You finally landed a good job, one that can possibly jump-start your career and you're ready to start your new journey and see what is all about.

Starting a new job can be a very scary time but also very excited at the same time.

No matter if this is your first "real office job" or your fifth office job, the first week is always the scariest one. You are trying to figure out your way around the office, trying to remember names, trying to stay busy when you find yourself with downtime while also trying to take in all of the new training.

While you're trying to keep up with all of our new responsibilities and you finally make it through the first week, suddenly everything feels like the "trial time" is over and you are off the hook, but what happens when that's not the case?

Trial time for a new job doesn't really end the after the first week- unfortunately, this time lasts up to the 6 months period.

So yes, you're still the new person on the job even after it's been 4 months.

When you are starting a new job you need to be on your best behavior, and always try to leave a good impression. This will help you gain your coworker's and supervisors' trust.

Here are five things you should never do when you start your new job- not in the first week, not in the first months.

You should also read: 6 Skills to Have to Succeed at the Job

5 Things To Never Do At The New Job

1. Don't be late

This is the obvious one as is a known fact that we should always arrive on time, but this comes more in effect when you're the new person. When you're starting a new job, all eyes are on you. Your first weeks and even months are still "try-outs" and everything you do will work towards you or against you.

So, how do you make sure are always on it with the clock?

Plan ahead of time. Give yourself enough time to get ready, commute, and some extra minutes in between for when the mornings are against you.

I have 3 alarms in the morning- no matter which alarm finally get's me out of me, I need to leave my house every morning by 7:40 am to be able to make it to the office 5 minutes before 8:30 am. If I'm in my car at this time and already driving, it's a fact I will be 5-10 mins late.

TIP: The first week of the job, try different times. Learn which times will help you avoid the most traffic, which time will make you get to the office exactly on the dot and so on. Once you figure out these times you will be able to know which time will make you late.

On your way back from home you can try different routes- time them so you know which route gets you to your destination the quickest.

2. Don't miss work without calling out

Our bodies get sick, sometimes we need a personal day, and at times we just need to take care of our personal lives and not show up to work. Just remember to always call out of work.

If you know you won't be able to go to work from the night before, I recommend you call out of work first thing the next morning. The last thing you want to do is call or text your manager 5 minutes before your clock-in time to let them know you won't be coming in. This only makes you look unprofessional and careless.

Always make sure someone gets the message.

If you don't have your manager or supervisor direct number, make sure you are able to send an email, text a coworker to pass along the message, or call the office. The point is, don't miss work without getting that "okay".

TIP: During your first week, make it a mission to get your manager's and coworker's phone number and sure you write it down. Save them either on your phone or on a personal notebook you carry at all times.

3. Don't do personal work at work

I've been guilty of doing personal work/side hustle work during some of my 9 to 5. I mean who hasn't, right? But when you're starting a new job is better to avoid the temptation and leave everything that is not 9 to 5 related for your lunch break or for after work hours.

The last thing you want is to get caught doing personal work when you're supposed to be doing actual work (like what you get paid to do). Even if you find yourself with some downtime, is good to avoid any personal work when you're still new.

What should you do instead?

Learn how the office works first, before trying to do anything that does not fall under your job description. Once you have some time on the job and you have learned more about the office and the culture then you might be able to slide some personal work during your day job.

But always make sure you are still completing all of your work first.

You should also read: 6 Tips To Stand Out In The Office

4. Do not ignore instructions/directions

It's easy to get caught up in our own ways and want to switch things around so it can benefit us, but it's also easy to lose track of the bigger picture when we are doing all that. It is good to try and find better ways to improve a system or procedure as long as you're still meeting your deliverables and what you have been asked to do.

The problem lies when you are too busy getting caught up on everything else you forget to follow instructions and end up doing the complete opposite of what was asked of you. This creates an issue because at the end of the day you were unable to deliver what was asked of you, and now someone else has to clean up your mess.

If you're unsure of what you need to do or need a reminder- always make sure you ask questions and take good notes so you can go back to them.

5. Don't stress it 

Whether this is your first job or job number 6, always keep in mind that when you're starting a new job you are at the beginning stage. No matter how much experience you have or how much of a  good fit you're for the job when you're starting something new, you are able to make mistakes. And learn from them.

Don't stress yourself when things don't come out perfect on the first try, or when you're having a hard time understanding a training, system, or a task. Let yourself off the hook at least for the first 6 months.

Keep in mind ...

You are still in the "training & learning" mode for the first six months on the job.
It takes around 6 months for you to be able to finally get a hang of the job and completely adjust to the new position.

So don't stress it, and take it one day at a time.

Even bad jobs can create great opportunities, and develop skills. (click to tweet).




Starting a new job can be an amazing time if you start on the right foot and give it your best. This is the time when new connections can be built, new skills are developed and you are able to grow with time if you put your mind to it. You will be able to do this and more if you learn from the beginning what is acceptable when starting a new job and what is not.

Take this time to not only take in the good from the new position but even the bad and use it to your advantage. Every lesson learned can be a good one if you learn from it.