Four Workplace Mistakes You Can Stop Making Today

Are you making workplace errors that hurt your efforts at career success? If you don’t perform up-to-par at work, you could find yourself losing out on promotional opportunities … or worst case scenario, your job may be on thin ice.

You don’t want correctable errors to adversely affect your professional prospects, so be sure you aren’t making these common errors:

• Being late to work. Showing up late demonstrates your job is not a top priority. Depending upon your job, it could also leave others waiting for you to get their own work started. Be sure you are on time by leaving your home a little earlier than you anticipate needing to leave so you aren’t tardy due to traffic or unexpected delays. You may want to set your alarm clock and the clock in your car so they are a little fast.
• Refusing opportunities to learn. If you don’t take every opportunity to learn new skills, you’ll come across as disinterested to your employer. You’ll also deprive yourself of the chance to learn things that could help you land promotions or look great on a resume.  While you may have to push yourself to step out of your comfort zone, never say no to a chance to learn.
• Not working well with co-workers. Companies want staff members who are good team players. If you cannot work well with your co-workers, this could hurt your chances for advancement. To help you collaborate more effectively, try to embrace diversity of viewpoints and really listen to your peers. Look for things to praise and find the positives in suggestions that your co-workers make, rather than focusing on the negative.
• Failing to take ownership of tasks. If you are always trying to shift responsibility to others, you are not going to be able to control your own career destiny. When you are assigned a project, even if you work with others on it, take on the responsibility of ensuring it is done right.  Follow up on tasks you are assigned, make requests for additional resources if you need help and hold yourself accountable for any mistakes.

Another workplace mistake: staying at a job you don’t love. If you are frustrated with your work, it may be time to explore other opportunities. SmartTalent can help you to land a job with a company you’d be excited to work for in Kirkland, Fife, Renton, Lacey, Lynnwood, Everett and surrounding areas. To find out how we can help you to find work, give us a call today.