Here are my top career mistakes as a first generation professional – I still cringe at number 3! …
1. Thinking I will get promoted if I get really good at my job – promotion involves time dedicated things beyond your day-job. This includes networking, job applications and practise, being visible, having a sponsor, having a strong personal brand etc.
2. Only applying to advertised roles – I’ve seen people have roles specifically created for them or network into a role before it is advertised.
If you’re ready for your next role, you should be networking to find the lead and also thinking about what role your ideal role is an looking to pitch for it if it doesn’t exist.
3. Taking ‘lets get a coffee’ literally 😆 My caffeine intake at the start of my career was a joke, imagine already being on your 3rd cup and someone says ‘let’s get a coffee’.
What people really mean is lets network, catch-up and discuss opportunities – even if that’s over a herbal tea.
4. Not understanding what leadership really is – I thought it meant being captain of the football team or having the leadership title.
It’s actually the traits, skills and behaviours you demonstrate – and how you adapt these to different situations. This means everyone demonstrates leadership everyday and it is something you develop, not something you’re born with.
5. Thinking professional development is something you do for work – as soon as I put that misconception in the bin, I started to develop my skills to become an effective person in life more generally. This has helped me to work towards stretching goals inside and outside of work.
6. Underestimating my influence – I used to think being junior meant having no influence. Then I saw young people with greater influence than seasoned professionals, because they were delivering real value and not getting caught up in grade hierarchies and titles.
I started thinking about what outcomes I wanted to achieve and how I can get there, rather than whether I’m senior enough to achieve it.
7. Letting people make assumptions about me – I used to wonder why people talked so much about their achievements, then I realised they were just trying to present a picture of themselves as high achievers, part of the in-group, talented etc.
And I don’t blame them – the worst thing you can do is let people assume you lack ambition and don’t have the potential to progress in your career. Keep blowing your 🎺
What is your no1 career mistake?
Let’s have a laugh in the comments…
