Here are 12 Easily Avoidable Mistakes People Make at New Jobs

Starting a new job means new possibilities, and it can be really exciting. There’s the potential to feel more fulfilled at work, make new connections, and, of course, make more money.

But it can also be intimidating, and in the mad rush to learn all the specifics of your new role, it’s easy to make mistakes that could lead to problems in the future.

Here are 12 common mistakes new hires make on the job that could lead to being fired a lot sooner than you think, and some tips on how to avoid them.

It’s natural to want to be impressive from day one, but no one expects you to know everything — and asking questions early on will set you up for success in the future.

New hires should not be afraid to clarify duties, like asking about deadlines or approval processes. Even questions that seem silly — like “Who do I speak to about scheduling?” or “Where’s the printer?” — are valid. You’re new, so how would you know?

Trying to stop living paycheck to paycheck? Don’t be afraid to go to the HR department with money questions (like ones about salary, benefits, and retirement) either.

In the first few months at a new job, colleagues and management will still be getting to know you as an employee, and you don’t want constant lateness to be part of that reputation.

Sometimes, new hires get a bit too comfortable showing up late because they haven’t been called out on it. It’s a bad look, though.

To maintain an air of professionalism, make sure you’re showing up on time and let management know anytime you do happen to be running late.

The ability to take constructive criticism is a must at a new job. If your boss offers you feedback, make a note of it and try to make any needed changes instead of taking the comments personally.

It’s unreasonable to expect to automatically know how to do everything perfectly at a new gig, and implementing feedback is one of the best ways to improve.

Talking too much about an old job at all can be off-putting, particularly if it’s negative talk.

If you air out resentments about your old company, boss, or colleagues at your new job, your new team may worry about how you discuss them when they’re not around.

Consider the new job a new beginning. Bring your expertise where it is needed, but leave resentments about old jobs in the past.

It’s completely natural to want to impress your new team when you start a job, but be wary of taking on too much work initially.

Being overzealous with projects and deadlines can lead to disappointment — and could even make you seem unorganized.

Many companies like to ease new employees into their new workloads, so avoid being too ambitious with accepting more work before you learn the ropes.

New hires may initially feel intimidated at the thought of alone time with the boss, but checking in with management regularly shows real initiative.

Career experts recommend seeking out feedback. Your boss will be able to let you know how you’re doing and if you need to make any adjustments.

It’s also helpful to try to foster this relationship early on so your new boss sees you as competent and eager to learn.

Participate in the water cooler talk, ask questions when you don’t understand something, and be open to engaging in some friendly banter with your new colleagues.

Research shows that people who are friends with their colleagues report being happier at work, so it is worth the effort to foster friendships during your first few weeks.

If there are norms within the office — like a lunch outing once a week or monthly happy hours — don’t skip out just because you’re new.

It can be tempting to just keep your head down and work at a new job, but new employees should also feel comfortable taking ownership of their successes. Be open to compliments and credit where they are due.

Modesty is considered a virtue for a reason, though, so new employees should avoid any behavior that might be perceived as arrogant — like saying you are above certain tasks or not taking colleagues’ suggestions into account.

A habit can quickly become an expectation. Sure, you want to impress your new boss by making it clear that you’re willing to go the distance to ensure work gets done, but you can do this during working hours.

Putting in extra hours (especially if you’re not getting paid for them) can lead to burnout, and you may find yourself resentful at work if management begins to expect you to stay late.

Sometimes, new employees are so concerned with doing their jobs well that they ignore company culture. This is another common mistake.

Company culture means something different at every job, so talk to your new colleagues for clues. If the company regularly hosts networking or team-building events, these can be a great opportunity to get to know colleagues and adapt to their culture, so don’t skip them.

These days, we’ve become dependent on our phones for so much. A survey from Statista found that nearly half of all Americans admitted to using their smartphones between 5 and 6 hours daily.

At your new job, you should try to resist as much as possible.

If your new boss sees you checking your phone too often, they may think you’re not taking the job seriously. If necessary, consider muting notifications until after the workday.

It’s natural to hear a few rumors floating through the office now and then, but new employees (and longtime employees) should try not to engage in company gossip.

It can make you seem untrustworthy and may affect how you perceive and work with your new colleagues when the focus should be on doing your new job well.

Avoiding these common mistakes can set you up for success as you embark on an exciting new step in your career (and start putting more money in your bank account).

Keep in mind that it’s natural to be nervous. Whether you are starting your first job or your tenth, there are simple steps you can take to make a great impression in your first few days and weeks.

In other words, keep your head up, keep it friendly, and avoid taking on too much too quickly.