Weekly Newsletter Vol. 57 - October 2, 2024

When you want to make a good impression on the first day of your new job…

Generating your Lead Story…

4 Career-Killing Moves When You Start a New Job

Starting a new job is an exciting yet critical time. The decisions and actions you take in your first 3 months can shape your entire career path at the company. While it’s natural to want to make an impact right away, certain decisions can derail your success before you’ve even gotten started. To ensure you set yourself up for long-term growth, here are 4 career-killing moves to avoid—and what you should do instead.

1. Focus Only on the Negatives

It’s tempting to come into a new workplace and immediately notice what’s wrong. Perhaps processes seem outdated, or inefficiencies are glaring. However, pointing out every flaw too early can backfire, making you appear overly critical and negative. No one likes a "know-it-all," especially when you’re still getting the lay of the land.

What to do instead: In your first few months, focus on learning. Take time to fully understand the company’s culture, systems, and workflows. There’s often a reason why things are done a certain way, and diving deeper into that will give you a better perspective. Once you’ve gained a solid understanding of the organization and have built trust with your colleagues, you’ll be in a much stronger position to suggest improvements—and your feedback will be more valued.

2. Bring Problems to Your Boss Without Solutions

When you’re new, it can be frustrating to run into challenges or inefficiencies that slow you down. But rushing to your boss with complaints, especially without offering a solution, will not reflect well on you. You may come across as a problem-dumper—someone who focuses on issues without contributing to solutions.

What to do instead: If you encounter an issue, pause and think about how it can be resolved before approaching your boss. When you bring up the problem, offer a potential solution. This shows initiative and demonstrates that you’re proactive in finding ways to improve your work environment. Bosses appreciate team members who don’t just identify problems but help solve them.

3. Speak Poorly of Others

It can be tempting to vent about colleagues or discuss frustrations with your co-workers, especially when you’re new and trying to fit in. But gossiping or bad-mouthing others can quickly damage your professional reputation and create a toxic atmosphere. Word spreads fast, and you could be labeled as untrustworthy or negative before you’ve had a chance to build relationships.

What to do instead: Keep your conversations professional. Avoid engaging in office politics or negative talk about others. Stay focused on your tasks, and if you have a genuine issue with a colleague, address it directly and professionally. Building a reputation for being respectful, diplomatic, and focused on the work will earn you credibility and trust in the long run.

4. Frequently Reference Your Previous Job

It’s natural to reference experiences from your previous jobs, but saying, “This is how we did it at my last company” too often can come off as arrogant. You may be unintentionally signaling that you’re unwilling to adapt or that you think the new company’s way of doing things is inferior.

What to do instead: In the early days of your new role, focus on observing and learning the new company’s processes. Adapt to their way of working, even if it feels different from what you’re used to. Once you’ve settled in and established yourself as a valuable team member, you can start introducing ideas for improvement—using your past experience as a reference point, but not as the central focus. Demonstrate that you’re flexible and open to new methods, while also bringing your unique expertise to the table.

By avoiding these common missteps and taking the time to integrate smoothly into your new company, you’ll build a solid foundation for long-term success. The first 90 days aren’t just about proving yourself—they’re about learning, adapting, and setting the stage for future growth. Make smart moves, and you’ll quickly become an indispensable part of the team.

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_{(*Disclaimer: these are real experiences provided by RME's community of job seekers and hiring managers)}

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