Mistakes I Made in my Early Career | Avoid these to be happier and more successful at work! 

Thank you for watching this video 💖 Let me know if you can relate to any of these mistakes, or any others you may have made that you think will help others. We're all learning and growing together!

Okay last comment lol 😅 I’ve realized that people don’t quit the job, they often quit the manager! You’re so right that the managers job is to allow for space for questions. I like my job now, and a huge part of that is my manager. She’s always asking how she can support me, what i need, and always reinforcing my boundaries. Triple checking if I’m comfortable. That has been SUCH a game changer. The door is open for me to use if I need! as a coordinator, I learned that having people work under me , the most important quality they can have is letting me know when they don’t understand. But for that to happen, I have to be superrrr encouraging and safe !

I definitely relate with not asking enough questions. When I was younger and I first started working ( I think I was about 19-20 years old) I was afraid to ask questions cause I felt like I was going to be annoying or seem stupid but now at 26 years old I realize that asking questions is important in order to do your job in the best way possible. Unfortunately in my last job our manager would get mad if we asked her questions but that was a problematic situation to begin with. Healthy work environments will encourage you to ask questions. Great video Zoe! 💕

Im completely agreeing with the boundaries thing. I was in a big 4 too. I just don't think anyone will really accept a younger member of staff setting boundaries; it's perceived ultra negatively. I know that because I set my own boundaries as an intern, and decided I would work no more than the hours I got paid. It wasn't a good look, and my manager gave me so much shit for it I actually left the company. But honestly, I just feel like deep down I know I have to be pushing more than 9 to 5, and that honestly as 8:30 to 7:30 is pretty standard in business if you want to "make it". I struggle with managing my ambition and my deep love for actually living. Feels like there's no middle ground honestly

We're the same age so we've had similar struggles. I was so bad at asking questions, partly because I felt I didn't have enough time to process the info, but mostly because I was afraid of looking dumb. This just caused a cycle of "I don't know what X is and at this point I'm too afraid to ask." I no longer struggle with this because I realized it's better to admit ignorance and learn quickly, but it can really make your work difficult at first.

i def have fear of failure but didn’t realize I have fear of success until watching this video. i think that’s more dangerous as it can lead to self sabotage. thanks for sharing these “mistakes” - I def related to all of them!

i literally got in "trouble" once for asking too much questions and i resent that person that called me out on it to this day

It’s so comforting to hear you struggled with asking questions at your first job! I had the same struggle. I’m now realizing that it likely stems from “not knowing what you don’t know.”

Some supervisors are complete jerks when you ask questions. They act like it is the stupidest question in the world. Some of the questions I asked were great questions and issues that needed to be addressed. I was written up. Some managers think that employees slow everyone down when you ask questions. Don't blame yourself. You were probably in a toxic work environment and your intuition was telling you to not to ask questions.

I can relate to this video so much. I worked at Deloitte for 3 years and the environment there was so incredibly toxic. My boss would send me emails at night, colleagues would contact me when I was on holiday etc. Its just ridiculous that they present the fact they give you an iphone and a notebook (well they dont give it to you, they still own it of course) as a benefit… it is in no way a benefit cause its their way of keeping tabs on you and have you within nonstop reach to bother you in your free time. It was just so so sick and toxic. Really I do not recommend any of the big4 companies… not if you want to maintain your mental health.

Great points. On the flip side, as a manager myself, I always feel like I am pushing boundaries (since I'm an introvert and pretty quiet myself)..but if you ask questions everyone wins tbh.

Such a great video that every young professional should watch! I also got a consulting job offer right before I left for study abroad and came back feeling not excited about corporate. I don’t know HOW companies expect 20 something’s to still be in the same mindset when they accepted their job offer a YEAR before the start date. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Wow you have no idea how much I needed to hear this! Twenty one right now and currently starting my career in the legal field and I can already relate to the fear of failure and letting people down in a high pressure environment. Sometimes I still have those moments of doubt and anxiety. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability with us!❤️

Asking for more work when you need it is a good tip. Especially when you're new in a job or at a company, management may intend to start you off slowly but forget to scale up down the line. I've never felt that I had enough to do in my early months and that can be as discouraging as not understanding your work at all

I just kept saying “ yes exactly” and nodding my head the whole way through 😂 suchhhh practical and real advice !

