tweet194EmailPrintHeather Huhman, On Monday June 27, 2011, 9:55 am EDT Everyone makes mistakes–but some of those mistakes are more avoidable than others. When it comes to your job, even just one mistake could result in major consequences for your career. Impress your employer by avoiding the following mistakes: Mistake #1: Being unavailable It’s inevitable that, at some point, your supervisor or co-workers will approach you and ask for your help on an outside project or assignment. Although it might be tempting ignore those emails or say no to additional work, don’t. You might think that no one will notice if you don’t help with extra work, but they will. And, although it’s not technically in your job description, more companies today must do more with less–meaning each employee needs to be flexible and multi-skilled. Make yourself indispensible by pitching in on other assignments when possible. (Of course, don’t overextend yourself to the point where you can’t get your normal work done.) [See 12 Common Work Email Mistakes.] Mistake #2: Failing to dress to impress Some of the best job advice I’ve heard is to to always dress at least one step above your current position. It helps others picture you working above your current position and makes you look extremely professional. You’re not just an intern/entry-level professional, you have the potential to be so much more–so act like it. Mistake #3: Trying to complete every task to perfection No one is perfect. And while doing projects to the best of your ability is something you should strive to do, it doesn’t mean you’ll never make a mistake or do something incorrectly. If you make a mistake, own up to it and correct it. Remember to not lose sight of the overall goal by focusing too much on the little details. You could potentially miss deadlines and quality of your work–not to mention drive your co-workers (and boss) crazy. Mistake #4: Waiting for feedback Many workplaces still don’t give employees feedback more than a few times per year. If you wait around for feedback for several months, you’re doing yourself (and your organization) a disservice. Instead of waiting for your supervisor to come to you, ask to set up a quick meeting to discuss your progress thus far and any improvements you could make. Bring up specific projects you’ve completed and ask for feedback on things you were unsure about. This way, you know where you stand in your position and at the company–before a formal performance review comes across your desk. [See How to Mesh In-Person and Online Networking.] Mistake #5: Hiding out at your desk Even if you’re doing spectacular work, you could be overlooked if you sit at your desk each day and avoid interactions with co-workers and upper management. When you need a break, head over to the break room or cafeteria and interact with other workers in your office. Not only will this help reduce stress on the job, but you’ll have the potential to make some great professional relationships, too. Mistake #6: Not asking questions Some people think asking questions is a sign of weakness. But when you’re unsure how to complete a task, it can be hard to do it the right way the first time without clarification. When assigned a new project, ask any questions that might come up right then and there. You might also want to inquire about how your success will be measured and how often you should update your boss on the progress. Your supervisor would much rather that you ask questions now in order to avoid potential problems later. [See Why Loving Your Work Matters.] Mistake #7: Ignoring the corporate culture When you first start on a new job, it’s important to take note of cultural differences from previous workplaces. What does everyone wear on a daily basis? How much socialization goes on during the workday? Do employees tend to come in early or stay late? What is the typical mode of communication for the office? Assimilating to the culture is a great way to fit in quickly at the organization and get along with other employees. What other mistakes have you made on the job? How did you avoid those mistakes in the future? Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and employers. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010) and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets. Follow Yahoo! Finance on Twitter; become a fan on Facebook. Top Stories IMF: U.S. Should Hike Debt Limit to Avert Global Shock – Reuters Greek Parliament passes key austerity package – CNBC Stocks mixed after Greece passes debt solution – AP Holmes: 3 reasons $100 oil is here to stay – The Daily Ticker 688 commentsShow: Newest FirstOldest FirstHighest RatedMost Replied Post a comment Comments 1 – 10 of 688FirstPrevNextLast0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentTravelerG23 3 minutes ago Report Abuse Want to know my biggest mistake in the corporate world? I had a great job which I loved and the President of the Board of Directors, Patrick hired this guy that was an alcoholic and was creating a great deal of complaints from the clients. I talked to the President of the Board of Directors about this guy. Two days later my position was eliminated. After 9 yrs I was out the door. Clients were upset and the drunk stayed. Must have been a relative of the Board President, Patrick, who by the way was the biggest jackass that ever lived! Corporate America will slit your throat and hire in the next individual making half of what you were paid. No one cares. No loyality from corporate heads.Reply 1 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentA Yahoo! User 9 minutes ago Report Abuse #1 Working long hours and weekends was expected, it just took me away from my family. #2 Don’t dress nicer then your boss or you will get the “Who the hlll do you think you are attitude?’ #3 You have to be perfect if you have a boss that picks apart everything your and every decision you make and everything your say. #4 Formal preformance review – Waste of time on admin when there are sales to make, who are you again? #5 What are you doing away from your desk and phone when your have a pile of paperwork to do, how many times did you go to the bathroom today? #6 “How much clearer do I need to be in answer to your question?’ #7 Corporate – fat manicured cats from the city driving their black and chrome money dripping vehicles in their suits walking in and looking around with their dead eyes. I lasted 7 years and I have never had a manicure I bought food instead.Reply 3 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentMike 11 minutes ago Report Abuse I have no desire to sacrifice my individuality for a paycheck. They are looking to make slaves out of all of us, and I refuse to cooperate.Reply 0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentGodère Patrice 15 minutes ago Report Abuse Respect is the core of success and this leads to great co-operation as a allReply 1 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentBig T 20 minutes ago Report Abuse This article doesn’t apply to me. You guys might not know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack.Reply 1 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentRoy Tyrell 22 minutes ago Report Abuse bottom line is, we are all scumbags. “employers” eat, s–t, sleep and die (eventually) just like everyone else. As the quality of our culture declines, so too do the people running it. I would cheerfully screw and employer if I got a big payday out of it… because I know they are out to screw me. It is a psychological game, they are not doing you a “favor” by offering you a job, and you are not doing them a favor by showing up in the morning. worrying too much about your “career” just shows how weak-minded you are… You have no career, you are there until they decide they no longer need you. everything else is @#$%.Reply 2 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentBowDaddy 28 minutes ago Report Abuse Corporate America deminishes the rights of the individual worker.Replies (1) 1 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentFoodStampNation 30 minutes ago Report Abuse Corporate Culture???? they say you have to fit in… no wonder brown noser have excellent careerReply 2 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 1 users disliked this commentA Yahoo! User 31 minutes ago Report Abuse Hello, people. Why do you think corporations have so much power over workers? Could it be because their friends in office have succeeded in demonizing the labor movement in the US? If you want to regain some measure of control over your lives, organize and get some of your power back.Reply 2 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this commentRusty 31 minutes ago Report Abuse Mistake #8: Refusing to bend over and spread cheeksReplies (1) Comments 1 – 10 of 688FirstPrevNextLastPost a comment Sign in to post a comment, or Sign up for a free account. Sponsored Links Local Financing Find Financing Near You. See Actual Customer Reviews! Local.comHow Reverse Mortgage Are You 62+ & Need Secure Income? Learn How Reverse Mortgages Work. Mortgage-Reverse.com/ReverseFind a Job in Akron Search hundreds of jobs in the Akron area. Find your new job today! http://www.akronjobsline.comGet Online Degree Faster Get your degree online faster than you think. 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