So, you've just been offered a great new job. What do you do now? Celebrate? Sit back, relax in the knowledge that all your hard work has paid off and wait for your first day?

Maybe, but the truth is it's not quite time to take your foot off the gas. The dynamic candidate puts as much thought into preparing for their first month or so in a new role as they did preparing for their original interviews. It is essential that you develop a strategy for your first few months in a new job to ensure you create the maximum opportunity for success.

While you undoubtedly made a good impression during the recruitment process, it is possible that a fair amount of time may elapse between when you last met your new boss and when you actually start your job. So, you need to think about re-creating a positive impression. Ask yourself what you want your new colleagues to quickly learn about you. Maybe it's the type of person you are, maybe it's your way of working, perhaps it's your values and what's important to you. Either way, think and prepare yourself for meeting them.

A new job is always a chance to re-invent some aspect of yourself, so think about how you can improve on the past, consider where you can do better than you did in previous roles and consider the potential pitfalls where it all could go horribly wrong for you.

Possibly the most crucial aspect of joining a new organisation is the requirement to rapidly build relationships and networks. Smart candidates think about this before they even set foot on the new premises and start by identifying a target list of likely contacts who they feel they may need to build strong relationships with. It may also be worth getting input from your boss during the first week or so and asking them for their suggestions in this regard.

Clearly part of the process of maximising the chances of success in any new role is managing your boss's expectations. Understanding their drivers, priorities and where you can possibly help is crucial.

It is also worth taking the initiative yourself and taking a little time at the end of each week to informally feed back to your boss. Let them know what you have achieved, what successes you have had, what relationships you have built and what you are focused on for the coming weeks.

There is no harm in cracking open the Champagne when you get the offer letter, but you should also grab a pen and paper and start quietly planning how you are going to make certain of success in the new role, as you enjoy that well-deserved first glass.

Glenn Steward is a professional business coach and director of The Trading Edge Co.

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