All of your mistakes are the same as me omfg 🤯 it’s funny how we always think we’re the only ones feeling this way, but sooo many people go through it

Great Video - Here are some things I wish I would have done in previous jobs/when I was younger: (A) At the end of a meeting, particularly when you are being assigned something, paraphrase what you are being asked to do and ask the manager to confirm. This shows you are engaged and offers managers the opportunity to let you know anything they want different/you left out (B) If you are getting done with your work faster than you thought (especially in these remote work days) - work (independently) on a side gig (or work to get one going) and/or developing new skills. Use that time to work on stuff that will further yourself. As much as your employer says everyone is part of the "work family" it's all a bunch of BS. They don't give a shit about you. If you were a family you wouldn't have a work contract stating you are an at will employee. They don't give a shit about you. If they can dump you for a cheaper version or get what you are doing automated they will dump your ass in a second. They won't view you as a work "family member" or "team member". (C) You hit the nail on the head with boundaries. If you don't have any they will keep giving you more and more and more work. When you don't keep up they will tell you you're a low performer. If you don't put you first and value your time nobody else will either - remember - companies have boundaries - they tell you all the rules you have to follow, stuff you can get fired for, etc. - and those are just the boundaries you know about - then there are the corporate boundaries that they don't tell you - raking of employees - they use this list to determine who they will layoff first if times are bad, etc. Since companies, and bosses, have boundaries you should too!

WOW, thank you so much for these very insightful tips! ❤❤❤

You seriously have perfect timing and such good tips! Loving all of your videos you’ve been really helping me out thank you ✨

Thanks Zoe! I just started this new job and this video really helped me calm a lot of worries and fears I have about it. I hope it gets better with time!

Amazing video as always, Zoe!

100% on boundaries. I used to work long hours. When I started my current job, I just decided to leave at 5 most days. A lot of coworkers work longer hours, but it turns out no one really cares as long as I'm meeting my deadlines (of course, this depends on how toxic your company is). I agree it helps with respect, it makes people realize you and your time is valuable. Also, I NEVER put instant messaging on my phone or stay signed in on our chat platform past 6, even if I'm working late. I'll check email on my phone sometimes, but I figure if something's really urgent they can call me. No one needs the expectation that I'll be checking instant messages at night. That's a huge boundary for me.

Such a great video as I gear up to start my career as a recent grad. Thank you 🙏

about to graduate and this is so helpful zoe!! so glad that you’re reflecting and growing ❤️ here for it all

Really good video, a lot of your points are very relatable. Thanks for your honesty x

Your video on career advice is probably the most relatable and useful I've ever run into. Thank you for sharing your personal journey!

I definitely relate with so many of these! I still feel scared that I'm asking too many questions, especially when my peers around me aren't asking any questions either, it makes me feel like I'm supposed to already know all these things, which ends up feeding more into my impostor syndrome at work 🙃 I also relate with not being able to set boundaries, especially since I'm just starting out my career, I feel like I need to go above and beyond all the time, if not I just feel easily replaceable and not secure

Thank you so much for this video and for the last point of your heart not being in it. That's so hard to admit to ourselves sometimes and takes a lot of introspection to acknowledge it but it's absolutely necessary!

Very informative video Zoe for young professionals entering the workforce. I hope they are truly taking notes. Good mgrs really do want you to succeed.

Thank you so much for being open and honest. I just started my first job out of college (environmental consulting woo!) and hearing your experiences and advice has really lifted a whole weight off my chest. You are helping so many people. So glad I found your channel!!

I love all your videos I just watch everything you upload 💓💓💓

I'm relating massively to the fear and self doubt, comparing myself etc. May I just say you are so enlightened, I am almost 31 and having similar realisations! I hope that doesn't sound condescending, I'm just amazed at how differently I behaved when I was your age. Really enjoyed the video 😊 x

Regardless of age everyone needs to watch your video Zoe. This is not just dedicated to work alone but day to day interaction. Thank you Zoe. You are doing a great job here with your vlogs on RU-vid.

Just got rid of my cc debt and thought of you! Love your videos.

I really like this video, Zoe. Good job! I enjoy your chanel a lot :)

❤️❤️ We love the vulnerability! So excited to see you really blossom in your RU-vid career and follow your passions! I feel like in more recent months you’ve really been putting yourself and your mental health first and that has really helped your channel grow and your career too! V proud and excited for you!

I can totally relate to the comparison of others etc. I work in big tech corporate and it’s so easy to compare yourself when you have access to the internal database of employees. I feel like there’s this constant expectation to get promoted, move up and do more. I feel guilty for being happy with where I’m at. Truthfully I want to leave corporate and start an Airbnb business. Corporate is challenging but it’s STABLE income. Ugh.

