Mistakes We All Make When Starting A New Job

Not preparing adequately

Image Source: Reddit

Entering into a new job can be equal parts nerve-wracking and exciting, however there are some mistakes people make when starting a new job. One of those mistakes, being: not preparing adequately. This applies to the interview and hiring process, and you failure to be 100% informed about the role/company.

Arriving late

Image Source: Reddit

Scheduling is an important part of any job, especially when you have set shift times, so it is imperative that you avoid arriving to work late. You want to showcase to your employer that you're a reliable individual, and that you have great time-management skills.

Over-committing

Image Source: Reddit

Commitment to your job is a key trait to have within any career, and it showcases to your employer that you are hard-working. However, over-commitment is something that can easily happen, especially within the early stages of your career. It can take on many forms, such as: working weekends, working extended hours and coming into work on your days off.

Underestimating the learning curve

Image Source: Reddit

No matter what career you're working within, you are going to come across new opportunities to learn a range of skills/general knowledge. When starting at a new job, it is important to not underestimate the (potential) learning curve, as this can significantly impact your overall work and confidence.

Not asking questions

Image Source: Los Angeles Times

If you're entering into a new role, within an industry sector you're unfamiliar with, you shouldn't be afraid to ask people questions. Even if you think they may be deemed 'stupid', chances are that someone else is wondering the same as you. If you don't ask questions, people may assume that you have existing knowledge regarding your new role.

Not taking notes

Image Source: Reddit

During the early stages of your new job, you are probably going to complete a range of important training. This is the perfect time to be taking notes, and showcasing your active listening skills. If you avoid taking down any notes, you are restricting yourself, in terms of key information you can retain.

Not building relationships

Image Source: LinkedIn

Making connections within a new job, is an important part of progressing within your career, as well as building foundations for any possible networking. If you fail in building relationships within your job, it is highly likely that your colleagues and/or employer are going to dislike you.

Ignoring company culture

Image Source: Reddit

Every company/business will be slightly different in the way they operate, and you should make a note of the company 'culture' wherever you are employed. Company 'culture' refers to the foundational missions and key message, that a company wants to communicate to its consumers.

Overlooking communication

Image Source: Reddit

Communication is a key part in ensuring you can compete your job effectively, and maintain the operation of the company/business you're employed for. Overlooking communication is one of the quickest ways to break down trust within a workplace, and jeopardize your career.

Assuming knowledge

Image Source: Inc. Magazine

As mentioned previously, you are going to develop and gain knowledge within any career, and it is important that you don't assume that you, or other people have existing knowledge about certain topics. This kind of assumption, is something that can lead you to deliver below-average work.

Not seeking feedback

Image Source: Reddit

Going back to the point of asking questions, you should also keep in mind, that you will probably need to ask for feedback (from time-to-time). If you avoid asking for feedback, your employer may assume that you're comfortable with what you are doing, or that you can't take the initiative to ask for points of improvement.

Not setting expectations

Image Source: Reddit

With the majority of jobs, you will be expected to work as an individual and within a group, which is what makes this next point so important. You should be able to set realistic and achievable expectations for yourself and others, without compromising the quality of your work overall.

Isolating yourself

Image Source: Reddit

This next point relates back to not building any work-related relationships, and it is: isolating yourself. You're not going to allow for growth within your career, if you isolate yourself from your colleagues. If anything, you going to find it much more difficult to work in unison with them.

Overusing jargon

Image Source: Reddit

Jargon relates to terms and phrases that are specific to certain topics. Now using jargon is absolutely fine, as long as it is relevant, and allows you to share information more effectively. You want to avoid overusing jargon, as it can be seen as a sign of incompetence, and it can be confusing for others.

Not adapting to the environment

Image Source: Reddit

Every work environment is going to differ slightly, and you may be entering into an environment you're unfamiliar with. It is important that you're able to adapt to your new work environment, and a failure to do so, can result in your employment being terminated.

