8 Mistakes I Made Early in my Career

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Even the best employees make mistakes. Everyone does. It happens. It’s what we do with those mistakes that really count. Did we try to fix things as soon as we found out? Did we apologize, if necessary? And most importantly, did we learn from them so that we don’t make the same mistakes again?

In my first few jobs after I graduated college, I felt invincible. I did a five-year Bachelor’s and Master’s program, so I really felt entitled when I entered the workplace. I thought I knew everything. I thought I was going to come in with my high GPA and graduate degree and just kick ass. Instead, my ass got kicked.

It’s not to say I didn’t work hard and listen to my superiors. I most certainly did. My parents raised me right. But I definitely held an air of condescension. I didn’t even realize it until recently. I used to complain about my bosses and how they ran their department. I thought I could do it better. Maybe I could, but probably not. I didn’t know as much as I thought I did.

Luckily, I’m a quiet person, so I didn’t open my mouth and make an ass of myself. I’m sure that would have been hilarious, though. I think in seeing younger employees now, I see a little hint of myself back then. When you’re 23 and find your big girl job, you feel pretty special. And sometimes that can go straight to your head.

Now, looking back, I can pinpoint several mistakes I made when I was first starting out in my career.

1. Thinking I knew everything. I didn’t. I still don’t. And quite frankly, no one does. It takes a lot of years to really get a grasp of your career. Not only are you learning the in’s and out’s of your particular job, but you’re also learning about the company, about your colleagues and about your industry. I don’t care how smart you are, how many degrees you have or how much money you make. You do not know everything.
2. Making assumptions. This one really hit me hard. I actually almost got myself in very big trouble and my boss stopped me and said “Never make assumptions.” The advice stuck. But before I realized it, I would make assumptions all the time. I would assume that someone else would take care of it. I would assume that a client was happy. I would assume I had completed tasks in the best way possible. The answer is easy. Always ask. Always cover your bases. Always double check, even if you think you know the answer. It’s better to ask than to miss something completely.
3. Thinking I asked too many questions. You can never ask too many questions. (See #2). Always ask instead of thinking you’re being a bother. I can guarantee that your boss would rather you ask the question before you start a project than to have to fix a mistake after the fact. If you’re not sure, just ask. If you want to know more, just ask.  
4. Not speaking up with a new idea. Sometimes it’s easy to just sit back and let other people do the talking. When I first started working, I would see things and think they could be done in a better or more efficient way. Sometimes fresh eyes offer a new perspective. But I was often too shy to speak up. In situations like this, it took me a long time to find the nerve to offer a suggestion. Yet, when I did, it usually ended with a positive result. Either my team would take my suggestion and I would get credit for a great idea. Or they would explain to me why my suggestion wouldn’t work, but they still saw my interest and attention to the project. Either way, your bosses will notice when you bring ideas to the table. So speak up.
5. Getting involved in office gossip. I was never much of a gossip. I don’t really care what other people are up to. But you know, I’m human, and sometimes the easiest way to make friends is to jump in on conversations. When the constant buzz in the office is about other people’s personal business, it’s better to stay away. Even if it means you don’t talk to half the staff, it’s better than becoming involved in unnecessary drama. I’ve seen too many times how people get sucked into petty fights and it just makes for poor morale. We’re not in high school anymore, so don’t act like it.
6. Not enjoying menial tasks. You know when you first start out, it’s usually in a role that’s making copies or answering phone lines or sorting mail. I used to think I was too good for that stuff. Well, the truth is, most people are too good for that stuff. But someone has to do it. And when you’re the new guy, it’s probably going to be on you. The weird thing is, as you move up the ranks and your job gets harder, sometimes those menial tasks seem more appealing. Whether you’re pouring your heart into a long report, deciphering statistics or dealing with an issue, sometimes standing at a copier making copies sounds so much better.
7. Not networking. Or not keeping up with connections. Seriously, this is one of the most important things for anyone’s career. Meet people in your field. Meet people not in your field. Meet people who are your peers. Meet people who are more experienced than you. And don’t forget to make connections and keep them. If you talk to someone at a networking event, ask for their card. And then send them a follow up email. Ask to meet for coffee. Don’t just add them to your LinkedIn network and then never speak with them again. Trust me. Every personal connection counts. Don’t miss out.
8. Overthinking things. I still do this one, but at least now I’m more conscious of it. I will literally sit and think about something far longer than needed. I get stuck in my head. I run through every possibility that could go wrong. I talk myself in and then immediately talk myself out again. It’s called analysis paralysis and it’s a major time suck. If you feel yourself falling into this pattern, refer back to #3. Ask someone for help. Run an idea by a colleague. Better yet, ask your boss or mentor. Don’t just sit in your cubicle spinning your wheels. You’ll find an answer, you probably know it already, but sometimes you just need to stop overthinking and start acting.

Well, there you go. I made a lot of mistakes in the first few years of my career. And I’m still making mistakes. This list is far from complete, but these are several that I think are most important to learn and change early. If you find yourself in any of these situations, just remember that you can change things. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how you handle those mistakes that define you as an employee.  

Show your boss that you’re proactive by acknowledging your mistakes and looking for solutions to fix them. It didn’t take me long to come up with this, so I’m curious to know some mistakes others have made early in their careers. Can you relate to any of the mistakes I’ve listed above? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.