Common Mistakes in First Corporate Job and Tips to Avoid Them

College life is quite a fun (at least to many) where you can take quite a few things for granted such as freedom to choose your subjects, liberty to dress the way you like, select the kind of friends you want to hang out with and so on. But if you if are unprepared or have not got relevant information about the etiquette of corporate life, this could give you a bad and expensive start to your career.

(How to check if there are chances of you losing the job also?)

Here are a few thoughts on the most common mistakes people make in their first jobs and tip how to avoid them.

You are young and charged. You want to show the world the stuff you are made of. You can’t see your point of view being put down by someone – you simply can’t tolerate this! Such thoughts about self are sure indications that you are likely to talk back to your boss or argue in an office meeting. It is very difficult for an experienced person to tolerate a newcomer challenging his wisdom. Remember your boss is a human being too and s/he has self respect as well as ego. There can be a backlash in one form or the other depending on the authority and nature of your boss.

Therefore, if you think that you have a better idea then present it and ask for your boss’ point of view rather than making a mistake of proving your boss or a senior wrong.

Sundeep Kataria is the founder CEO of a Management Consulting Firm, which was established in 1991 in New Delhi. He professionally started the trend of CV writing in India. Till now he has helped hundreds of professionals in their career advancement with his expert services like CV Writing, Interview Coaching, Career Counseling and Executive Coaching.

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The contents of this hub are straight from his years of professional experience.

At time there could be requests or orders from your boss which you might find ‘unreasonable’. For example, you have joined the organization as Engineer Trainee but you are told to arrange and oversee the shifting of office from one building to another and that too on a Sunday! You find this ridiculous and straight away tell him that this is not your job.

Keep in mind that there could be a reason – may be your boss has confidence in you or there is no other better alternative at that moment. In other words, no matter how unreasonable a request you may receive from your boss, there is usually a valid reason behind it, so do not rush to disobey. Think, carefully choose your words and respond respectfully.

There is an old adage “Do in Rome as the Romans Do”. Suppose in your office, everyone turns up smartly dressed and in formals. It would be a good idea to invest some amount in good formal attires and footwear. Certainly you don’t want to be noticed as someone who does not fit into the company culture.

Not only the culture and traditions in each organization are different and unique but it could vary from one office to another within the same organization. It is possible that the office you go to work has everyone coming in time but nobody leaves in time. Majority of your colleagues are there well past 6 pm (or whatever is the official time to leave). In fact it is only after 4 pm when everybody comes into the ‘form’ and serious office meetings are always organized after 7 pm. Of course, the best of snacks and the transport allowance are to the company’s account. Nobody is complaining, so why should you kick up the storm?

If you can’t adapt yourself even after giving it your best try then look for another job, find it and leave gracefully.

It is quite possible that you are going through certain unfavorable situations in your personal life. Although this may suck your energy and can make you vulnerable to react in an undesired manner such as loose your temper at certain situation in the office. Under no circumstances this is can be justifiable or acceptable to your boss.

Don’t give a tired or wear a bored look on your face. The same goes for a perpetual frown on your face.

They are paying you to provide solutions or be a part of the system which produces goods or services and not bring problems to the office.

If you are working at a good organization, you’ll soon be attending events where Lunch is lavish. Of course, the food is tempting and a welcome site compared to college café. I have often seen the youngsters gorging out at the food.

Similarly, during the parties the alcohol flows freely and some people help themselves rather liberally. This is the time when you could make or mar the impression about yourself. Eat sensibly and drink minimum (if you have to).

Rules are rules, big or small organization, certain order has to be followed. For example, you want to increase the sales of your company’s products and are sure that an additional discount of just 1% to your distributor can be a smart idea – don’t do it if you don’t have the authority.

Even if your intentions are good, you won’t be able to convince your boss to throw the established systems and procedures out of the window.

Forewarned is forearmed. Don’t be caught on the wrong foot. Keep in mind above tips and move up the path of success.

Despite your best efforts, if you want that you are not made for each other then don’t waste your time and energy. The earlier you do correction (by changing your job) the better it is. But don’t spoil your image.

All the best!