Avoid 8 Common Newbie Mistakes

(Part One of a Two-Part Series)

Being the new kid in the cubicle can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You want to make a good impression and fit in all at the same time. Annie Fisher, senior editor at Fortune Magazine, reported that according to research performed by the Employment Policy Foundation, one-quarter of new employees don’t last a year in their new jobs. 46%, nearly half, don’t last 18 months. Statistics don’t favor the newbie, but that doesn’t mean you won’t last in your new position. One way to increase your longevity with a new employer is to avoid common newbie mistakes. Take care to avoid the following four of eight common missteps:

1. Disrespecting corporate culture
The saying goes, “Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.” Every company has its own culture and often a new employee’s inability to recognize and appreciate that culture can get him/her into trouble. An article run by CollegeRecruiter.com discussed an Office Team survey revealing that 17% of employers named ignorance of corporate culture as the most damning new employee mistake. From talking too loudly on the phone to addressing colleagues inappropriately, if you’re not careful the little things you do can draw negative attention you way. The best way to avoid this mistake is to step lightly those first few weeks; watch and listen to get a good feel for that corporate culture so that you can respect its subtle nuances.

2. Not asking enough questions
A Chinese proverb says “He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.” You’re new; people expect you to ask questions. You may want to shine by being a quick study, but blindly going about your job may jeopardize your standing. When you try to tackle new tasks and projects without getting the guidance and direction you need, you risk doing things incorrectly, causing more harm than good.

3. Lacking integrity
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A little integrity is better than any career.” And it looks like you’d be hard pressed to succeed in your career without it. A lack of integrity is a character flaw that quickly becomes an employability issue when a boss recognizes that a new employee isn’t trustworthy. There’s no need to employ individuals if their honesty and ethics are questionable. In the words of Alan Simpson: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”

4. Not following the rules
Mavericks make good movie fodder. They don’t usually make good employees, especially when they’re new. You may not agree with certain rules and believe the company would be better off without them, but until you’ve proven yourself as a stellar employee you have no place exhibiting rebellion in order to make a point or stand out.

Regardless of the statistics, you can make a positive impression at your new place of employment. And if you’re paying attention you can ensure that you avoid common pitfalls that could put your job in jeopardy. Come back next week to read the final four mistakes new employees often make.

References
—. “Rookie Mistakes Lead to Most Common New Hire Slip-ups.” CollegeRecruiter.com
Accountemps. “Top Five Mistakes When Starting a New Job.” July 2007. SmartPros.com
Fisher, Anne. “Fatal Mistakes When Starting a New Job.” 2 June 2006. Fortune. CNNMoney.com.

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