Starting a New Job? Don’t Make These 5 Mistakes

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Here are the top mistakes Robert Half Canada recommends new employees avoid when they start their new job:

Failing to ask questions and clarify expectations

Talking excessively about a previous job or company

Taking on too much work, too soon

Ignoring corporate culture

Keeping to yourself when starting a new job

Congratulations on starting a new job! Your stressful days of job searching and interviewing are over for now. But you have another big task ahead of you. Staying at the new job.

Your first few months in a new job and workplace set the tone for your future at the company and relationship with your coworkers. While it’s important to jump into the action and prove you are right for the role, you may not realize you’re making a few crucial, but common, mistakes when starting a new job.

What are the biggest mistakes new employees make within their first few months on job? The following is Robert Half Canada's recommended list of the top mistakes new employees make when starting a new job and how best to avoid them. Whether you’re a new graduate just launching your career or a seasoned professional making a career move, take note of this advice to develop a stellar reputation when you start a new job.

Seen as the biggest mistake new hires can make, is ask more questions. No one expects you to know it all on day one. Learning the ropes of a new position is hard. That’s why you should not be embarrassed to ask questions like, “What is the approval process for this initiative?” or even, “How do I set up my printer?” Asking questions is a great way to get to know your new coworkers and get settled into the new job.

Requesting clarification lets your boss and colleagues know you’re eager to learn and get things right, while also being confident enough to ask for help. While you don’t want to bother colleagues with endless questions and requests for assistance, most are be happy to show you the ropes (after all, they were once new employees too). So instead of keeping quiet or assuming something, take initiative to get the answer from a coworker or your manager when starting a new job, it leave a great impression amongt the team.

The second biggest mistake Robert Half Canada cautions new employees with is to tread lightly when bringing up a past employer or project. Your new employer may not appreciate constant comparisons between your former and current position. Also, refrain from talking negatively about your old job, coworkers or boss — it’ll likely make people apprehensive about how you speak about them in the future. That being said, you don’t need to stifle your insights. If you can apply your experience at another organization to your new projects, share your thoughts freely — your expertise is a big part of why you were hired in the first place. As a tip, when you share past experiences with your new workplace, focus on the lessons learned. This will help keep the tone positive and forward-thinking.

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A first impression is a lasting impression, so don’t bite off more than you can chew. When employees are starting a new job, many managers assign smaller tasks for a reason. It takes some time to familiarize yourself with a new company, colleagues and workload. At the beginning, it’s much better to focus on the work given to you (and do it well) than take on additional responsibility in an effort to impress your boss. This is also a great time to act on the first tip shared in this blog - ask questions! Instead of jumping ahead to the next task, stop and reflect to ask thoughtful questions to learn.

Overextending yourself could lead to missed deadlines and mistakes. After you’ve met the whole team and understand your department’s and organization’s goals, you’ll be ready to dive into bigger, more challenging assignments.

The hiring manager chose you because he or she thought you’d be a great fit for the company, not just the position. Hiring managers in today's workplace, put a great deal of effort in finding top talent that can both thrive in doing the work but also at their company. From Robert Half Canada's survey of more than 1,350 hiring managers across the country, 48 per cent cited finding good matches with company culture as a top hiring issue they face.

Make sure you catch onto the workplace culture and get involved. Does your department go out to lunch every Tuesday or celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries? How does your team collaborate? Is the business looking for volunteers to help organize an event? Sign up! By respecting unspoken rules and engaging in social activities, you’re letting your coworkers know you’re a team player and want to get to know them beyond email and project deadlines. Joining in the corporate culture will help you develop a wider network at work to call upon when you need help in the future.

We all know that starting a new job can be exciting, but it can also be intimidating. Some employees tend to bury their head in work and avoid interacting with others. While it may be nerve-racking to introduce yourself, it’s important to make the most of your first few months on the job and get to know your teammates and peers throughout the organization. You’ll be partnering with these people on many different projects, and when you can build a professional friendship with colleagues, you'll both be happier in the jobs and enjoy work more. So, take opportunities — like an office celebration or a simple conversation in the break room or virtually — to learn more about your coworkers versus keeping to yourself.

Starting a new job off on the right foot can seem overwhelming. But by taking the time to observe the office dynamics and get to know your new colleagues, you’ll not only impress your manager with your experience and skills but also your motivation to excel and become a team player.

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