It is natural to make mistakes in life. In support of this, many self-help books say these mistakes can be great opportunities to bounce back and get on the right track. However, certain errors can become self-limiting, especially in your professional life. An example is self-sabotage which 70% of professionals experience. These insights will hopefully get you on the path to career success.
1. Underestimating the power of networking
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How often do you actively partake in networking activities? Do you find yourself constantly behind the desk without much thought to these industry-focused meetings? It is good to work hard, but the secret to career success is smart work – that’s where networking comes in. Why is networking regarded as smart work? It is due to its significant impact on your career. It takes a few minutes of professional interaction to gain deeper insight into a new perspective contributing to your work. Unfortunately, many employees admit to underestimating networking and only see it as a ‘meet and drink’ session with other professionals. It’s also not a place solely for business card exchanges. Knowing that networking means everything to a successful career will be in your interest if you belong to this group. Even with industry-specific skills, you need a robust network to grow and increase your relevance. These meetings are excellent opportunities to form authentic connections. Others in your field have been at it for years, so you can benefit from invaluable advice. Moreover, remember to network online and offline because it is a digital age.
2. Fear of standing out
You may wonder how fear of standing out can limit your career. However, it can significantly impact your career growth. For instance, do you agree with every workplace decision, even when you have reservations? Do you go with the majority because, from your perspective, it’s the only way to blend in at the workplace? This fear limits creativity, leadership quality, and other hidden potentials relevant to your career.
Moreover, these are elements employers want to see in working professionals. There is great potential to be discovered when you leave your comfort zone as a working professional. You may be unpopular for your dissenting views, but the truth is that it only lasts for a short while. Before you know it, people will see the validity of your healthy disagreements and respect your views. However, the fear of standing out can shut the door to what could have been a successful career progression.
3. Failing to stay updated with your training
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The job market is changing, and so are workplace demands. Technology continues to greatly impact work and accounts for new ways of doing things. In the healthcare industry, it is erroneous to think the training you received is the same as two decades ago. Sticking to this erroneous belief can be detrimental to your career. Remember that healthcare is people-centred; as expected, individual needs change. Growing market demands therefore make it imperative to keep up with the changing times through more training in global health.
Failing to keep up with the terrain means you risk having your career going down south. Unfortunately, some professionals learned this the hard way, but you can stop this from happening to you. Read more on your field or take up online courses if you cannot make the time to enrol in a traditional school. Remember to stay in touch with colleagues who have advanced their careers in your field. The tip is to show an active interest in staying updated and not relenting on your oars to be an improved professional in your chosen career. Don’t resist change because it can be a highway to sabotaging your career.
4. Excessive reliance on financial perks
Money is a good thing, and as a career-oriented person, it is a motivating tool to keep working. The problem, however, is over-focusing on the monetary aspect of your career. Sometimes, the rich experience gained in your job role counts more than any other thing. It becomes the foundation blocks relevant to career advancement and future success as a professional. Experience in your career means you have taken the time to study the nuances of your field and become a credible authority in that space. People are willing to listen to professionals with years of desirable experience, and that can be you. Rich experience cannot be quantified, although it’s often associated with years. Another truth you may not give much credit to is the timing of handsome financial rewards. Monetary compensation is often lucrative after gaining relevant experience in your career. With this in mind, remember to avoid sabotaging your career so early in life by expecting monetary perks you aren’t yet due for. That’s not to say you should accept a pittance for your excellent performance. It’s why you must research the average salary for your role at every stage in your professional life. What you get paid as a fresh graduate will differ from a professional with ten years of experience.
5. Failing to recognize your strengths and talents
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Have you ever sold yourself short at a promotion interview? It sounds unthinkable that anyone would shoot themselves in the foot at such a crucial time in their professional lives. However, it happens more often than you may be willing to admit. A promotion interview is a perfect time to give an account of your achievements within the company. You must draw on your strengths to convince the interviewing panel that you know what you’re about. How have your unique talents contributed to your current role? It would help if you had something credible and substantial to show. Unfortunately, some people limited their career progression by failing abysmally at these promotion interviews. That often happens when you fail to recognize or communicate how your strengths and talents contributed to your role. Promotion interview questions can be tricky, but there’s more. You must confidently discuss the elements that propelled you to this promotion interview. Although failing a promotion interview doesn’t end your career, you may miss a critical stage when it matters most.
Learn more about your field and take the required measures to be relevant in your chosen career.
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