Five mistakes to avoid at your new job or internship

So, you've landed a coveted spring week, vacation scheme, internship or graduate job. Congratulations! But before you get too comfy, remember that securing the job or placement is just the beginning. Next, you need to impress. Luckily, we’re here with some top tips for starting a new job.

Here’s our guide to five mistakes to avoid if you want to get ahead:

1. Being unwilling to take on new tasks
2. Being negative
3. Having poor timekeeping
4. Getting involved with office politics
5. Not following the dress code

No one is expecting you to know how to do everything straight away, but your new boss (even if they’re only temporary) will want you to be enthusiastic. Don’t get too wedded to your job description early on. It takes time to settle into a role. Plus, all experience is valuable – no matter how menial you think the task is. Viewing any task as beneath you won’t impress.

Even if you don’t want to do the role forever, it’s worth making yourself indispensable to your employer. That way, they’ll consider you for more exciting opportunities. To become the go-to person, you’ve got to accept what comes your way and take on new tasks with gusto. Show you’re willing and you'll be on the right path.

When you’re taking part in work experience or an internship, you’re only committed for a set time. So, use that period to try new things before taking on a permanent contract. If a job isn’t right for you, you can change paths but try to stay open-minded at the start of your career. You won’t know what tasks you’ll enjoy if you don’t give them a go.

Almost every workplace has an employee known for their negativity. You don’t want to become that person, so stay positive where possible.

Negativity will put a downer on your career if you complain about every company decision or announcement.

Toxic positivity isn’t the way forward, though. If something serious is upsetting you (such as inappropriate workplace behaviour), you should always feel comfortable to speak out.

Plus, if you spot a problem and you’ve got a solution, that’s great. Workplaces value employees who want to make things better. Your new colleagues just won’t be impressed if you spend more time venting than working. We’ve all got to get things off our chest sometimes but keep it to a minimum in the workplace or when socialising with your teammates.

If you often run late, your friends might always tell you the film starts 15 minutes before it actually does. However, when a workplace says you’ve got to be in at 9am, that means 9am – not ten past. Plus, it’s usually understood that your start time is when you begin work, not when you come through the door. So, give yourself enough time to get in and get settled before you need to start.

Some organisations will have flexible working hours, so take advantage of that if it’s a feature of your new job. If you’re a late riser, avoid booking early meetings and work later into the evenings. It’s better to do that than regularly be late. Even with flexi working, you’ll still have to bend sometimes though. So, be prepared to work outside of your preferred hours.

Remember that timekeeping is about more than turning up to work on time. Good time management is also about being punctual when attending meetings and hitting all your deadlines. If you say you’ll be somewhere or have something done by a certain time, you need to meet those commitments. And if you can’t, tell someone as soon as possible – whether that’s because you’re stuck on a broken down train or you’re pacing behind schedule.

To improve your timekeeping, check out our time management skills guide.

Love a good chit-chat? If you do, it’s tempting to get involved with workplace gossip. However, our advice is to stay well clear.

Of course, it’s good to be aware of certain political situations but don’t get caught up in it all. Even if you decide that the business isn't for you, gaining a reputation for being a gossip could follow you to your next role. It’s a small world and you never know who you’ll work with again in the future. Plus, it’s not a nice thing to do. So, stay focused on your work and resist the temptation to gossip.

Lots of modern workplaces have relaxed dress codes. It’s unlikely you’ll have to do your top button up in a marketing agency. However, it’s still important to be presentable and follow the company dress code – whether that’s formal or smart casual. The rule applies whether you’re working in an office or at home. You need to be camera-ready when working remotely.

Find out what you’re expected to wear before your first day and dress in line with their guide. You still need to be comfortable in whatever you’re wearing so find something that you feel good in that still matches the requirements. Think about practicality too. If you’re going to be on your feet all day, you’ll need comfortable shoes.

Work isn’t a fashion show (unless you’re a model, of course). However, you’ve still got to think about how you dress. You need how you look to communicate that you’re professional and ready for work. So, give yourself enough time to get ready and check that your clothing is clean. You're a highly capable worker, so don’t let anyone get the wrong impression.

Got an interview coming up? Here are some tips on what to wear to an interview.

Getting a job or a placement is a fantastic achievement. Don’t waste the opportunity by giving into bad habits.

It’s difficult to get everything right when you first enter the world of work, but you’ll go further if you follow our new job advice and avoid common mistakes.

If you show that you’re willing to try new things, stay positive, show up on time, stay out of office politics and dress appropriately, you’ll impress. Good luck!

Need more advice? Read our tips for starting your new job.