8 Dangerous Career Mistakes You Must Avoid at all Costs

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Naresh Kumar, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

This article is about 8 common career mistake that people make in their work life which can cost them heavily.

Career forms the most important part of our lives nowadays. Today we spend more time at work that with our families. The time gap is increasing due to technology, higher work pressure, more demands, facilities like Work From Home and travel.

Earlier we used to say that our families are first and career second. Scenario is changing now (not for good in my view) where people are spending more time in office work. They bring office work to home in the form of laptop.

Do you work from home after office hours when you should be enjoying with your partner? Do you attend late night meetings when you should be playing with your children? Do you work late night after your family is asleep??

There is huge chunk of our lives goes in managing our career. Hence it has to be given due consideration.

Your career won’t manage itself. Even if you’re a superstar at work, it’s possible to make mistakes that harm, or even end, your career.

You spend a lot of time at work. It would be a shame to undo all of your effort by making an easily avoidable mistake.

Below we provide you a list of possible mistakes that can derail your career. This is a short list however. You need to be more careful with your career nowadays, given the uncertain time. Uncertain times bring more politics in picture. You will always have more than one person watching you and waiting for you to make a wrong move.

On the other hand you need to be assertive about your career and take full responsibility to take it further.

Avoid these mistakes that harm your career:

1. Undervaluing your worth. Avoid being afraid to ask for a raise or a promotion if you deserve it. Few companies will give you more than you demand. If you’re content to stay in the same place and make the same salary, they’re happy to accommodate you.

Be assertive, but stop short of being a nuisance.

You can always look for another position if you’re being undervalued.

2. Failing to toot your own horn. If you’re doing good work, ensure the word gets out. Take advantage of LinkedIn and keep your activities updated. Do your peers know what you’re up to? Let everyone know how great you are.

Take on projects that showcase your strengths. Be willing to be seen. Others will notice, and your reputation will grow.

Avoid bragging, but avoid being bashful.

3. Talking about others is generally a mistake. Whether it’s social or professional, avoid speaking about other people unless you have something positive to say. Everyone has been negatively impacted by oversharing at some point. Discuss ideas, yourself, and the other person taking part in the conversation.

4. Failing to make your boss look good. At the end of the day, you’re there to serve your boss. If you’re making her look good, your job is secure. If you’re not, you’re not doing your job properly.

5. Being too negative. There’s no place at work for anyone that complains or criticizes. Maintain high standards and be supportive of your workplace. If you can’t think of anything positive to say, it might be time to find new employment.
It’s also a good policy to stay away from negative people. You might be penalized for associating with them.

6. Searching for another job on company time. Your company is likely to check your internet log from time to time. If you’re spending time each day on Monster.com, you might find your employment ending. Search for a new career on your own time.

7. Publicly searching for a new job. What you do on your own time is your own business, but you don’t want your employer to know that you’re seeking greener pastures. Keep a lid on your social media messages. It’s not necessary, or smart, for the entire world to know that you’d like to work for someone else.

8. Underdressing. Look around your office building. The people with the more prestigious jobs are better dressed than the rest. A good rule of thumb is to dress as well as your boss. Avoid dressing like your peers.
People will begin to associate you with the more powerful people in your workplace. When a new job opportunity becomes available within the company, you’ll have a better chance of success.
A career can be ruined very quickly. Avoid making the mistakes that can derail your career. Remain professional and value your worth. If you’re thinking about another career, keep your search to yourself. You can share after you’ve secured a new position. Avoid being complacent in your career. Be proactive and see your career blossom instead of fade.