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Everyone makes mistakes; mistakes, mishaps and blunders are a part of the human existence that we will never figure out how to airbrush out of our lives. Just as we do not expect ourselves, our friends or our family members to be perfect, we must always remember that our co-workers are human, too–and they just might goof up. If you’ve ever made a mistake, continuing reading for tips about common on-the-job mistakes and how to smooth them over.

  • Mistake #1: Disregarding company culture. If you did your homework before accepting the job offer that landed you in your current position, you probably scoped out the company culture before signing on. And, after you began working, you took note of how people in the office were dressing, their preferred method of communication, their flight patterns (i.e., how often people leave for lunch, or noticing if it is the norm to arrive early or stay late). Examine your daily interactions with the company culture as you ask yourself if you are melding or going against the grain. No one is saying you have to completely go against your comfort level, but it is necessary to make an effort to “do as the Romans are doing” in the workplace.
  • Mistake #2: Failing to dress appropriately. You may not be adhering strictly enough to your company’s outlined dress code. If you have been addressed about a dress code offense by your boss, or if you are uncertain about your attire choices, bring in a friend or family member who has superior sartorial knowledge and have him/her “edit” your work wardrobe. Remember, it is a good rule of thumb to dress not for the job you have, but rather for the job you want.
  • Mistake #3: Refusing additional projects. Unfortunately, many companies are having to do more with less these days, and that includes asking a bit more of their employees. Repeatedly refusing to contribute to additional projects outside of your specified workload can make you seem like an inferior team player. Try instead to make yourself indispensable and make sure you are available for at least 75% of the additional workload asked of you. If you feel your superiors are asking more of you than is reasonable, address that with them if the time comes.
  • Mistake #4: Forgetting to ask questions. In the beginning of a project assignment, it is appropriate (and not at all a sign of weakness as is commonly believed) to ask clarifying questions. In order for you to be able to operate in the way your supervisor is seeking, you must be totally clear on what their expectations are. If you let your questions go unasked, you may be working in the dark, and your results will be shoddy. Instead, ask questions upfront and do your best work with the knowledge that you are working the way you were hired to work. That is a valuable asset to any team!

If you have made any of these mistakes, stop, evaluate what happened, make a plan for doing better, and let it go. Carrying around embarrassment about the incident or anger toward yourself will not help you be the best employee possible. Just try to do better tomorrow!

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