New Job, New Adventures: Avoid These Top Mistakes
Starting a new job can be a stressful and nerve-wracking experience. There can be jitters from excitement and also butterflies in your stomach from nervousness. If you’re starting a new job, then, of course, you would want to avoid making mistakes. Andrew McCaskill, a career expert with LinkedIn, shared with FOX Business the top mistakes to avoid when you’re starting a new job.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when starting a new job is pretending to know everything. According to the expert, not asking enough questions and trying to handle everything by yourself can slow your productivity. It can also “inhibit you from learning how your team and company operate.”
New jobs can be intimidating at first. This is especially true when getting to know new people. It can feel like starting from scratch. McCaskill recommends getting to know your team and not just for networking purposes. Make an effort to engage with others and initiate conversations. You don’t want to miss the chance to establish a meaningful connection.
Also on the list: do not badmouth your old job, or talk about how things were done at your old job. McCaskill said that living in the past and re-hashing experiences from prior jobs can get a new job off to a rocky start. “Rather than focusing on what your past employer did wrong, think of the experience as an obstacle you had to overcome and think of all the skills you gained along the way,” McCaskill told FOX Business.
Regarding a “we did this that way” mentality, they highlight that it could be a mistake. It may leave a bad impression on new coworkers when constantly referencing and comparing a previous company in a new role.
Take a look at the complete list of mistakes to avoid at a new job here.
9 Office Behaviors You Should Definitely Skip
Oversharing Too Much Personal Information
At the office, it’s usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you’re in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it’s an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don’t hesitate to let the right people know.
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Unspoken Office Food Rules
In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it’s just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it’s a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else’s food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don’t forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn’t pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it’s popping.
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Personal Grooming
While it’s great to stay fresh and clean at work, you’d typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.
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Unnecessary Noise
In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It’s a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.
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Messy Workspace
Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn’t want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.
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Poor Hygiene
Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it’s all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.
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Personal Space & Boundaries
Whether you’re in an open office or a cubicle doesn’t matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues’ belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.
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Overdoing It With Foul Language
While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can’t predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it’s a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It’s just safer and smoother that way.
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Leaving It How You Found It
Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it’s a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It’s a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.
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