So you’ve finally made it to the “real world” and landed your first job. Congratulations! Before you dive into the working world, there are a few common pitfalls¹ you should try to avoid. Click through to learn about the seven biggest career mistakes young professionals tend to make.

1. Being Afraid to Speak Up

Whether it’s asking for a raise, time off, or just voicing an opinion, it’s important to stand up for yourself in the office. The more confidence you exude², the more others will have in you, and as long as you do it in a respectful and professional way, your colleagues will be more impressed than put-off by your assertiveness³. Make sure to know your worth and not let your age or inexperience dictate⁴ how others treat you.

2. Goofing⁵ Off

You may think no one is looking or particularly cares about what you're doing all day, but if you're like most young professionals, you sit in a cube with your computer screen visible to all who pass by. So it's important to limit the amount of time you spend on Facebook, personal email and other non-work-related sites. Even though your boss may seem relaxed, he's not going to appreciate an employee who seems to care more about her friend's status updates than her actual work.

3. Dressing⁶ Inappropriately

Sometimes, it can be difficult to be taken seriously as a young professional. One thing that can either help or hurt you is how you present yourself. If you dress too provocatively⁷, young or casual, you could be sending the wrong message to your coworkers. Just because you have it, doesn’t mean the office is the place to wear it. If you want to be taken seriously, dress seriously.

4. Not Networking

Yes, working hard and being seen as a dedicated⁸ employee is vital to your professional success, but professional relationships are just as important when it comes to getting your next job or promotion⁹. Many young people are afraid to network and appear aggressive, but it is an established part of the working world. A good way to start is by asking your superiors whom you look up to for career guidance.

5. Gossiping in the Office

While networking is the right way to build relationships, gossiping is not. Commiserating¹⁰ with coworkers over shared office gripes can be a great way to bond, but it’s a dangerous habit to get into and can cause friction¹¹ with other colleagues. If others come to you with gossip or complaints, refrain from joining in and stay neutral. In the long run, it will serve you better to not make enemies at work.

6. Being Late for Work

Appearance is everything. You could be the hardest worker in the office or do extra work from home, but if you are consistently late to work, you give off the impression that you’re a slacker. People notice who stays late and who comes in early and will form an opinion about you, whether it’s accurate or not. Your professional reputation is a vital part of getting ahead in your industry and being late to work sounds trivial, but it can gradually undermine all your hard work

7. Acting¹² Entitled

Acting too confident is a common issue with young professionals. It is sometimes hard for recent college graduates to transition from top-of-the-food-chain seniors to professional “freshmen¹³.” Now that you’re out of the collegiate bubble, you must remember to be humble¹⁴ and know your place in the company. Just because you might have graduated cum laude, doesn’t mean you’re too good to make photocopies¹⁵, and that attitude will hurt your chances of being promoted.