The Worst Job Mistakes
Many people sabotage their own careers through destructive habits and behaviors. Then they wonder why they are passed over for promotion or let go. Are you guilty of any of these career-sabotaging mistakes?
1. You're invisible. People need to know who you are and what you do. Don't isolate yourself and figure that everyone will know you are doing a good job. Networking and visibility are two very important elements in getting promoted. Join and take a leadership role in professional organizations and learn to speak well in front of groups. Contribute and get noticed at department meetings and volunteer for some committees or teams.
2. You have bad work habits. If you are chronically late or absent and stretch your lunch hours and breaks to the maximum, you will be considered unprofessional. And that will hurt your career. If you earn a reputation for inaccuracy, no follow through or never helping out in a pinch, you will never be given the best rating in your appraisals.
3. You resist change. The workplace of today is all about being flexible and adapting to change. Are you the one saying, "It will never work," or "Why can't we do it the way we have always done it?" If so, you're in trouble. Even if you think that way, don't say it out loud or you will get a reputation for not supporting change.
4. You don't constantly upgrade your skills. Do you resist attending company training classes? Or you go when you are made to, but make every effort to not learn anything to "show them." In order to stay promotable and even employable these days, you must be constantly upgrading your skills. If your organization doesn't offer some in-house training, get some yourself.
5. You don't ever ask for feedback on how you are doing. Is the only time you find out how well you are doing your job is at performance appraisal time? If so, I guarantee that you are doing some things that you boss doesn't like and that will hold you back in your career. Try asking the question, "If you could change one thing about how I do my job, what would it be?" to get the feedback you need to be constantly improving in your job.
1. You're invisible. People need to know who you are and what you do. Don't isolate yourself and figure that everyone will know you are doing a good job. Networking and visibility are two very important elements in getting promoted. Join and take a leadership role in professional organizations and learn to speak well in front of groups. Contribute and get noticed at department meetings and volunteer for some committees or teams.
2. You have bad work habits. If you are chronically late or absent and stretch your lunch hours and breaks to the maximum, you will be considered unprofessional. And that will hurt your career. If you earn a reputation for inaccuracy, no follow through or never helping out in a pinch, you will never be given the best rating in your appraisals.
3. You resist change. The workplace of today is all about being flexible and adapting to change. Are you the one saying, "It will never work," or "Why can't we do it the way we have always done it?" If so, you're in trouble. Even if you think that way, don't say it out loud or you will get a reputation for not supporting change.
4. You don't constantly upgrade your skills. Do you resist attending company training classes? Or you go when you are made to, but make every effort to not learn anything to "show them." In order to stay promotable and even employable these days, you must be constantly upgrading your skills. If your organization doesn't offer some in-house training, get some yourself.
5. You don't ever ask for feedback on how you are doing. Is the only time you find out how well you are doing your job is at performance appraisal time? If so, I guarantee that you are doing some things that you boss doesn't like and that will hold you back in your career. Try asking the question, "If you could change one thing about how I do my job, what would it be?" to get the feedback you need to be constantly improving in your job.
Views: 0
Comment
Blog RSS Feed
Hiring Hints E-Newsletter
Find Us On Facebook
© 2012 Created by Brent E Kleiman.
You need to be a member of Kleiman HR Exchange to add comments!
Join Kleiman HR Exchange