How to Lose a Job in 10 Days

Mindy Thomas
Mon, 28 Apr 2014 07:00:00 +0000

I never cease to be amazed how the same people who can talk themselves into a new job can also walk themselves out of that very same job. First impressions may be important, but so are second ones!

Following are eight fatal mistakes to avoid when you have a job offer signed, sealed, and delivered:

1. Showing up late for training. A millennial client of mine who just landed a job with a bank recently told me that 3 out of 20 people in her new employee training group were late on their first day of work. When starting a new position, it’s imperative that you arrive fully prepared and on time when your presence is expected.

2. Not using your interpersonal skills with coworkers or across departments. Even if you are doing a great job with your own projects and responsibilities but you don’t get along with others in your company, you are headed for trouble. Aside from layoffs, an inability to get along with others is the No. 1 reason people get booted. So, even if you are working hard, make sure you are also devoting some energy to being pleasant to work with and well liked across the organization.

3. Violating or ignoring the company dress code. Professional dress codes are established for a reason, and very likely your company’s guidelines are outlined in the employee manual. If you plan on advancing up the corporate ladder, make sure you dress the part. If you’re unsure how to present yourself, there are numerous department stores that offer complimentary personal shopping services, like Macy’s MBA (Macy’s By Appointment).

4. Gossiping about your new trainer, coworkers, or boss. Bad energy begets bad news for you. Negative news expands at a rate that you can’t believe, so distance yourself from those people who are trashing the company or its employees. You need to increase your likeability factor, not decrease it. Manage your likeability factor up and down -- from the secretaries and security guards to the janitors and cafeteria staff. Remember, loose lips sink ships.

5. Aligning yourself with the same people every day. The fact is that perception is everything. Since you are the newbie, you have no way of knowing what the political terrain is before you get hired. It’s important to assess who the key personnel are and who’s not aligned properly with management. Assess everyone (quietly in your head) and watch your chess moves along with theirs.

6. Texting constantly and allowing your ringer to sound off every time you receive a text. Need I say anything more about making personal calls, incessant texting, and using social media at work? It’s bad form and makes you look unprofessional and immature.

7. Using Facebook or Twitter to discuss your new company. Making negative or critical comments on public forums about your company or job can be a dangerous game. Doing so has cost people their jobs -- sometimes when they didn’t even say anything wrong. Play it safe and avoid it at all costs. You never know who might be reading your words.

8. Not calling your boss if you’ll be late to work. Common sense dictates that you need to communicate with your supervisor or team when you are unable to get to the office on time. It’s a huge mistake not to reach out and let the office know you have run into problems. Thinking about getting through that traffic jam or not finding a parking spot at the train station are realistic issues, but nothing is worse than not communicating.

While some of these fatal mistakes may seem obvious, far too many people make them again and again. If you’ve just landed the job of your dreams, it’s important to take note and make a conscious effort to avoid these common career pitfalls. The decisions and impression you make will play a pivotal role in your future success.