When you start a new job, it can make you feel exhilarated but terrified at the same time. This new opportunity means you can enhance your skills, learn some more things, and maybe make some new friends.
A new job also means you should start off on the right foot and make a good impression, not a negative one. So what should you avoid doing at your new job?
1. Don’t Be Late
The easiest way for you to make a terrible first impression on your boss and co-workers is to arrive late. You’ve learned about how important it is to be on time from going to school, so you know that being on time matters a lot. Before you start your journey to your new job, make sure you know the route and how long it takes.
If it takes you 25 minutes to drive to the office, then add on an extra 15 minutes to your journey. Also, remember to consider whether there’ll be traffic, road construction, or other things that may delay you.
Whether you have to drive, take the bus or walk to your new job, it’s a great idea to use an app to help you along the way. Google Maps is an easy-to-use, popular app, available in basically every single country.
Download Google Maps, so you can work out the best route beforehand, then you’ll be able to navigate quickly and easily with the helpful arrows and directions. You can even use offline maps if you lose your internet connection!
2. Don’t Be Improperly Dressed
This one can be difficult to figure out. The appropriate work attire all depends on the environment that you’re going to be working in, so your best bet would be to simply ask the hiring manager or HR professional. Don’t leave it up to chance; make sure you understand completely before you show up at work on Monday morning.
An obvious way to make a negative first impression would be to walk into your first meeting in the morning wearing sneakers, jeans, and a t-shirt when you’re supposed to be wearing business formal.
3. Don’t Skip Training
When you start your new job, it might be a requirement for you to go through orientation or training before you begin. A lot of companies do this, and it can help you adapt to your job better. If your new workplace requires you to do orientation sessions, don’t take them lightly, and definitely don’t dodge them altogether!
Work orientation is an important part of figuring out your role within the company and what your employer expects from you, so be sure to go to all the sessions, pay close attention, and take notes. Your managers will probably be accessing your behavior in the training process, therefore don’t have a bad attitude about it, or you could regret it.
Headspace is a great app that you can use to get yourself in the right frame of mind and improve your focus before your orientation sessions begin.
4. Don’t Expect Co-Workers to Do Your Work
A new job is scary and stressful, so it’s completely fine to ask your co-workers to help show you the ropes. However, there is a quick way to make an enemy in the workplace: to expect a colleague to do your work for you because you think it’s too difficult to do yourself. Just because your co-worker was nice enough to give you some guidance for the first few weeks doesn't mean that they’re okay with doing your job for you.
Rather than encouraging an unhealthy relationship with your colleagues, remember that you were chosen for the position because you proved to your employer that you were capable of doing the work. Don’t be scared to ask for help, but know that you have the ability to do it yourself.
5. Don’t Take a Lot of Private Calls
It’s always best to separate your personal life from your work life, especially when you’ve just started a new job. Work is for work! Chatting with your friends on the phone throughout the day isn't going to give a good impression on your employer or your co-workers, so if you know they love calling you all the time, chat to them about it.
Let your friends know that you’re starting a new job, and you’ll only be able to chat after working hours or at lunchtime. Keeping up a good work-life balance is vital. Your friends can handle not talking to you for a few hours, right?
Besides your friends calling you, there might be times when it’s urgent or an emergency. For these particular calls, download the Truecaller app. You’ll be able to see who is calling you, and it even has a feature that allows callers to add reasons why they’re calling that you can see before answering.
6. Don’t Ask for a Raise
It doesn't happen regularly, but some people do change their minds and ask for a higher salary, even after they’ve agreed to a certain amount. Did you negotiate your salary amount as well as your benefits with your employer during the interview? If so, then asking for a pay increase when you’re only just starting your new job will make an incredibly bad impression.
You agreed on your salary, be satisfied with it. Maybe once you’ve worked long enough to show how valuable you are to the company, you can expect a raise.
7. Don’t Engage in Office Gossip
You’ve just started a new job, and you want to fit in and make new friends, but gossiping is not the way to do it. Gossip indeed happens in just about every workplace, nevertheless, it’s best to listen and keep your mouth shut.
By simply listening to the conversation, you may learn something important. But avoid joining in as it’ll give a negative first impression. Plus, you don’t want to be known as the office gossip.
8. Don’t Lie
Honesty is the best policy. A new job means there will be a lot of learning involved, and the employer that hired you should know that. It’s completely normal to not know how to do something and make mistakes, particularly during the first few days.
When you’re asked to perform a task that you don’t know how to do, don’t promise that you can do it, rather be open and honest. By letting your manager know that you need help, you’ll show that you’re genuine, straightforward, and willing to learn.
Get Off to a Good Start at Your New Job
When you start a new job, the rules may be a bit different compared to co-workers who’ve been there longer. Your actions are more consequential, and your employer may be keeping a watchful eye on you.
Be sure to kick-start your new career on the right foot and make the best first impression you can. All you have to do is be sure to avoid these 8 things that could possibly end your career.