14 things successful people do in the first week of a new job

Soak in as much as possible in that first week. If you plan on making any big changes, you need to first understand how things are usually done, and you need to earn the team's trust.

"Win them over by taking the time in the beginning to learn how things are done and why, so when you want to make changes, you can build a strong argument that your team will support," Augustine advises.

No one likes a know-it-all, and odds are, even if you're the most experienced worker in the world, you don't, in fact, know it all.

When a new colleague or boss offers you help or advice, take it. Never counter with, "Well, in my old company, we did it this way." People really hate that.

Even if you already know what you're doing, showing you're open to advice strokes people's egos a little (and maybe even pacifies feelings that you're a threat) and can help you down the road when you actually do need some help.

Learn who the players are, and who's been at your company awhile, she advises. Find the seasoned veteran who has a good handle on what works and doesn't and can show you around.

"Companies have their own language and inside jokes," Augustine says. "Look for the one person to help you decode the acronyms and office politics." Plus, you'll need someone to go to for the silly things. Asking your boss where to find the pencils is a bit below their pay grade.

"Get on your boss' calendar," Augustine says. Use that initial meeting to establish what they believe success will look like in the first week, month, and three months.

At the same time, if you're in a managerial position, it's important to begin setting expectations with your direct reports. From communication style to office hours, that first week sets the tone.

Pay attention to the subtle cues you receive from those in your group. Chances are, there may be one or more people who were vying for your role — so watch your back, Augustine warns. Look for opportunities to befriend and leverage the talents of your new colleagues to avoid any resentment building up.

Learning where the coffee is will always be a good strategy for success. It's also important to figure out the unwritten rules of the office that, if violated, make people go ballistic. Who washes the dishes? Which shelves are communal? "Be a sponge, and watch how people are doing things," Augustine says. "There's nothing wrong with asking how to use the coffeemaker."

Learn your new neighborhood. Do you know where the nearest CVS is? What about where to get a sandwich, take people for coffee, or have a nice business lunch? "Logistically, you need to know where to go get a Band-Aid when you need one," Augustine says.

Making friends at work is more important than you might think, and it's never too early to start forming bonds. Try expanding your horizons beyond the people you'll be working with every day by inviting different groups of people you meet out for lunch or coffee.

Asking people to lunch has a few added benefits: Having your lunch-dates pick the spot gives you insider knowledge on the best local eateries.

And leaving the office to eat lunch during your first week will get you into the good habit of carving out time for yourself during the workday. Nip your sad desk lunch habit in the bud.

Especially because a lot of new information is coming your way, setting good habits and being organized from the start will make your life easier down the line. It's also a good time to improve your bad habits.

"It's a great opportunity to overcome any challenges or weaknesses from your past," Augustine says. If you've struggled with time management, for example, use that first week to map out how you'll spend each day and begin putting it into practice.

"Whatever you sold them on in the interview, make it your mission to demonstrate that you're going to do it," Augustine recommends. If you said you were a social media whiz or great with data, immediately start revamping the social accounts or making sense of the company's analytics.

And start a brag sheet. Keep track of all your accomplishments, major contributions, and when you get positive feedback. You want to get in the habit early and have the information at the ready for future performance reviews and salary negotiations.

Sit in on as many meetings as you can, Augustine suggests, and don't be afraid to speak up. Not only will you get a feel for what and who's important in the company, but others will start to get used to seeing you around. Establish yourself in your expert area, and they'll know who to come to in the future.

Once you're officially on the job, it's important to update your title across your own social media platforms and also start following your new company and colleagues. As you meet new people, cement the relationships by finding them on Twitter or LinkedIn. Augustine suggests identifying the platform that makes the most sense. Facebook, for instance, is viewed by many as personal, so use discretion.

Perhaps counterintuitively, she says the first week of a new job is the perfect time to reach out to colleagues from your previous jobs. "Go back and reconnect with people at your old company, and ask for LinkedIn recommendations," she suggests. The best time to get referrals is when you're not looking for a new job, she says.

Jenna Goudreau contributed to a previous version of this article.