Are you the problem employee?

How can you tell if you’re wearing a target on your back? Take stock of this list. If many of these items ring true, it’s likely you need to adjust your approach to succeed in your workplace.

1. You say “no” when given a directive from your boss. You don’t need to be a “yes man or woman,” but there is a time and a place for offering an opinion at work. That time is not when a supervisor hands out assignments. If you’re shaking your head (or worse, rolling your eyes in disbelief) when given a new task, you’re probably considered “problem employee #1.”
2. You can’t take “no” for an answer. Even though you think you have a great idea, if no one else agrees and you can’t drop the subject, colleagues and supervisors probably have you pegged as a troublemaker. Maybe you’re convinced that you are ahead of your time and everyone else is clueless. If so, maybe it’s time to start your own business. When you can’t stop harping on the same topic after being told no, it doesn’t bode well for your tenure.
3. You’re convinced you are smarter than everyone at work. Perhaps you are, in fact, the most brilliant in your group. However, if you focus too much on thinking you’re the brightest bulb –- or, alternatively, about how clueless everyone around you is, it could be a sign that you’re a problem employee.
4. You make a lot of excuses; nothing is ever your fault. You couldn’t finish a project because your friend’s sister’s husband needed surgery? If you never fail to have an excuse instead of on-time work, people notice.
5. ‘Team’ is a dirty word for you. Collaboration isn’t your middle name? In some organizations, the lone wolf is the first one shown the door. If you break out in hives at the thought of a group project, and they seem to be assigned more and more frequently, it’s probably time to find a more suitable job before your boss starts offering you “career counseling.”
6. It’s all about you. Whether you like it or not, part of working for someone involves trying to make that person look good. That doesn’t mean that the boss should take credit for all your great work, but it does mean one of your priorities is to consider how you can help your boss and team win favor. If you’re spending all of your time trying to hog the spotlight, you probably aren’t a favorite where you work.
7. Gossip is your hobby and favorite pastime. You are always in the middle of any negative buzz around the office. If nothing gets past you, and you’re the first one to share rumors, especially the most salacious news, you’re not winning friends in high places.
8. You never seem to “get it” the first time. If you’re always the one who needs a “do over” for projects, and you don’t ever finish work without needing a lot of clarification or hand-holding, it’s time to work on your listening skills and learn how to clarify details the first time before you lose your job.
9. You’re a loose cannon. If your boss needs to think twice (or three times) before sending you out to meet clients or customers because he or she is afraid of what impression you’ll give them, it’s not a good sign for your career. Maybe you have a tendency toward profanity, or perhaps you never know when to stop talking and start listening. Either way, it’s not good for your career.
10. You live for the weekend, and everyone knows it. Work-life fit is important, and it’s great to have outside hobbies and interests. However, if you spend your entire week bemoaning the time you’re at work and yearning for the end of the week, you may need to get a new job sooner than you’d like.

The post Are you the problem employee? appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Just because you saw someone in accounting wearing flip-flops, doesn’t mean you should dress like you’re going to the beach. Many organizations encourage comfortable attire, but be careful not to be too quick to try to win the “worst dressed” team member award.

2. Don’t give off a “don’t talk to me” vibe

Maybe you don’t really like people, but if you don’t want to be considered a problem employee, you need to appear approachable. If you walk around with a sour expression, arms crossed in front of you and fail to make eye contact with your colleagues, it may just mean you’re having a bad day or you’re very shy. However, you’ll quickly earn a negative reputation that will be difficult to overcome. Smile, even if you don’t feel like it or if you are having a bad day.

3. Don’t be a slob

At home, if you want to challenge yourself to see how high your piles of junk can get before toppling over, that’s up to you. At work, especially in shared work spaces, it’s important to maintain a neat workspace. If you appear sloppy, people may assume you aren’t organized and can’t handle important responsibilities and you’ll find yourself in a dead-end job.

4. Don’t be a bully

Maybe you were one of the “cool kids” and have a tendency to make fun of people, either to their faces or behind their backs. In the workplace, that can be considered bullying, and can be grounds for being fired in some cases. Regardless of the laws in your state or expectations at your workplace, you aren’t likely to win many friends when people worry they may be your next target.

5. Don’t spill your guts

Do you tend to overshare? At work, it’s best to keep yourself in check and find other people to tell the long, drawn out story of your bad breakup, sex life or wild, partying ways. Keep conversations friendly and professional and keep your personal drama to yourself.

6. Don’t talk about how busy or tired you are

No one cares how busy you are. Everyone is busy, and your job is to get the work done. If you are exceptionally overwhelmed, it’s a good idea to have a conversation with your boss and to ask for some help, but most of your colleagues will quickly tire of hearing about how busy and overwhelmed you are at work.

7. Do not spend your day on personal calls, texting or posting to social media

When you’re at work, phone calls should be work related. At most offices, it’s acceptable to have some personal interactions on the phone, but if your friend/child/mother calls you five times a day, it’s up to you to table those calls to after hours. The same goes for texting and updating personal social media sites.

8. Don’t be the first one to leave

Everyone will judge your work ethic based on when you run for the exit. Do not close up shop at the earliest opportunity if you want to make a good impression. “Face time” is more important at some companies than others, but if you work in an office, make sure you’re doing everything you can to help out and to be available to help others before you bolt for the door.

More from Miriam Salpeter
9 reasons you’re not getting hired
How to break out of your job search rut
Four steps to finding the perfect job

Originally appeared on AOLJobs.com.

The post What NOT to do to make a good impression at work appeared first on Keppie Careers.