Not balancing confidence and humility

Image Source: Reddit

Confidence can be a key part in selling yourself and your skillset to potential employees, and for the majority, it is the quickest way to progress through an interview. However, you should keep in mind, that confidence should be regulated and balanced out with humility (at all times).

Resisting change

Image Source: Reddit

During your time at your new job, it is likely that you're going to experience some sort of change, whether its in reference to the method of work you use, or the people you're working with. A resistance to change, is considered undesirable by the majority of employers.

Not managing time effectively

Image Source: Reddit

Time-management is yet another key skill you need to have, if you want to succeed within your chosen career. This particular skill is often seen as a strong trait by employers, and it showcases to them reliability. A lack of time-management will be seen as a weakness by employers/colleagues.

Being afraid to admit mistakes

Image Source: Reddit

No matter how long you have been in a job, you're bound to make a few mistakes, and you should never feel ashamed for said mistakes. It can take a lot to admit you've made mistakes, especially if they're quite big, but it showcases a level of maturity and responsibility to your employer/colleagues.

Not seeking training

Image Source: AEC Protection

The majority of careers will have compulsory training, which is often completed at the beginning of your employment, and periodically throughout your employment. There may be some areas of your job, where you feel you need additional training, and you should make your employer aware of this.

Not setting boundaries

Image Source: Reddit

Setting boundaries is an important part of your personal and professional lives, and you should never feel ashamed/reluctant to set them within the workplace. In terms of boundaries within the workplace, this can be in reference to a range of factors e.g. scheduling, availability, support for religious/cultural beliefs.

Ignoring non-verbal communication

Image Source: Reddit

You've probably picked up on the fact that communication is a key part of any job, and this includes non-verbal communication e.g. hand gestures, written correspondence. If you choose to ignore any non-verbal communication, within your workplace, it is likely that this will be frowned upon.

Overlooking office politics

Image Source: Twitter

Office politics refers to the thoughts, views and opinions (regarding certain topics) within the workplace. Even if you don't actively participate in the office discussions, it is important that you don't completely overlook them. By showing some form of interest in your colleague's views/opinions, you will find it much easier to build relationships within the office.

Not taking care of your well-being

Image Source: Reddit

No matter where you're working, and the hours you are working, your well-being should still be a priority. This is in reference to both your physical and mental well-being, and you shouldn't feel as though your career is (negatively) impacting them in any way.

Complaining excessively

Image Source: Reddit

It is sometimes necessary to complain about certain things within your workplace, so they can be resolved for the benefit of yourself and other workers. However, excessive complaining, about irrelevant/uncontrollable factors, is something you should avoid falling into a habit of doing.

Not adapting your communication style

Image Source: Reddit

Yet another communication related mistake that people make, when starting a new job, is: not adapting their communication style. Although your communication style may work within your personal life (among friends and family), it is important to note, that your professionalism can be greatly improved via your style of communication.

Not prioritizing tasks

Image Source: Reddit

The ability to prioritize tasks is a skill that is valued highly by employers, and if this is something you struggle with, you should look into ways to improve this particular skill. If you continually fail at prioritizing tasks, your employer will usually give you a set time-frame, in which to improve it.

Not seeking a mentor

Image Source: Reddit

Some companies will provide new hires with personal mentors, as this helps improve the organization and operation of the company. Failure to seek a mentor, may be seen as a lack of interest in career progress, and/or a lack of general (career-related) initiative.

Avoiding networking

Image Source: Indeed

Networking is a great way to make connections within your industry sector, and can provide you with an opportunity to build relationships with a variety of people. Avoiding networking is one of the biggest mistakes people make, especially when they have just started working for a new company/business.

Jumping to conclusions

Image Source: Str8talk Magazine

Finally, another big mistake that people make within a new job, is: jumping to conclusions. This can be in reference to office conversations, how to perform certain tasks, what changes you need to make to your work, what topics are going to be covered in meetings etc.