Ten Survival Tactics for Your First Year on the Job – And how to position yourself to move mountains in year two.

While there is considerable debate about the exact shelf-life of CIOs, one thing is certain: It isn’t long. Getting a CIO job is tough enough, but holding onto it can be even tougher. Whether you’ve just landed your first-ever CIO gig or you’re a seasoned CIO who has moved to a new company, your first-year performance says a lot about the likely length (or brevity) of your stay and the impact you’ll have in year two.

Do you hit the ground blazing or take little steps? Do you make your entrance with a hatchet or a carrot? Much depends on whether you’re inheriting a high-performance organization or turning around something messy. But regardless of your unique situation, there are a number of steps you can take to make the first year a great one. I spoke to five CIOs, all of whom have made it well past their first year, about their own initial experiences and what they learned from them. They offer advice not only on how to survive year one, but on how to position yourself to move mountains in year two.

BY MARTHA HELLER

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