Landing a really good, high-paying position may represent a difficult proposition in a competitive, post-recession job market. When you do find your dream job, avoid making a career-killing mistake that could leave you starting all over again.
Keep your job security intact by maintaining discipline, avoiding complacency and keeping an eye out for any errors in judgment that could terminate your employment. Watch out for these six faux pas that could lead to a career-killing mistake.
1. Lying
Do not, at all costs, lie on your resume or during the interview. Eventually, someone catches you when he talks to a former boss, meets one of your college classmates or contacts an old employer. Some jobs can show up on your credit report since you often need a Social Security number to work in the United States or may use a bank account to receive direct deposits. This career-killing mistake could cost you future employment in addition to your current job.
Once your current employer discovers you lying, your manager is likely to see you as a liability rather than an asset. If you lie about your past employment, how does your boss know you're telling the truth about that sales report you submitted two days ago? Honesty in the workplace upholds integrity, establishes trust and increases productivity knowing that your manager does not have to micromanage your daily tasks. Honesty leads to job security when everyone on the team knows they can count on you.
2. Sleep Deprivation
Failing to get enough sleep may lead to costly mistakes such as putting a couple of extra zeros at the end of an accounting ledger, getting into an accident or simply becoming too irritable around others. Just get an extra hour or two of sleep to prevent this career-killing mistake that may even harm others in addition to yourself.
3. Laziness
Avoid laziness with an attitude adjustment. If you don't want to fulfill your basic job duties, someone else with more initiative and more motivation would be happy to step into your position. Show some self-starting motivation, and look for opportunities to show your skills.
4. Going It Alone
Managers love team players over rogue agents. Eschew the notion that everything revolves around your world at the office, and at least act like you want to be around your co-workers. Otherwise, this career-killing mistake may find you out the door and on your own.
5. Theft
Similar to lying, stealing can get you fired very quickly. Even if you just take a pack of pencils, when an annual audit turns up unaccounted-for items, those stolen items might easily be traced back to you.
6. Lack of Skills
Your skill set at the job interview five years ago was great. However, times and technology change. If you don't keep your skills up to date, someone else with the necessary skills may take your place. By not improving your skills as your job evolves, you show your employer just how complacent and settled you have become.
A career-killing mistake doesn't have to mean the end of your livelihood. Consider freelancing or trying a new direction if you found your previous line of work too distressing. Otherwise, keep a sharp look out for your own career to achieve success.
Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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