Rule #3: Mind Your Manners
This one reminds me of the potential employee my friend once interviewed. In the middle of the interview, this woman reached into her bag and pulled out a water bottle. She took a big gulp of water right in the middle of the interview. On an interview and in the workplace, it is important to remember proper etiquette. People may not remember your politeness, but they certainly will remember rude behavior.
Somewhat related to this is another rule -- save off color jokes and stories for your friends. They have no place in the workplace, especially one with which you are unfamiliar. You don't know your co-workers' personalities well enough to know what reactions these jokes and stories will engender. Do not use company email to forward jokes to your friends -- they can easily wind up in the wrong hands. Another friend accidently accessed the wrong list in her address book when trying to forward a joke to her friends. She ended up sending the joke to her company's directors. Ooops.
Rule #4: Keep Your Ear to the Grapevine But Don't Contribute to It
The grapevine should be considered the unofficial office newsletter. It is important to pay attention to what is being said. You can gain valuable insight into office dynamics, co-worker's personalities, and who to stay away from on a particular day.It is more important not to contribute to the grapevine. This holds especially true when you are new. You don't want to begin your career with a reputation for being a gossip. And remember how small a world it truly is. Your reputation can follow you for years to come.
