Not asking enough questions is viewed as the top mistake. No one expects you to know it all on day one. Learning the ropes of a new position is hard. That’s why you should not be embarrassed to ask things like, “What is the approval process for this initiative?” or even, “How do I set up my printer?”
Requesting clarification lets your boss and colleagues know you’re eager to learn and get things right, while also being confident enough to ask for help. While you don’t want to bother colleagues with endless requests for assistance, most will be happy to show you the ropes (after all, they were once new employees, too). So instead of keeping quiet or remaining in the dark about something, take initiative to get the scoop from a coworker or your manager when starting a new job.
The second biggest mistake noted in the survey cautions you to tread lightly when bringing up a past employer or project. Your new employer may not appreciate constant comparisons between your former and current position. Also, refrain from talking negatively about your old job, coworkers or boss — it’ll likely make people apprehensive about how you speak about them in the future. That being said, you don’t need to stifle your insights. If you can apply your experience at another organization to your new projects, share your thoughts freely — your expertise is a big part of why you were hired in the first place.
