How to Hit the Ground Running with Your New Job

Congrats! You got a new job. Now what?

When leaving your current employer, do not burn bridges. The legal and business community is very small. Now is not the time to vent, but to leave gracefully with all connections intact.
Before you start your job, meet with friends (and friends of friends) at the new company to find out what legal issues are paramount (e.g., is it keeping data private? or technology confidential? etc.). Also, learn what the risk tolerance is. Employers differ wildly on what matters most and their appetite for risk.
Understand the business model. You need to minimize the amount of time spent learning, and instead add value as soon as you can.
Understand your manager’s and clients’ expectations on turnaround time and priority of work since these things differ for every employer. For example, do you work first on a certain product or exec’s orders, or revenue generating matters?
Your first impression is vital. Develop strong relationships with your manager, peers, and clients immediately. Be personable, work hard, and gain trust early.