When you work at one place for several years people get to know you, your code and what kind of professional you are. But when you come to a new place people are cautious and your word just doesn't have the same weight it used to.
How do you speed up this gaining credibility process?
If you do those things you'll usually be head and shoulders above the crowd and will gain respect quickly (but not overnight of course).
Work hard, work clean, take responsibility for errors and be a good person.
Unfortunately respect has to be earned and this is not a quick process. I find that after 3 months or so, your words start to carry a similar amount of weight as they used to.
Brag incessantly. Wait...that doesn't work? Someone needs to inform my coworker.
One could argue that you could get pigeon-holed at an old workplace and perhaps taken for granted. In a new role, people don't have any pre-conceived ideas and so may notice more about you than before...
Nevertheless, I would advise that you tread softly in a new role and don't try to hard to be the high-flyer that you might think you can be. If you are any good, you'll slowly get the recognition you deserve; push too hard and it could work against you.
Want the word to get around that you're a great developer ?
Teach others what you know...don't keep what you know to yourself
Help others and answer all questions concerning some topic you know well. Usually you lack the domain specific knowledge of a new place, but if you are "better than most" on some new technology you can soon become the go-to-guy for that type of problem. Once the word spreads, people will know that you're helpful and gives good answers, even though in the beginning it might just be for a specific topic.
be prepared and contribute as best as you can to your daily/weekly/monthly meetings.
Ask questions, get involved, fix things, surprise people.*
*no guarantee of success is implied
Work hard, ask if in trouble, take responsibility for your faults, be a nice man.
I just started in a new company, about 5 months into it now...I basically started helping guys with simple trivial task on the programming side and also on the linux and networking side. But I think the fact that I cam with my own laptop that only had open suse 10.3 as my os and was not willing to try windows also played a big role because ppl would ask me all kinds of linux questions....everybody seems to want to try it but are just too scared(linux I mean).
And the fact that I always talk about my pet projects which some ppl really think they are hectic has really helped. I am now a team leader. and pushing standards while still accommodating those who are not aware of such terms as Coding Standards.
Recently I have changed job and gained quite a lot credibility in the new company really fast.
Main trick was producing something like an open source software, in house tool or doing something really really cool. Best way to prove yourself writing the best code you can, sharing the best tool you can, also sharing knowledge randomly helps a lot. Like if you heard something really cool share it. If you got some insider knowledge of a new tool, new book or anything cool first share it with your colleagues.
Don't be a jerk but to be honest (unfortunately) in IT Personality comes second, knowledge first. Therefore if they realise that you've got at least same amount of knowledge that'll be enough for you.
On asking questions...
Try to find out how to do something from docs/source/etc before just asking someone to show you. Don't always just ask people because it is route of least resistance.
Also take notes so people don't need to show you a few times until you know what to do.
But always speak out in time if you need help. Do not wait.
Bring something to the team. Find a niche where your peers have not yet explored and find ways to teach them a skill within that niche. Demonstrate how it will make there work more effective. This can be a programming technology, best practice, or productivity pattern.
Ask intelligent questions (or questions that show you are engaged in their domain). What many employers look for in a new employee is how quickly they engage in the business. Ask good thought-out questions, learn about the domain, and do your research. Be interested.
Always take notes. Have a single place you put all of your notes. And I mean a physical book you can carry with you to meetings and peer offices. The more you record, the less you have to re-ask later on.
Don't "shoot from the hip." If you have something to say, make sure that it is measured and correct. Your early impressions will be long-lasting. The last thing you want to do is come off as being trigger-happy, making poor decisions, being overly critical, etc.
In my opinion, trying to rush gaining credibility is dangerous, because it only takes one misstep to put you in the negative light. Just shy away from being too aggressive.
Here's a couple of tips.
Integrating into the environment is the key part. Get to know the people you're working with, it'll help you to understand people's motivation(s). Realise you might not be friends with everyone, but respect the viewpoint of those who don't agree with you.
Lastly, where possible try and keep your feedback constructive. When you're the new guy the last thing you want to do is put people offside. The others are right, respect is most often earned, not given... especially in our industry (and on SO for that matter).
Suggest you not saying :
"... but where I worked we did it that way ..." (Always referring your last job)
"... I wouldn't have done this way ..." (The first 3 months, just accept and learn how the organization work)
Listen to people. People like it when you listen. It shows them that you think they are important. Actively listen to them! Hang on every word! Then, when it's your time to talk - ask intelligent questions.
A wise man said that people don't really listen, they just wait for their time to speak. At least that's what I think he said. ;-)
Just like prison, you need to kick someone's ass the first day :-)
But seriously, I'll echo what others have said. Be humble, be helpful, and do what you say you will do.
That advice will serve you well in life, as well as in the workplace.
offer your opinion when you feel like you have a different view, but don't be a a$$ about it. it might be something that they've missed but just don't expect them to say that to your face. hehe.
and be prepared to be wrong a lot :) that way then you can learn way faster.
Always provide more benefits to more people with sincere heart, you will gain recognition automatically it is natural .