Yes, you finally have the job of your dreams and you cannot wait to start! Of course, you are very excited and want to be settled in as soon as possible but first, unfortunately, you need to get through that stage of ‘being the new one’.

Despite your age, it is important that you remember that you are a professional now and that you act like one as well. So, whatever you do during your first weeks at your new job, try to avoid the following 7 mistakes:

#1 – Not being pro-active

Make sure you never become passive. It is easy to fade into the background as the new employee, but always make sure you stay a pro-active member of the team. Share your opinion and speak up when they ask who wants to do a certain task, people will notice you and you make yourself a valuable member of the team from the start.

#2 – Pretending to understand everything

We probably all have been there, acting like you understood everything they just explained while you actually have no clue what they were talking about. If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification, this will save you and your supervisor time when you end up doing things wrong because you didn’t understand it and also didn’t ask for an explanation.

#3 – Pretend to understand nothing

On the other hand, it is also important not to play ‘dumb’. If you know what to do and how to complete a task well, do it and don’t pretend like you don’t because you don’t want to seem overeager. It shows what skills you have and how you fit in the team. Playing dumb never helped anyone and it won’t help you at your first job either.

#4 – Not being polite

Seems like an obvious one, but still a lot of people forget the office etiquette simply because they are nervous. Always be polite to everyone and greet the secretary when you come in (since they are always the one’s who know everything and everyone in the office and having a good relationship with them always comes in handy). Always say ‘thank you’ and walk around with a smile, it is all about good first impressions.

#5 – Not giving it your all

It might not be your dream job, but the worst thing you can do is act like you are there temporarily. Dedicate and commit yourself to your work because you never know how long you will end up working there and it never did anyone a favor to work in a way that it seems like you already have one foot out the door.

#6 – Trying too hard

Although you must be a pro-active member of the team, don’t be too eager or too loud because you will quickly become the ‘annoying new member’ of the team. Don’t try to compete with members of the team and although it is in your best interest to be outgoing and have personality, it is important to always be yourself.

#7 – Not being social with other employees

You might not like anyone in the office, never ever ignore them or be anti-social. Not only will it make your job nicer and easier, you work in a team so being a team player is important. You never know when you have to work with someone as well, and if they have the feeling that you have been ignoring them or you are known for being the anti-social one in the office, it can make things more awkward than you want them to be.