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Twelve On-the-Job Habits that Could Ruin Your New Career
by Janet Horton

Showing Up Late
Showing up fifteen minutes late to work may seem petty when taking into consideration all your other accomplishments, but the ones who are always on-time don’t see it that way. Tardiness from the workers is the number one complaint of employers and it conveys a prima-donna attitude. Always be on time!

Doing a Disappearing Act
Always be prompt not just in getting to work but also in returning from lunch, the bathroom or even trips to the copy machine. It also helps to let a co-worker know where you are going, even if it’s just a short trip. It lets others know that you are working and can be counted on.

Coming In TOO Loud and Clear
People with loud voices usually don’t realize it until they are asked to talk softer. In order to avoid having to be told to be quieter, listen to others around you and make sure that you don’t top them. Tone it down so that everyone can concentrate on work.

Barging Right In
Control the impulse to jump into a conversation in the middle of someone else’s sentence. It is a good way to make enemies in the work place. Also use the same caution when entering a colleague’s office. Knock first and ask if it is an opportune moment.

Making Personal Calls on the Boss’s Time.
We all need to make personal calls at some point while we are at work, but keep the conversation short and to the point so that you are not viewed as taking advantage of the situation.

Dressing to Excess
Although dress codes for women are not as clear cut, a good rule of thumb is to dress for the level to which you aspire. Leave short skirts, gaudy earrings, and cleavage revealing clothes in the closet and opt for a more conservative look.

Committing Grooming Gaffes
Avoid big hair, Barbie Doll make-up, and overwhelmingly strong perfumes.

Being a Little Piggy
Make sure you and your space are pleasant to be around. Personal cleanliness is a must! Avoid utter chaos on your desk that would interfere with your productivity and always clean up any mess you make in shared places. After lunch, don’t leave your leftovers festering in your trash.

Complaining All the Time
You must be a team-player to succeed. If you do have a grievance, be constructive and suggest a solution. People who are always dissatisfied are usually handed a pink-slip.

Spreading the (Bad) Word
Even if you can’t resist hearing the latest office gossip, don’t be the one to dish it out. Avoid dealing in personal matters or critical judgements.

Using Street Talk
Using curse words makes you appear uneducated and coarse. Avoid engaging in sexually explicit conversations too as it may offend and you are perceived as having bad judgment.

Smoking Out Your Colleagues
People are concerned about having a healthy environment. Never smoke at your desk. Instead go outside or into a designated smoking area.





	RETURN TO LIST OF ARTICLES Twelve On-the-Job Habits that Could Ruin Your New Career by Janet Horton Showing Up Late Showing up fifteen minutes late to work may seem petty when taking into consideration all your other accomplishments, but the ones who are always on-time don’t see it that way. Tardiness from the workers is the number one complaint of employers and it conveys a prima-donna attitude. Always be on time! Doing a Disappearing Act Always be prompt not just in getting to work but also in returning from lunch, the bathroom or even trips to the copy machine. It also helps to let a co-worker know where you are going, even if it’s just a short trip. It lets others know that you are working and can be counted on. Coming In TOO Loud and Clear People with loud voices usually don’t realize it until they are asked to talk softer. In order to avoid having to be told to be quieter, listen to others around you and make sure that you don’t top them. Tone it down so that everyone can concentrate on work. Barging Right In Control the impulse to jump into a conversation in the middle of someone else’s sentence. It is a good way to make enemies in the work place. Also use the same caution when entering a colleague’s office. Knock first and ask if it is an opportune moment. Making Personal Calls on the Boss’s Time. We all need to make personal calls at some point while we are at work, but keep the conversation short and to the point so that you are not viewed as taking advantage of the situation. Dressing to Excess Although dress codes for women are not as clear cut, a good rule of thumb is to dress for the level to which you aspire. Leave short skirts, gaudy earrings, and cleavage revealing clothes in the closet and opt for a more conservative look. Committing Grooming Gaffes Avoid big hair, Barbie Doll make-up, and overwhelmingly strong perfumes. Being a Little Piggy Make sure you and your space are pleasant to be around. Personal cleanliness is a must! Avoid utter chaos on your desk that would interfere with your productivity and always clean up any mess you make in shared places. After lunch, don’t leave your leftovers festering in your trash. Complaining All the Time You must be a team-player to succeed. If you do have a grievance, be constructive and suggest a solution. People who are always dissatisfied are usually handed a pink-slip. Spreading the (Bad) Word Even if you can’t resist hearing the latest office gossip, don’t be the one to dish it out. Avoid dealing in personal matters or critical judgements. Using Street Talk Using curse words makes you appear uneducated and coarse. Avoid engaging in sexually explicit conversations too as it may offend and you are perceived as having bad judgment. Smoking Out Your Colleagues People are concerned about having a healthy environment. Never smoke at your desk. Instead go outside or into a designated smoking area. RETURN TO LIST OF ARTICLES