By Dixie 
CONGRATS!!!! You made it through the phone interview, the interview with Human Resources, the onsite lunch interview with your new manager and are scheduled to start tomorrow morning at 8am. You. Have. An. Official. Job.
But now you are feeling a little heartburn, not from the grilled chicken salad you never got to eat, but from the fact that you are actually going to be spending eight hours a day, five days a week at this company. How can you make sure you get along with your boss, keep your job and move up the ladder eventually?
Here are five simple ways to guarantee career success:
1) Dress like your boss. Look like management if you want to be management. Make sure:
Clothing and hairstyle is clean, professional and neat.
Pants and sleeves are the right length.
Shoes are shined and not scuffed.
2) Get to work on time. On time means 15-30 minutes early, not right at 8am on the dot. No excuses. Be friendly and helpful to coworkers but keep socializing to an absolute minimum. Get your coffee and be at your desk ready to work before the time scheduled. You may think your boss will not notice. He/she will, I promise. Even if the boss isn’t there, someone else will be watching you.
3) Ask questions and take written notes. Find out exactly what your boss expects you to accomplish today, tomorrow and this week. Bullet point what is expected and run it back by your boss to make absolutely sure you are clear on expectations and what means success to them.
4) Every day set written goals and action steps beyond what your boss expects and complete each one. Check in with your boss daily at first to make sure you are on track and to show your progress. Make changes as needed when asked.
5) Leave work after your boss does. If you have completed your tasks for the day, ask him/her if there is anything you can help them with.
Do these and you will be noticed as someone who is management material quickly. Your competition will also notice (in case you don’t move ahead fast enough!)