How To Mess Up Your First Days On The Job
Got a new gig? Congratulations. Make sure you start off on the right foot by avoiding these rookie slip-ups during your first few weeks at a new job.
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You nailed the interview and got the job -- congrats! Now it's time to make a strong, positive first impression on your new managers and colleagues.
Nervous? Of course you are. If you're embarking on a new IT role, you have already undergone a painfully lengthy interview process and are likely hoping the effort pays off.
In the days before you start a new job, you're already thinking about the type of work you'll be doing and how you can best impress your boss and co-workers with a strong work ethic and fresh, innovative ideas.
[ What's the talent shortage all about? Read: IT Skills Gap: A Failure to Communicate. ]
That's a good attitude to have, but it's not always the right one. Leaving your comfort zone for another gig is exciting, but it also involves a different culture, different friends, and a different boss to impress. You want to do a good job, but you also want to be a good employee.
From the moment you walk into your new office, you're under a microscope. Your new managers and co-workers will be trying to get a sense of your personality, your approach to collaboration, and whether you fit into the office culture.
As the new worker in the office, the most important thing you can do on day one is meet with your supervisor and get a better understanding of how to get off to a good start, explained John Reed, senior executive director at Robert Half Technology, in an interview. What are their expectations? Where are your boundaries?
How you act during your first day -- and in the ensuing weeks -- can have a tremendous impact on your future at a new company. Here, we take a deeper dive into the common mistakes new employees make when starting a job.
What are some slip-ups you've noticed among new employees in your place of work? Are you guilty of any of these mistakes? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below -- we'd love to hear them.
"One of the mistakes people typically make as new employees is [being] reluctant to engage with new team members," said Robert Half Technology's John Reed. Many people think their new colleagues will show them the ropes, but that's not usually the case.
"As a new employee, that's up to you," he said. Your new manager will do a few introductions, but after that it's important to make the extra effort to chat while getting coffee or stopping in the break room, get to know the members of your division, and start building positive connections. It's more beneficial for new hires to drive new relationships than wait for employees to come to them, Reed said.
"Coming in, I'd say dress a notch above where the [corporate] attire is, and make it evident you want to get off to a good start," said Robert Half Technology's John Reed.
Like it or not, the first impression you make with your attire and grooming is key to starting off on the right foot. More and more people are pushing the boundaries of traditional business apparel, Reed explained. You don't have to match your colleagues' outfits, but you do want to show you're making an effort to align with corporate culture. Over time, you can let your personal style show in appropriate ways.
The bottom line? Even in a casual work environment, it's important for new hires to put some extra effort into their appearance, at least for the first few weeks.
Early on, it's common for new employees to come off as know-it-alls or bite off more than they can chew. Many make the mistake of thinking they're proving their value and making a good first impression.
"It's one of the worst things you can do," Robert Half Technology's John Reed said, noting that kind of behavior is off-putting and tends to alienate more seasoned team members. This is a common problem among new millennial employees who are eager to add immediate value and challenge corporate standards.
The key, at first, is to listen more and speak less. Get a feel for the people in the room, and pay attention to how they collaborate, before you start jumping in with new ideas. Don't be afraid to participate, but do keep manners in mind when working with a new crowd.
In the tech field, seasoned employees often have very strong opinions on different technologies, according to Robert Half Technology's John Reed. It's common for new hires to say things like "I don't like this tool" or "There's a better way" during their first few weeks on the job.
While they might be right, it's a bad move to downgrade the choices that other companies have made. "Give them the benefit of the doubt," said Reed. After all, there is likely a good reason why they chose a strategy or particular tool.
If a team member asks you what you think of a certain device or process, don't be afraid to weigh in. However, it's best to not be overly vocal in trying to direct strategy as a new employee.
Every company and every team has its own distinct vibe. The importance of aligning your habits to that culture is something most new hires underestimate, but it probably has one of the greatest effects on your success, said Robert Half Technology's John Reed.
Adopting cultural norms can involve something as simple as changing the time you arrive and leave each day. Is your team a group of early risers, or do they prefer to stay late?
If you're told to arrive at 8 a.m. on day one, get there an hour early, Reed recommended. If 5 p.m. is the end of your workday, but your team is still around, stay a little later and see when they normally go home. Get a sense of your team's habits, and try to make yours similar.
As you get used to your new team and work environment, you'll likely have plenty of questions. The problem is, you worry it's annoying to constantly pepper your manager and colleagues with questions.
Rather than jumping up every time you want to ask a question, start to keep a list of inquiries. Check in with your manager and/or colleagues every so often to keep them updated on your work and clarify any confusion you have. That way you still get answers without feeling like you're interfering with their workday.
Note taking can help you remember details of company processes and different assignments you're given. It's embarrassing to receive your first assignment, only to return to your boss five minutes later because you forgot something.
Make the extra effort to take notes and write down directions during your first few days. Not only will you appear to be a conscientious worker, you'll save your manager and colleagues the trouble of repeating instructions.
Note taking can help you remember details of company processes and different assignments you're given. It's embarrassing to receive your first assignment, only to return to your boss five minutes later because you forgot something.
Make the extra effort to take notes and write down directions during your first few days. Not only will you appear to be a conscientious worker, you'll save your manager and colleagues the trouble of repeating instructions.
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