The Most Common Pitfalls at a New Job
/ Blog
Getting a new job is an exciting yet-daunting venture as you want to put your best foot forward, but don’t want to overstep any boundaries.
All foot-stepping puns aside, making a good impression in your job interview isn’t the only effort you have to make; you also have to maintain your position, which includes doing well in your role.
Here at Foundation Education, we have devised some work advice to help ease that new job anxiety. Although those nerves are inevitable, some strategies can be put into place to help reduce your chances of making mistakes at work.
1. Time Management
Firstly, brush up on your time management skills before your first day. Time management is vital in all working environments; however, when you’re new to a workplace, this skill is imperative. Whether you’re arriving late to work, or taking a lot of time to complete a task, it’s not a good look being unprepared for your job. Although continually being organised is hard for some, things can start to fall apart when you miss deadlines or prioritise the wrong tasks. Some ways to improve this is by creating a to-do list, completing the unpleasant tasks first, and organising which order projects need to be done.
2. Career Development
It is crucial to understand that everybody is replaceable and that you need to make yourself valuable to your workplace. It is your responsibility to prove your worth and advance your career continuously. Your hiring manager will want to see that you’re passionate about your job, so taking some initiative is undoubtedly something that won’t go unnoticed. Whether it be through a careers coach, an online class, seminars, or general research, these development avenues will help you remain current in your workplace.
3. Being Honest
Not being able to admit when you don’t know something or are confused about a particular task makes it easier for you to make a mistake in your new job. Although you may want to seem knowledgeable and confident, not asking questions can lead to avoidable mistakes. People won’t judge you if you need to ask for clarification. However, they may judge you if you pretend that everything is fine, and then make a mistake. You are human, and humans get confused sometimes - so just ask!
4. Be Professional
It’s easy to blur the line between personal and professional. However, when you’re new to the workforce, it’s important to establish some boundaries. Sharing too much information about your private life when you’re new to the role is highly advised against, as your job is in a professional environment, not a university dorm room. Until you naturally build personal relationships with your co-workers, keeping them strictly professional is vital.
5. Behaviour
Self-doubt can be dangerous as if you negatively think of yourself, so will your work colleagues. Acting helpless instead of being innovative and resourceful gives off the wrong impression, which is the last thing you want in a new career. It’s important to project confidence in the workplace as it helps establish new relationships with workmates and makes you appear more capable of your job. Therefore, maintaining a positive and open mindset will ensure that people will find you more approachable and competent for any tasks at hand.
