As a continuation of Career Week, today we’re going to talk about things in your first week that affect the rest of the time you work with your new employer…

1. Don’t complain about the work the previous employee did not do, or did not do correctly.

After all there is a reason they are no longer there and you are, it’s not up to you to point out all the little problems that person may or may not have created. You must also realize that other people that you work with might have been attached to the person there before. However that person left is none of your business, but you do not need to step on other peoples’ toes by talking about their friends behind their back. Because that’s how it will be seen.

Before I left my last job, an employee was hired and took the position of a friend and coworker who moved, immediately she was complaining about small little things in her new job. Things that my friend didn’t do wrong, just did differently, this person left an immediate distaste in my mouth. She right away ruled out any trust that I would have in her because she wasted no time in commenting negatively about someone she did not even know.

2. Don’t act like a know-it-all.

Because you don’t know it all, and acting like it only makes people not like you. Recognize that you will need help sometimes and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something.

3. Ask a lot of questions!

You want to know your job and do it well right? You have to ask questions in order to do it right, if there are other employees that do the same job, don’t interrupt, but ask them questions when it’s convenient for them so that they don’t get annoyed.

4. Don’t move in!

Don’t bring a bag of crap your third day there and set up house. Bringing personal things should be gradual, not all at once, if your kids are all teenagers, don’t bring baby pictures for your desk all the way up through high school. Exercise a little common sense.

5. Don’t try to be everyone’s best friend, friendships will come naturally.

And don’t be a needy coworker either and expect drinks with the guys/girls by Friday, you’re expecting too much. If you’re a likeable person, they will come to you. Smile a lot.

I’m off to my fourth day at my new job, those of you doing it with me, good luck to you :D!