Rosie Ryan, Author at Connect by Nova

Have you just started a new position? Congratulations! The days of job searching, emailing your resume out, meeting with recruiters, prepping and attending interviews are done, but now the real work begins. Avoid these common mistakes when you’re first starting to make sure you set yourself up for long-term success.

The first few weeks in your new role can set the tone for your future in the company, where you fit in, and the relationships you will build with your colleagues and teammates. When starting a new job, most individuals might dive head-first into proving their competence in their new role but may not realize they are making crucial mistakes that may follow them as time goes on.

As a full-time recruiter, I have had the unique opportunity to work directly with hiring managers and HR teams across 100+ companies in Cayman as they look to find the perfect fit for their teams. This list summarises some of the most common mistakes made that make a difference when new starters are looking to develop a stellar reputation when starting a new position.

Being Afraid to Ask Questions

Sometimes you start a new position, and it all seems to fall into place, but if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for help. New starters often feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness in showing you aren’t as competent, but nobody expects you to know it all on day one. Without asking for help when needed, that is a fundamental weakness, and it will only hurt you more as time goes on.

Now, I’m not saying you should ask every question that comes to mind; sometimes, you have to take the initiative to figure things out on your own, but everyone was new at some point, so reach out and ask when needed. Asking questions can help you gain clarity on work, improve your colleague’s perception of you, and ensure that you know what is expected of you moving forward.

Taking Criticism Personally

Criticism can be a difficult pill to swallow sometimes, especially when you’re in a new position, and you haven’t entirely found your footing yet. Even though this may feel uncomfortable at times, it is almost always said to help you become a fully functional part of the team and used as a training/development tool. So, if your team lead or supervisor offers you a critique, accept it with grace, make a note, and keep it in mind for the future when conducting similar tasks again and learn from your mistakes.

Talking Excessively About Your Previous Job/Company

Previous work experience has shaped you; you have learnt from it, and often it is why your new employer hired you, but it doesn’t mean you should spend all your time comparing your former workplace with your current. There is value in your experience, and if you can apply that to your new work and projects, you should share your knowledge and thoughts but keep negative thoughts and comments to yourself.

Forgetting to Mingle

When a hiring manager looks for someone to join their team, they look for a fit for the team and not just the position. So, it’s essential that when you start your new role, you keep this in mind, find ways to meld in with the company culture at your new organization and start cultivating relationships with your coworkers outside the realm of email and Microsoft Teams.

It might feel like extra work, but taking the time to get to know your colleagues will lead to a more enjoyable workday and show that you not only have the expertise and knowledge to do your job but that you are motivated to be a part of the team and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Feeling Like You’re Above Performing Specific Tasks

When you’re in a new position, you’ll likely be assigned some smaller tasks to help get you up to speed. Don’t scoff at this work; take it as a chance to show how well you can perform and build trust with your colleagues. Without that, future assignments may go to someone else.

Even after your first few weeks, I have noticed that one of the most significant indicators of an individual’s success is their willingness to step out from their job title and help get work done. Being a team player doesn’t just mean chatting over some coffee in the breakroom; it also means assisting on tasks where maybe you wouldn’t traditionally. It means being part of the solution.

Starting a new job is daunting, no matter if it’s your first position or a strategic next step in your career. You will make mistakes, and there is always more to learn, but I hope this advice can help you settle into your new role with more confidence.

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Rosie Ryan is a Recruitment Consultant with Nova Recruitment, one of the primary partners of Connect by Nova. If you are currently located in the Cayman Islands and are looking for a dedicated recruiter to help you love your work, Rosie and the team at Nova Recruitment are here to help.

For more tailored career development advice, feel free to email connect@nova.ky and speak to a member of the career team about training and bespoke services offered to help you #AchieveCareerSuccess.

Here are our 5 top tips to remember for any interview!

1. BE ON TIME TO THE INTERVIEW!

This is something so obvious that it shouldn’t even be included on the list! But you would be very surprised to learn how many times people fail to arrive on time for an interview.

Consider how it looks to any employer, when a candidate who should be trying to sell their qualities to them, can’t even get the first basic step right and be available at the time that was arranged. Do not even aim to be there on time, aim to be there early! Then, you can sit and compose yourself before being called in for the interview

2. First Impressions Count…

It is vital to create a great first impression; firm handshake (no need to squeeze!), smile, and maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Give a brief introduction about yourself, and your professional background. Your attitude should be positive and friendly, speak with enthusiasm, and stay focused.

Oh, and turn off your phone! And if by chance you have forgotten to turn it off and it rings during the interview, never ever ever ever answer it!! Again, this should be an obvious one, but some people fail to recognize how bad it looks to an employer when they are more concerned with who is calling or messaging them instead of the job they are trying to obtain. In fact, just leave your phone in the car!

3. Do Your Research

When you know a bit about the company, the role, and the interviewer, you are going to feel a lot more confident and at ease. The more research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions.

Ask your recruiter for as much information as possible, scour the organization’s website and other published material online and ask around in your network – you may know someone that has worked at the company and your recruiter for as much info as possible.

4. Be Aware of How You Are Speaking

Nerves can get the better of us in interview scenarios and that is natural. Consequently, we can end up talking far too quickly. Take deep breaths before the interview and try to moderate your pace throughout the interview.

It is vital that you do not interrupt the interviewer either; nothing is more irritating than someone cutting you off mid-sentence so try not to be impatient when wanting to get your point across. Nobody wants to interview someone who the information has to be dragged out of but it is also important as the interviewee that you do not talk too much! Yes, you’ve got so much to say and an array of experiences to shout about, but the interviewer will be looking for a concise, knowledgeable answer.

5. Ask Questions in the Interview

When the interviewer asks if you have any questions at the end of an interview, never ever say you have no questions!

Studies show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest in the job by whether or not the interviewee asks questions. If you have questions to ask it shows the employer that you have followed point three and researched the company and role as much as possible which already shows a level of engagement and interest that other applicants may not be showing.

As mentioned in point two, first impressions count and you want to present yourself as keen, engaged, enthusiastic, and curious about the opportunity. So, ask about different aspects of the job/company and express interest and excitement in the opportunity, the company, its culture, and people.

Looking to take your interview prep even further? Try downloading our interview cheat sheet to help you be prepared and confident going into every interview!

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