The moment you leave the school and enter the workforce like interview master guide jeff and mike pdf, it’s likely that you’ll face some doubts about your decision. These mistakes are worth considering before turning your back on what may be a lifelong career. Consider these points carefully before making major decisions, because they can have lasting impact on your career and life.
1. The ‘perfect job’ doesn’t exist
No job is perfect. When you’re thinking about career choices, remember this point. No such thing as the ‘perfect job’.
2. Not planning for flexible work schedules
In today’s world, everyone works in different ways and at different times. Some places are only open one day per week, some open every day of the week, some even open for only a few hours on certain days… consider this when choosing a career.
3. Hiring someone who is more experienced than yourself
The name of the game here is experience – it can mean earning power, knowledge and your skills percolating through your team and company. However, at the end of the day, you’re looking for a job with an individual (or perhaps a team) and not the company.
4. Not asking for a raise
It may be time to ask for a raise if:
a) Your salary is lower than others who do similar jobs in different companies.
b) You’ve been with your employer for more than six months and have had a performance review. You should expect a raise at that point, provided you’re doing well.
c) Your pay hasn’t gone up since you were hired.
5. Not developing your network
While you may need to rely on your skills and experience to get hired, you WILL need the ability to link with others and network when you’re in your new job. Consider this while considering potential career paths.
6. Not having a Plan B
You will fail at something at some point, but how quickly that moment comes can be determined by a number of things, including timing as well as one’s own skills and knowledge base. You should always have a Plan B ready – just in case things go horribly wrong.
7. Not connecting to your work
As a beginner, you should always connect with your colleagues at work – it doesn’t matter where you are in the company. For some, this may not be possible because of the nature of their job descriptions. In these cases, you should prioritize networking within your team or organization if that’s possible.
8. Not asking for training
Ask for training when it comes time and appropriate – it can make all the difference to your career and potential earning power in the long term. Also know that job-specific training can make all the difference too!
9. Not taking a flexible career path
Career paths and fads come and go, so you need to be prepared for that. Look at all of your options, but then make decisions based on what’s best for you – regardless of any job market trends.
10. Not preparing in advance
Career planning never ends. You need to be thinking about it regularly, even if your job (or career) is humming along nicely. Consider this as you plan for the future – the skills that are current may not always be sought after next year or the state of your career may change completely on a whim!
11. Being blind to one’s own strengths
How many times have you been told ‘you’re good at so-and-so’ but it’s not until you’re asked to show something that this comes out? Listen to what others say, it can be exceptionally helpful.
12. Not asking for a better title or location
What you’ve started with may not last forever or the job market may suddenly change – consider these possibilities as you plan your career path.
13. Being too close to your own skills and knowledge base
While there’s nothing wrong with keeping one’s knowledge in-house, make sure that the skills that you’re bringing to a job are up to date.
14. Not securing a mentor
Mentors are invaluable. Not having one in your career path can derail it – consider this for when you decide on a job or career path.
15. Not seeking out information
Some of the best information comes from reading and networking with people who are ahead of you in their careers – someone who already has the job that you want might offer advice based on their own experiences.
Summary:
When you’re making big career decisions, these points need to be taken into account. There’s no such thing as a perfect job, career or employer. These are valuable points to focus on.
Gemma Cousins has been an HR Specialist since 2000 and is the founder of Career Peer Support, an award-winning HR consultancy service that provides career guidance and support to people transitioning into self-employment. If you’ve made all the mistakes listed above, then it might be in your best interests to rethink your current career path. If you’d like to get some more information on this topic, give this article a read.
