It’s not easy starting at your first job or adjusting to a new one. As the saying goes: “First impressions last.” If you want your co-workers and boss to have a positive impression of you, you better start as early as your first day at work.
Between adjusting to your new work environment, you also have paperwork to complete and co-workers to meet. Because of this, it’s easy to make several workplace mistakes during your first months on the job.
But what if I told you there are ways you can avoid these beginner mistakes at work?
Here are some common workplace mistakes employees make during their first months on the job and how to avoid them.
You Ask Little to No Questions.
A common mistake new employees make is thinking that asking questions will make them look bad in the eyes of their bosses. They can’t be farther from the truth. Asking questions shows you’re eager to learn the ins and outs of the company and how to do your job better.
When you don’t ask questions, it’s easy to make mistakes. And when you make mistakes that could have been avoided if you just asked for assistance, you now look foolish.
The way to avoid this beginner mistake at work is simple: if you don’t know what to do, just ask for help.
You’d be surprised how easy it is to approach your manager or seniors for help when you ask nicely. That said, try to search for the answer to your question first before asking your boss and co-workers. Ask for their help only once you’ve exhausted all other options to avoid wasting their time.
Logging in Earlier and Later Than Your Colleagues.
Many new employees often mistake overworking themselves as proof of commitment. They log in early at work, take on as many tasks as possible, and then stay up later than the other employees.
Sure, it sounds like a great way to attract favorable attention from your employers. However, be careful that this ends up becoming what your employers expect of you at work. Because if they do, you can expect to experience burnout within just a few months of work.
During my first months of working as a content writer, I always produced one article in a short amount of time. However, it took its toll later on, and I struggled to finish my deliverables on time.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to pace yourself properly. Don’t just agree to take on all your employer’s tasks. Just work on the ones you know you can finish within regular working hours.
In addition, there’s no bonus for logging in early for work. Really. Get as much rest as possible so that when you log in, you’re rested and ready for anything.
You Didn’t Set Proper Boundaries at Work.
Setting boundaries is an essential part of maintaining your work-life balance while working on online jobs. It helps prevent your boss or co-workers from contacting you outside of work hours. This way, they won’t interrupt your rest or quality time with friends and family.
However, many new remote workers don’t realize this and thus feel frustrated because their bosses or colleagues keep contacting them outside of work hours. This, in turn, also contributes to the increase in burnout among remote workers.
To prevent this, set boundaries with your boss as early as possible. Establish reasonable hours for when they can contact you. And how they can reach you in case of an emergency – and what exactly constitutes an emergency.
You Ignore the Company Culture.
The best way to make friends and fit in at work is understanding and acclimating to your company’s workplace culture. This includes how your co-workers talk to each other, their group activities, and their dynamic and politics.
Unfortunately, many new workers often forget about this and instead focus solely on doing their assigned tasks. This is easier in a remote setup, since you have little to no physical contact with your co-workers.
But these new employees forget that a positive work relationship with your co-workers is vital to achieving your tasks. Who else will you turn to assist you in gathering data or answering any questions you have?
Thus, why not try to acclimate yourself to your company’s workplace culture? Besides getting a good grasp on how things are done in your company, you’ll also get to know your co-workers better and establish rapport with them.
Badmouthing Your Previous Employers.
Another of the common workplace mistakes you should avoid during your first months of work is badmouthing your previous employers.
No, it doesn’t make your employers feel better when you compare them to your previous one. In fact, they might suspect that you’ll do the same to them with your next employer.
Even if you didn’t part well with your previous employer, your current one doesn’t need to know that. Instead, focus on the skills you gained from working with them and how it helps you at your current job.
Using Your Phone at Work Too Much.
I get it. Your phone is your lifeline to your social life. But when you keep using it at work, it becomes a bad habit that can negatively affect productivity and work quality.
Sure, your boss won’t see you using your phone if you’re working remotely. But they sure will notice your low levels of productivity and your falling behind on deliverables. And I assure you, it won’t look good on your first evaluation if you’re slacking off this early in your job.
The best way to prevent this is by nipping this habit in the bud as early as possible. During your first months of work, store your phone somewhere you can’t easily reach it. Unless it’s an emergency, avoid using your phone outside of breaks.
Starting Your Career Right Just Got Easier.
When I started working, I didn’t have a guide to help me better adjust. This caused me to make several of the mistakes above during my first months on the job, though thankfully, it hasn’t negatively affected my work.
That is why knowing these common workplace mistakes to avoid during your first months will help newbies get a better footing.
If you’re still looking for an online job, however, Remote Staff is here to help. Our jobs list has a wide range of positions available for you to choose from. This ensures that you’ll never run out of options when job-hunting. Good luck!
