The worst mistakes you make in new job

The worst mistakes you can make when you start a new job

IF you've finally managed to land a new job, don't get too excited.

Your biggest challenge is yet to come, with experts warning the first 90 days will make or break your success in the job.

Career expert Russell Johnson says the biggest mistake people make when they start in a new workplace is they don't realise how important the first three months actually are.

"The first day is the most important day, first week is the most important week, and by the time the first 90 days are over you're either in or you're toast," said Mr Johnson, managing director of EPR Career Management.

"It's simply that people are making their impression and first impressions are notoriously difficult to change - we make them emotionally, non-rationally, and intuitively."

Mistake: You're a "know-it-all"

Mr Johnson says another major blunder people often make is they feign too much confidence and don't ask for enough help.

"If you ask for help you're basically acknowledging 'I'm a newcomer here and there's a lot I don't understand'," he said.

Mr Johnson said by asking for assistance you will learn more and you will create relationships with your colleagues.

"People like people who don't think they know it all - everyone likes to be respected and the fact that you asked them indicates respect," he said.

Mistake: You get a reputation for procrastination

Another mistake people make in new jobs is they put off difficult tasks in favour of doing easy things.

"So many people do this and they're basically labelling themselves as someone who is a procrastinator and who won't get things done," Mr Johnson said. "Get right in there and get it done."

Mistake: You try too hard to fit in

Mr Johnson said relationships will make or break your career – but some people make the mistake of being dragged into gossip in an effort to fit in.

"The danger with focussing too much on relationships with colleagues is you can end up buying into some toxicity because that's often present in organisations," he said.

"Be a bit independent of the good and bad opinions and get a reputation of someone who plays it straight."

Mistake: You try to make the best of a bad situation

Mr Johnson said it would also be a mistake to stay and "try to make the best of it" in a toxic workplace you can't change.

"Don't go into a workplace if the culture's not going to be healthy, and if it happens, look for the next [career] move."

Mistake: You put up with a job that's not what you expected

Another major mistake people make is they don't speak up when their new job is different from what they were promised, says Mike Roddy from recruitment firm Randstad.

Mr Roddy said you should not feel too nervous to bring it up with your boss, because the employer has made an investment by hiring you and it is in their interests to make sure you stay.

"It's important that you don't sit on it and simmer – ask what's reasonable to change about the role because the job that you're doing is very different to what [the boss] said it would be," he said.

Mistake: You are too opinionated before you know the business

Nick Deligiannis, managing director of recruitment firm Hays, says new staff members often make the mistake of being too forthright with their opinions.

"It's not a problem to have an opinion straight away, but don't be afraid to sit back and understand the issues in the business before you try to make an impact," he said.

"Assess the personalities and strengths of your colleagues before weighing in."