10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your New Job

You learned this in school, when the teacher punished those who were late for the first class. So be on time. Especially on your first day. In fact, arriving late on your first day (or even in the first few weeks) is a surefire way to make a bad impression. To make sure you’re on time, try driving to the company’s headquarters before you start work, so you know how long it will take you to get there. Remember to add a little extra time for traffic, construction, or other reasons.

2- Do not wear casual clothes

Before you start your job, talk to your hiring manager or HR professional to make sure you understand what dress code is acceptable at your new workplace. There's nothing more embarrassing than appearing out of place in your workplace, and it's more than enough to give off a first impression of unprofessionalism.

3- Do not ignore the training course

Many companies require new hires to complete an orientation/training course before they take on a new role. While it can be tempting to skip these sessions or treat them lightly, overcome the temptation! Even if your training managers are not your direct supervisors, they are monitoring your behavior. Avoid any behavior that might prompt your training manager to report your behavior to your boss and team members.

4- Don't expect help from anyone

No matter what your new role is, there will always be certain procedures, tools, and templates that make up your company’s identity. You may have learned about them in training, or you may feel that they are expected of you on the job (e.g., from your colleagues). If you didn’t learn about them in training, don’t feel discouraged. Instead, take the initiative and master the basics on your own.

5- Don't ask your colleagues to do your work

It’s understandable that you may need help or guidance during the first few weeks at a new job, and asking your colleagues for help can be perfectly acceptable. But there’s no quicker way to make enemies than to ask or expect your new coworkers to do your work for you. Remember, you were hired because your boss believed in your ability to get the job done. Ask for help if you need it, but have confidence in yourself and prove that you can do the job on your own.

The time you spend at work is for work, right? The company doesn’t pay you to chat with your spouse or friends. If your friends or family members are in the habit of calling you during work hours, remind them before you start your new job that you will now be working certain hours and ask them to avoid contacting you during those hours. You can also limit phone calls and personal messages by scheduling them during your lunch break (except for emergencies, of course).

7- Don't ask for more money (before you start working)

Most likely, you negotiated a certain salary with the company owner (or the hiring manager) during the hiring process. So don’t change your mind before you start working (this often happens because the company feels it needs you, so it won’t mind paying you more to lure you in… trust me! It’s not the case). If you agree to the salary agreed upon in the interview, be happy with it and don’t expect/ask for more until you’ve worked long enough to prove your worth to the employer.

8- Don't try to change things

Of course, you want to make a good impression when you arrive at your new job, and show your new employer that they made the right decision in hiring you. However, be careful about suggesting new policies or strategies during your first few weeks on the job, as this may not be the best way to show that you are a team player. Additionally, it may make some of your colleagues suspect that you are trying to out-maneuver them on the job ladder.

So, make sure to take your time at first to really understand and learn your job, and then over time, you can make suggestions and changes as appropriate situations arise, and as your authority allows you to do so.

In any new job, there will always be a learning curve, and effective supervisors understand that. So you will inevitably be asked to do something or expected to know something that you may not know. Instead of saying you can do the job on your own, be honest. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know!” Honesty is a great way to truly differentiate us.

10- Don't be afraid to ask for help

This does not conflict with advice 4, but rather complements it.
You may be so excited about starting your new job that you don’t want to stop and ask questions. But by skipping the most basic questions, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead of making a mistake that could cost the company time and money, ask questions about everything you need to know, from your job responsibilities to who can help with internet or phone problems to how you’ll get paid.

With these tips, you’ll be on your way to keeping your job and convincing your boss and coworkers that you deserve the job.