Get into the habit of excelling at work early on

Taking your place among new colleagues is a daunting prospect, particularly if you're joining a large team. In those early weeks, all eyes will be on you so you'd want to avoid making mistakes at work and create a strong impression. But how do you do that?

Examples of common mistakes at work

Here are common, avoidable mistakes that can hinder early success:

  • Failing to ask for clarification

  • Overlooking important steps or workflows

  • Coordinating with the wrong people or not keeping the right people on the loop

  • Neglecting to double-check work

  • Missing deadlines

How to avoid making mistakes at work: 5 habits to adopt

Making mistakes at work happens to everyone. If you're new to the workplace, avoiding them is crucial. But even if you've been employed for a while and still find yourself making mistakes, it's never too late to address the issue. These five habits will help you minimise errors and build your confidence:

1. Get to know your colleagues

It's customary for a new recruit to be welcomed by colleagues and bosses. Use this as a chance to familiarise yourself with the people you'll likely be working with.

Make it a habit to introduce yourself to everyone you meet during your first few weeks. A warm smile and a gracious handshake are your best tools for leaving a friendly yet professional impression. Pay attention to names, roles, work styles, and workplace culture.

How it helps: Building rapport with colleagues helps you identify the right people to approach for input or information down the line. It also fosters better collaboration and reduces the risk of miscommunication.

2. Embrace proactivity and productivity 

Having survived the rigours of the selection process, you're no doubt qualified for the role. Now's the time to demonstrate your commitment and skills to your manager.

Work especially hard in those first few weeks, showing initiative wherever possible. Volunteer for special projects or on-the-job travel opportunities. Even if you're not chosen because you're so new, your proactiveness won't go unnoticed. These efforts will set a strong foundation for future advancement.

How it helps: By approaching your daily work with zealousness, you maintain a level of enthusiasm and diligence that prevents careless oversights like failing to prepare for meetings, missing important details, and disorganisation.  

3. But take breaks too

It's all about balance, however. Burning the midnight oil looks impressive once in a while, but if you're continuously working late, you're going to run out of steam. This could lead to burnout, which not only results in you making even more mistakes at work, but also damages your health.

Prioritise practices that safeguard your well-being, such as getting enough sleep or taking short mental health breaks. Sometimes, slowing down is necessary to go the distance.

How it helps: More than anything, your new employer will be looking for sustained results. Working yourself to the bone in the first few weeks – especially if it leads to you making mistakes at work – won't inspire much confidence in them. Preserving your energy helps maintain your focus, keeping needless errors at bay.

4. Ask questions and welcome feedback 

Acknowledge that you can't get everything right all the time, especially when you're new in the role. If there's something you can't quite wrap your head around, rest assured that asking for assistance won't reflect badly on you.

Quite the opposite, actually. Seeking help and feedback shows your humility and determination to keep working at the highest standards. Refusing help or ignoring feedback, on the other hand, can undermine your manager's confidence in your abilities.

How it helps: Asking questions deepens your understanding of processes and policies, reducing misunderstandings and helping you avoid making mistakes at work. Welcoming feedback also strengthens your skills and relationships, both of which are crucial to your long-term success on the job.

5. Read your onboarding documents – and keep them handy

When you start a new job, you might get some onboarding documents in the form of manuals, emails, video guides or handwritten instructions from your manager. 

While you may be eager to get on with the job, it's important to take your time in reviewing them to understand the expectations of your role. 

How it helps: Your new workplace may operate slightly differently to other places you've worked in the past. By taking the time to familiarise yourself with workplace policies and expectations, you'll avoid making needless assumptions, which most often than not lead to – you guessed it – you making (avoidable) mistakes at work.

Say goodbye to careless mistakes

Making mistakes at work can help us grow, but they shouldn't become habitual. For new employees, avoiding unnecessary errors is key to building trust and demonstrating competence. Stay proactive, balanced, and open to feedback, and you'll set yourself up for success.

When it comes to your CV, precision is just as important. Avoid mistakes there too – send yours for a free, expert review today. 

This article was originally written by Alasdair Lane and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

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