Years ago, at an on-campus interview, questioning librarians asked me if I realized there was a typo in my resume. Decades before spell check and Grammarly, it was easy and common to see typos of various sorts in all types of documents. My mistake of only one letter created a very different meaning to the word than what I originally intended. We all laughed it off and went on to a very good dinner and what I thought was an excellent interview despite my typo and the fact that I was also dealing with a very nasty summer cold. I did not get the job. Nor was I offered another position with the same library years later. Now, there were likely only one or two people left from the first time I interviewed, but I often wonder if my faux pas was the reason I was not hired not once, but twice. Recently, there was another position open at the library. I did not apply for a number of reasons. Of course, some people would say a third time is a charm. I also thought three strikes and you’re out.
A professional faux pas is something we all will likely encounter along the way of our career paths. I am not sure if they are actually as life-changing as we think they are in our minds and at the time they happen. A faux pas is a significant or embarrassing error or mistake Given our slow and difficult climb out of the Covid pandemic and an array of social awareness changes in the world, it should be understood that faux pas are likely to occur to everyone. The opportunity derived from such an action lets us develop as professionals. How else are you going to learn when something happens and it was not exactly like what you read in textbooks? In your professional life, you need to accept mistakes with grace and confidence. Every situation brings with it a learning experience. We grow, we evolve, and we learn. Here are some basic things you can do once there has been a faux pas in your work life.
- Apologize where appropriate. A simple “My apologies” or “Excuse me” can go a long way in making things right. While some may say that an apology isn’t necessary or doesn’t erase an event, it does serve a purpose for the person expressing it. Making it heartfelt is important and doing so, makes dealing with the faux pas more palatable.
- Learn from your mistake. If it is life-changing in some way, that likely means there are things beyond your control. Move on with the knowledge that you won’t make the same mistake twice. A mistake is simply that but it can change the way you do something in a positive way making you a better person and ultimately a more experienced librarian. If you have missed an important deadline, consider using a calendaring system in a more efficient manner. Color code items or mark certain work deadlines so that they don’t blend into the day-to-day mess of your schedule.
- Model or coach others in the correct way for something to be done. My typo experience has guided me in the need for strict editing guidelines for many of my professional works. For example, when submitting documentation to the ABA, I would have two additional staff members read to edit AND we would have three of us sit and read the document out loud. Having the library secretary at hand (with editorial experience I might add) created a sense of importance to the editing process. Some might say the process was excessive and given smaller staff, I haven’t operated that way in a few years, but overall, it taught all of us to treat materials submitted to our primary accreditor with respect and importance.
- Move on. Yes, it can be difficult, frustrating, or nearly crippling when something goes wrong in the work environment. However, many therapists will recommend that at some point you will need to move on with your life. Forgiving yourself is often one of the hardest things to do especially if you always create a higher standard for your actions compared to what you expect of others.
The professional faux pas happens to everyone. Many experienced librarians can share with you the one time something didn’t go right. Likely, they have multiple stories to tell of their trials and tribulations along the way to where they are now. Let others’ experiences prepare you for when it happens to you. A typo cannot define your career nor can a long list of other faux pas. The opportunity to overcome what you perceive as a major blunder, if you want to take a more positive approach, helps you ultimately become a better employee, co-worker, and librarian.
Some links to additional tips and examples concerning a faux pas in the workplace:
Soft Skills – Ask a Wharton MBA
Forbes Magazine – How To Recover From A Major Mistake At Work
RIPS Law Librarian Blog 