters Dressing professionally at your new gig is a no-brainer, but did you know that how you walk, sit and shake hands can make or break your first weeks on the job? You can project an air of confidence just by the way you move.

If you slouch and try to blend into the wallpaper in the conference room, you will look like you're not sure of yourself. Instead, sit and stand straight. You'll appear interested and alert. Standing up straight also forces you to make much-needed eye contact, which will help you make a lasting first impression on everyone you meet.

And speaking of meeting new people... A good handshake is as essential as eye contact on the job. "Bad body language -- which includes a not-so-great grip-might imply that you are unconfident or unenthusiastic," says Joy Davia, author of the article "Shake it Like You Mean It." Practice using a firm grip from the first introduction to get ready for meeting top managers and important clients down the line.

"You scratch my back ... " Earning favors and making friends During the first weeks of your job you'll spend a lot of time learning the ropes, but that doesn't mean you should spend every moment at your desk. Take some time every day to start cultivating relationships that will help you down the road.

"Get up from your seat, walk around, and stop and say a brief 'hello' to different people in the company," says Anita Bruzzese in 'Friends' at Work Make Your Job Easier. "The key is to interact with people and be accessible and caring. ... What you want is to genuinely help someone in the hopes they will not only see you in a more favorable light, but will benefit from your input."

One way to do this is to gently offer a solution or just a few minutes of your time when you see a coworker struggling with a problem. The next time you need a hand, guess who will be first in line to help you out.

"Pick me, pick me!" Why doing the dirty work pays off in the end Even if you don't feel like you quite know what you're doing yet, don't be afraid to volunteer for tasks and projects during the first few weeks or even hours of your new position. "Jump in and start doing the job," advises Ni

first weeks on the job? You can project an air of confidence just by the way you move.

If you slouch and try to blend into the wallpaper in the conference room, you will look like you're not sure of yourself. Instead, sit and stand straight. You'll appear interested and alert. Standing up straight also forces you to make much-needed eye contact, which will help you make a lasting first impression on everyone you meet.

And speaking of meeting new people... A good handshake is as essential as eye contact on the job. "Bad body language -- which includes a not-so-great grip-might imply that you are unconfident or unenthusiastic," says Joy Davia, author of the article "Shake it Like You Mean It." Practice using a firm grip from the first introduction to get ready for meeting top managers and important clients down the line.

"You scratch my back ... " Earning favors and making friends During the first weeks of your job you'll spend a lot of time learning the ropes, but that doesn't mean you should spend every moment at your desk. Take some time every day to start cultivating relationships that will help you down the road.

"Get up from your seat, walk around, and stop and say a brief 'hello' to different people in the company," says Anita Bruzzese in 'Friends' at Work Make Your Job Easier. "The key is to interact with people and be accessible and caring. ... What you want is to genuinely help someone in the hopes they will not only see you in a more favorable light, but will benefit from your input."

One way to do this is to gently offer a solution or just a few minutes of your time when you see a coworker struggling with a problem. The next time you need a hand, guess who will be first in line to help you out.

"Pick me, pick me!" Why doing the dirty work pays off in the end Even if you don't feel like you quite know what you're doing yet, don't be afraid to volunteer for tasks and projects during the first few weeks or even hours of your new position. "Jump in and start doing the job," advises N

job. "Bad body language -- which includes a not-so-great grip-might imply that you are unconfident or unenthusiastic," says Joy Davia, author of the article "Shake it Like You Mean It." Practice using a firm grip from the first introduction to get ready for meeting top managers and important clients down the line.

"You scratch my back ... " Earning favors and making friends During the first weeks of your job you'll spend a lot of time learning the ropes, but that doesn't mean you should spend every moment at your desk. Take some time every day to start cultivating relationships that will help you down the road.

"Get up from your seat, walk around, and stop and say a brief 'hello' to different people in the company," says Anita Bruzzese in 'Friends' at Work Make Your Job Easier. "The key is to interact with people and be accessible and caring. ... What you want is to genuinely help someone in the hopes they will not only see you in a more favorable light, but will benefit from your input."

One way to do this is to gently offer a solution or just a few minutes of your time when you see a coworker struggling with a problem. The next time you need a hand, guess who will be first in line to help you out.

"Pick me, pick me!" Why doing the dirty work pays off in the end Even if you don't feel like you quite know what you're doing yet, don't be afraid to volunteer for tasks and projects during the first few weeks or even hours of your new position. "Jump in and start doing the job," advises N

y moment at your desk. Take some time every day to start cultivating relationships that will help you down the road.

"Get up from your seat, walk around, and stop and say a brief 'hello' to different people in the company," says Anita Bruzzese in 'Friends' at Work Make Your Job Easier. "The key is to interact with people and be accessible and caring. ... What you want is to genuinely help someone in the hopes they will not only see you in a more favorable light, but will benefit from your input."

One way to do this is to gently offer a solution or just a few minutes of your time when you see a coworker struggling with a problem. The next time you need a hand, guess who will be first in line to help you out.

"Pick me, pick me!" Why doing the dirty work pays off in the end Even if you don't feel like you quite know what you're doing yet, don't be afraid to volunteer for tasks and projects during the first few weeks or even hours of your new position. "Jump in and start doing the job," advises N

way to do this is to gently offer a solution or just a few minutes of your time when you see a coworker struggling with a problem. The next time you need a hand, guess who will be first in line to help you out.

"Pick me, pick me!" Why doing the dirty work pays off in the end Even if you don't feel like you quite know what you're doing yet, don't be afraid to volunteer for tasks and projects during the first few weeks or even hours of your new position. "Jump in and start doing the job," advises Nick Corcodilos of AsktheHeadhunter.com.

"Everyone wants a 'win' when starting a new job, because it's a good way to score points with the boss and the rest of the team. In fact, there's a better way to stand out: become 'the fixer,'" says Corcodilos. "This may not seem very glamorous, but it's a great way to get noticed while accomplishing something important."

And there are definitely worse things than being thought of as "the problem solver" by your boss and coworkers.

"Dear Diary ..." Keeping a career journal Don't forget, in the midst of your on-the-job triumphs, to keep track of your accomplishments. Says Kate Wendelton, author of The Five o'Clock Club book series, "Keep a hero file for yourself, a hanging file where you place written descriptions of all your successes."

While it may seem silly at first to write down all of your work achievements in detail, you'll be glad you did it when it comes time to ask for a raise or to revamp your resume for a job search. After department meetings, important phone calls, or one-on-one's with your supervisor, make a habit of jotting down the date and a quick summary of important contributions you made.

Record compliments you receive in the office, too. Not "Hey, I love your skirt," but "Your presentation was very well planned," and anything that has to do with your performance. When you have a running tally of your strengths and people who notice them, you'll be able to develop a list of killer references at the drop of a hat.

A job is more than just a place you go every day from nine to five -- it's part of your career path. By paying attention to the way you present yourself, being a team player, and keeping track of your personal growth, you can make sure that every job, no matter how small, is a step up to your ultimate goal.