Candidate Resource Center

Helpful information and advice for working with us.

Find Your Resources Here

Get Ahead: Career Mistakes Even Smart People Make

We all occasionally miscalculate and regret decisions, but some mistakes are largely preventable (especially when it comes to career management). With these practical tips, you'll easily sidestep career pitfalls and landmines -- and keep your career growth on track.

They Skate on Past Success

When people are riding high on a string of successes, they can become overly confident. When you're in the proverbial "zone," it's easy to assume you'll always knock every project out of the ballpark. However, overconfidence can often lead to trouble. People can pay less attention to detail or they simply don't try as hard because they think they can ride past successes into the future.

Every day, in every way, you must put your best foot forward and never assume that a project, task or skill will simply come easily to you. As soon as you become complacent, you put yourself at risk of failure.

They Avoid Differing Opinions

As you move through your career, you'll find yourself drawn to people who hold your same philosophies and attitudes. This is a natural tendency, but taking it too far is an easy trap to fall into. This is also a dangerous trap, because when you surround yourself with people just like you and people who never tell you when you're wrong, you become less open to other opinions and you can even become resistant to feedback.

There is value in keeping people with differing opinions and approaches close by. There is also value in keeping a "devil's advocate" in your inner circle. These people keep you on your toes and help you see problems and issues from all sides.

They Stay at a Bad Job Too Long

This is a mistake younger people tend to make, but lots of successful people have stayed too long at a bad job. "Bad" jobs come in all shapes and sizes. You might work for a horrible boss, the job might not be challenging, you might be overworked and underpaid -- if you know you're in a bad situation, don't waste time taking steps to get out of it.

There are better jobs out there, and if you truly want to continue to advance your career, there is little value in making yourself miserable. The sooner you get out, the sooner you can get back in touch with the things you love about what you do.

They Move Out of Their Area of Expertise

Do you remember when Colgate went into the frozen lasagna business?1 Probably not, because it was an epic failure. As some people rise to the top of their fields, they think they can tackle something completely outside their wheelhouse, and this -- like Colgate lasagna -- often ends badly.

People possess specific skills, knowledge and expertise, and those factors are what help them become experts in their fields. Jumping into something new during your prime can be exciting, but it is important to look before you leap, consider all potential consequences, and decide if you really want to abandon your bread and butter for something completely different.


1 http://www.foodandwine.com/news/colgates-lasagna-and-coca-cola-blak-be-featured-museum-failures

They Stop Being Nice

When you're moving up the ladder, you are very much aware you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You know it is important to treat everyone with respect, be polite, ask rather than tell and generally be a nice person at work. However, as you gain more success, it can be easy to forget to be nice to people.

Becoming less nice doesn't just make you a jerk. It makes you foolish. Every career experiences highs and lows, and you never know who you may need to reach out to for help. Whether it's the CEO or the cleaning crew, remember to treat everyone with respect and kindness. As the old saying goes, "Be nice to everyone on your way to the top, because you'll see them again on your way back down."

They Chase Status

As people move up and earn more money and respect from their peers, they can often fall into the trap of chasing status. When you become too focused on your lifestyle, you can easily lose focus on your career. If you're always worried about buying new "toys" or vacationing in the right spots, you probably aren't spending enough time growing and developing yourself as a professional.

It is perfectly acceptable to enjoy an elevated status. Working hard does have its benefits. Just don't get so obsessed with status and personal goals that you neglect your career and professional goals.

Everyone Makes Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes throughout their career, but as you move through yours, remember missteps like these are preventable. If you do make a miscalculation, don't beat yourself up. Simply assess where you are and develop a strategy to get your career back on track.