5 Things to Avoid in a New Job

Congratulations Jane, you just got a new job. It’ s promising to be the best job that you have ever experienced in your life. So you are excited but don’t rush, you have heard a fool and his money are soon parted, likewise a “A new employee might not last”.  We have put together 5 things you need to avoid as a new employee.

1. Don’t Outshine the Boss

Perhaps borrowing from the book. “48 Laws of Power” which states “Never outdo the master”, you need to be careful what you do in the first weeks. You might have walked into a war zone in which your boss is at the receiving end and feels he need to to be as defensive as possible. The last thing they would need from you is you becoming their source  of attack. Think of it, you are outshining the boss and everyone sees it and your boss comes under more fire. The best thing to do is to relax, and learn the environment. Run by your boss most of your work and what you are trying to achieve.

The worst that you could do is to surprise your boss with stuff that his boss knows and commends you for doing well and your boss does not know about it. The credit must go to the department and your boss first. Yes it sucks but remember you might have walked into a war zone and subordinates are the easiest to compromise when the boss is challenged.

2. Don’t over share about your previous job

Nothing will hurt you more than sharing about where you are coming from and how you used to do things. The outcome of that could be that your fellow co-workers can feel that

a) You think you know it all

b) You think we don’t know what we are doing

c) You are only thinking of your previous job

d) You are not in this

Keep your cool and do the things that you need to do. Be enthusiastic and try as much as possible to learn why  they do what they do.  By talking about your previous place, people will always think you are busy comparing each time. Even if you are complementing your new place, you will just sound like a snitch. Don’t be a snitch.

3. Don’t Over Impress

Impress enough for people to feel they have made the right decision in hiring you, but don’t go over board as you might just be left by the ship. Be steady in your approach and be humble, you are there to deliver what you have been hired for first. If you over deliver and miss the mark of your job description or your probation performance mark, you will not be judged by your performance but by what you failed to achieve.

Impress but don’t fall overboard. When you get your job, deliver what you have been hired for first then the rest will come to you. The more you deliver on your job the more people will see you for a professional, otherwise if you spend your time delivering on things that people are not interested in you will be labelled a suck up. Don’t over impress

4. Don’t be the first to talk

Your opinion counts but your word must be measured. It’s good to speak your honest mind but even in firms where they appreciate honest communication, when there is an underground war, emotions will get the best of whoever is in the meeting. Assess what is happening in meetings, note the emotions, note the direction of the meeting then measure your argument and present it with all professionalism. Don’t use words such as useless, incapable, waste of resources and such things.

Be courteous and use respectful words, even if you know what is going on is garbage, just be cool about it and wait your turn. Don’t shut down people’s points express your opinion, don’t take sides, just be cool and professional.

5. Don’t tell secrets

Yes you can hear the office gossip but don’t listen to it. Never reciprocate office gossip by telling your own. Certain people are professional snitches who are looking to see where you are in the politics of the office. So Jane, be cool, don’t tel other people’s secrets and certainly don’t act like you agree with the office gossip. Whenever you can just walk away when you get the chance, it is the best thing you can do. Avoid the gossip champions, they steal your productive time and kill your mood and energy.

Don’t tell secrets in the office, just be about your business.