Thank you so so much for being so honest and sharing your advice! I can really tell that everything you said is heartfelt

As a hiring mgr, I love questions! There's nothing worse than giving instructions and you ask if there's questions and you say no! If you don't have questions at the moment because of information overload, you can easily say; "I believe your instructions make sense, but if I have questions, will you be available to answer? Setting clear expectations in the beginning really avoids alot of work conflicts. Mgrs deal with blank page anxiety too! We too have bosses...lol

I loved this video. It really resonated with me

I totally needed a video to watch on the treadmill THANK YOU

So happy that I found your channel as I am about to enter the work force after my degree! Such good advice. Thank you ☺️🍀

Hey, Zoe. I watch your videos and don’t really comment but I thought I would today. I am thinking of unsubscribing from a lot of RU-vid Finance channels, including people like Graham Stephan. I love your content because it’s real and honest. Other RU-vidrs make most of their income from RU-vid and that kind of puts me off. I don’t know how to take them seriously if they haven’t really made their millions outside RU-vid. Graham and others also make a lot of content which highlights that RU-vid is one of the best ways to make an income, RU-vid is great but there are so many other things in the world we could contribute our energy and time towards to make a living. There’s some amazing companies to invest in, why not try to be the creators of those companies? I dunno, these days I am finding the personal finance space kind of toxic. I enjoy your content because you don’t pretend to be someone who is perfect. You don’t hide your flaws and I appreciate it. I’m sick of hearing from people pretending to be successful only because they have a RU-vid channel and a high subscriber count. Yikes.

It's really interesting watching your channel because I was in a similar boat to you. Left a pretty decent job to work at a Big 4 consulting firm and then just recently got fired. I don't regret consulting but wasn't my brightest idea.

Girl, had to pause your video to let you know that I am 70 and still making mistakes. However, passed mistakes made me a stronger and more confident woman. What I have learned you have to make mistakes to learn and grow. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms to - to choose one’s attitude in any giving set of circumstances to choose one’s own way.” -Vicktor Frankel Don’t make the same mistakes and expect different results, make mistakes your school of learning. You got this Zoe go out there and be all that you can be. -

Ah yes asking questions 😅🙈 I think it’s important whether you’re early in your career or you already have a few years of experience, especially when joining a new company!

I commented previously about not being so hard on yourself and its ok to not be a fit for a job (you'll get many chances trust me). Looks like you've evolved your mindset, keep leveling up, it's infinite. Have you read Rich dad poor dad or Think and Grow Rich or Millionaire next door? These 3 changed my life.

I worked at a bank for a short period of time, and I refused to hang out with the (toxic) staff outside of paid hours. My boss constantly said I wasn’t a team player cause I wouldn’t go to Kareoke nights 🥴 looking back I should’ve left as soon as the biggest red flag came around. So not worth the time I stayed! I ended up quitting and he froze my personal bank account!

This video was amazing.

I cannot imagine a life anymore where someone is asking me to cancel or skip commitments/hobbies/wellbeing activities/connection with friends and loved ones cause of work. Fuck that. Never again. Just getting into my 30s and I have no intention of feeling guilted into being working overnight. Especially those who are overachievers or constantly feel they have something to prove and sets expectations so high you get this self-filling prophecy of work cultures becoming increasingly toxic (long working hours, over worked, or hard to manage workloads). Unless I am passionate about the company mission or product -- I'm there to contribute and bring what ever I can to the table, and be done for the day. Sorry not sorry I want a life to live after 5pm. When I close my eyes on this earth for the final time, I will not be thinking about "Damn I really should've work that night X years ago for X client. That would have brought me more fulfillment."

I was ignorant and very naive when I start working. I had no idea it was like this like wow 10:54 yes. Due to past experiences, I don’t want to “bother” people but i need to in order to know more & do my job correctly. Lol I don’t want more work. I thought I could do the bare minimum and get paid but NOPE the world doesn’t work that way. Too bad I don’t have a hard time saying ‘no’ it’s enforcing it and setting it through. 15:05 I wasn’t aware of what ‘boundaries’ were

Not asking questions and not asking for help was my mistake too

You look very pretty today! 🎈🎈

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#MY STRENGTH'S -Mininum Client Face -Long Planning -Analysis -Logic -Strategy -Organized Which Job Is Best For Me ? 😊

What do you mean by a fear of success?

Hi zoe

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my biggest successes came after my perceived biggest failures...

There's no way I'm asking for more work

Great video. New to budgeting community hope 🙏 for some love ❤️

I feel sorry for this females. The 1 and only mistake you made is to be a feminist. Second, it’s to call a job a career. Poor little girls and their empowerment. 😂