You just graduated college and you’re one of the lucky few in this tough economy that actually landed their first job.
When starting a new job many employees often unknowingly do things that are inappropriate and sometimes rude in the office. Don’t damage your new reputation by committing the mistakes listed below. It will only take one or two big ones to permanently damage your reputation.
Heed our advice and don’t make these mistakes!
If you fail to follow our advice we’ll still be here once you’re ready to start another job search.
5. Constantly Checking Your Phone
When you’re on the job at a minimum you should set your mobile phone to vibrate. The best thing to do is to just turn it off completely. You’re at work and you owe it to your boss to give her 100% of your time. Save the personal phone calls for lunch and designated break times.
4. Engaging with Social Media
Right now it’s Facebook and Twitter getting most of the social media attention. Save your status updates for after work hours. Here’s an idea for those people addicted to sharing their status with the world. When you get to work, send out a tweet and Facebook update that says you’ve just got to work and are signing off during your shift. That way everyone knows why you’re not responding instantly to what they’re posting online.
3. Avoid the Gossip Group
Everyone loves to be in-the-know. Problem is that once you begin gossiping it’s hard to stop. The golden rule is this; those who gossip with you are going to gossip about you. It’s best to avoid the gossip group and keep your mouth shut. It’s not easy but when someone asks you a loaded question looking for that juicy bit of gossip, simply say “I don’t know anything about that” and then switch the subject to something productive on the job.
2. Be On-Time All the Time
When your shift is about to begin you had better be there. Get into the habit of arriving to work about 10 to 15 minutes early. It will give you a little cushion should traffic get busy or you need to stop and get gas unexpectedly. If your commute went smoothly use that extra time to catch up on what the previous shift had worked on and might still need help with. Show you care and chip in early even if you don’t get paid those few extra minutes. When it comes time for a promotion, your boss will remember those who show up to work on time and those who don’t.
1. Clean Up after Yourself
Did they hire your mom to work alongside you? It’s doubtful; so clean up after yourself. Don’t leave dirty dished in the sink just assuming that “someone” will clean it up. It’s your mess so take care of it. Does your company have a community refrigerator? If they do, how many times have you put your leftover meal in there and then month later realize you never ate it? By now it’s a science project and probably stinks up the entire place. Be respectful of others and always clean up after yourself. It’s the right thing to do.
In the end it’s all about common sense and common decency. Put yourself in other people’s shoes and treat them and your surroundings as you want to be treated. It will make for a much more pleasant work environment.