I am a CIS student and I feel fortunate to land a entry-level networking position with a good corporation. I have had several retail managment jobs but I was wondering, what are some best practices you learned to make yourself standout and/or fit within the organization?

Dress as well as you did in your interview. Don't show your true colors just yet.
I would avoid getting coffee, or anything to drink, as I am very accident prone, & you don't want your 1st day to be special because of a stain on your shirt.
Bring a pad of paper & a couple of pens. It shows initiative to take notes, it shows that you'll listen.
Ask questions even if you don't have any, it shows that you are paying attention. Plus if you do already know the answer, then when time comes for you to perform said operation, it looks like you take direction well & listen well.
Above all else... do not try to show up co-workers. Remember that you are not there to impress people, you are there to take home a check. Even if you can do something better than someone else, remember where your boundaries are, feel free to give input, but just be suggestive, don't try to show off!
With that in mind... keep personal politics at home. Don't bring baggage into the workplace.

These things have worked for me... I hope you can find a few nuggets of truth in there that can help you on your way to an exciting career! Congrats on the job!!!

Bring a case of beer to work

Just kidding, be nice to everybody, don't be a smart ass, and most importantly pay attention and be a good listener.

Be nice, Dress well, look hardworking, don't show all that u could do on your first day. Try very hard not to be too nerverous.

Be a good listen, make sure u fullly understand wat u are ask to do. And relax just relax. This attitude should go on for the rest of the week or two not only the first day.

My first day on the job involved me cleaning 5 spools of unwound magnetic tape covering my desk.

I'm sure that'd work. Seriously

I kiss ass sometimes, it works.

I can't agree with the posters that say don't try to impress, only work to get a paycheck. This mentality, in my unqualified opinion, stumps innovation and growth. I don't think employers want people just looking for their next check. They want people that are excited and want to come to work to do some good.

0.2 euro

... I've seen what happens to hot heads on their 1st day. They go shooting their mouth off (while in training mind you) about how someone is wrong on something. Even if they are right, their criticism in front of the other new guys is not welcome here. They usually don't come back for day #2.

I never said, sit in a dark cubicle & ride the company for all it's worth.

The 1st day of ones career is (in my opinion) not the day to push the envelope!

Ah, in that case i am in entire agreement. (Did i misread your original post?)


Better to watch and learn the environment the first few days...

I may not have been specific, since the topic is "1st day on the job"...

I was thinking it wasn't literally the first day, but the first week/month or so with the job. Anyways...