7 career mistakes you should avoid at all costs

Have you ever gone to an interview unprepared, or over promised to your boss and under-delivered? 

We have drawn together a list of those errors that most of us have made with some suggestions on how to learn from them.

1.   Being unprofessional on social media. 

Thousands of Employees have missed great jobs or lost their existing ones thanks to inappropriate behavior on social media. Whether it is the drunken profile picture, offensive comments or unprofessional language. Use social media instead to improve your personal brand profile.
 

2.     Not understanding your employer’s expectations. 

Have you ever sat back and thought, “What does my boss expect of me” or “what does the company expect of me”? Do you know the company’s values? Have you read its mission statement? If not, you are almost certainly not meeting expectations.

3.     Not being a team player.

Yes, we know you like to work independently. The trouble is that in most workplaces “not being a team player” seems as something negative. Anyone can learn how to be a team player. Here’s how:

·         Get to know your Colleague and respect them

·         Ask yourself “how could I be more flexible” instead of saying “no”

·         Play more of a role in group meetings and planning sessions

·         Look for solutions to problems faced by the team or individuals.

4.     Being unprepared for interviews. 

Every one of us laughs when we remembers being asked at his very first interview at age 23: “Do you know what it is we do?” we did not, but we never made the mistake again. Thanks to the Internet, there is no excuse to be unprepared. Read the company’s website, catch up on news articles and know where to go for the interview.
 

5.     Not managing up. 

The fine art of managing up is about ensuring your boss and the organization look good. If you do not do it, you could be seen as a clock-watcher. You need to go beyond the tasks required to do this. Bring your boss ideas, talk positively about him or her and come with solutions when you have problems. It will help you be noticed.

6.     Over promising and under-delivering. 

 Sure I can complete the stock take by Friday’ or ‘no problems; we can build that capability into our sales system’. However, really, you cannot and you are never going to deliver. When you do not, your boss and or colleagues are annoyed with you. Whilst it is tempting to tell the boss ‘YES I CAN’, it is better to under-promise and exceed expectations. “Employers respect you when you’re realistic. You will become known as someone who delivers.
 

7.     Turning down opportunities because you are not ready. 

Whether it is a project or promotion, do not find excuses not to take on the extra responsibility. Do not be scared. Your boss offered you that project or job because he or she thought you were capable. Step out of your comfort zone and move forward in your career. 

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