1. Find out who the Human Resource manager is. He/She will be the person you will be seeing most. Talk to him/her and get enough insight about what your rights and benefits are. As mentioned by someone earlier, get a copy of the company handbook. Read through it meticulously. Pay more attention to the fine prints.

2. Know your team (if you are to be assigned one). Break some ice, take the initiative to start a conversation. Show confidence in yourself, coz someday, you are gonna lead this team. What better way than to spray a scent of leadership around.

3. Be friendly with those sitting around you (most likely, your team, but not always). Be nice to them. They will spare you office gossip as you move on. Start off on a wrong note, and you'll be the target of back-talk.

4. Don't be too cocky. It's your first day.

5. Familiarise yourself with the environment. Know where the pantry is. Know where the toilet is. Know where the smoking parlour is.

6. Ask around about essential conveniences. Maybe your colleague knows where to park the car for free and remain unspotted by blue-suit ticket agents. Or where the best teh tarik can be found.

7. Make friends with the "kakak" or "makcik" or "ah-sow" who takes care of the pantry. You'll find yourself getting surprise gifts or biscuits or coffee on some occassions. She might even let you sneak out that Oreo cookies that is only for the boss's consumption.

8. Last but not least, please please please find out what you are supposed to do. If by the end of the first week you are still clueless as to what your role or purpose is, it signifies that you have worn the "John Doe" sign on your back.

P.S. Avoid office politics. At all cost.