10 Common Career Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Navigating the professional world can be a minefield of potential missteps. This article delves into common career mistakes that can derail even the most promising trajectories. Drawing on insights from industry experts, it offers practical strategies to sidestep these pitfalls and propel your career forward.
- Prioritize Alignment Over Money and Optics
- Define Your Career Path Before Applying
- Build a Reputation Stronger Than Price
- Develop Skills Before Chasing Credentials
- Establish Boundaries to Prevent Burnout
- Advocate for Yourself in the Workplace
- Leverage Current Roles for Future Growth
- Craft a Narrative Connecting Diverse Experiences
- Broaden Expertise Across Multiple Domains
- Foster Long-Term Relationships Over Quick Gains
Prioritize Alignment Over Money and Optics
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute. Here's my perspective for your piece on common career mistakes:
One of the biggest mistakes I see (and one I've made myself) is letting money and "success optics" dictate the work instead of alignment.
Earlier in my career, I took on clients who didn't fit me or my method. On paper, it looked great: more revenue, more projects. In reality, the resonance wasn't there. The transformation stalled, the energy drained, and eventually I had to fire those clients.
It taught me this: if the work doesn't fit at the gut level, it won't work at the strategic level either. Success built on "more" is fragile. Success built on alignment is sustainable.
Now, I help founders see the same truth: stop contorting yourself to fit demand. Build your brand from clarity first, and let the right-fit opportunities find you.
Define Your Career Path Before Applying
One common mistake I see is job seekers applying to dozens of roles without first getting clear on what they actually want. They chase job titles, scroll endlessly, and send out resumes hoping something sticks. But without clarity, they either burn out or end up in another misaligned role.
I help clients slow down before they speed up. We identify their values, strengths, and non-negotiables first. Then we build a strategy around aligned roles, not just available ones. Instead of saying "I'll take anything," they start saying, "This is the kind of work I'm built for." That shift leads to better applications, stronger interviews, and careers they actually enjoy.
Build a Reputation Stronger Than Price
I don't consider "career mistakes" for clients in a corporate context. However, the one common business mistake I observe repeatedly, especially among younger contractors, is prioritizing quick payment over work quality. This mistake can damage your reputation faster than anything else.
The issue is that many individuals rush their work. They cut corners on details that homeowners can't see, such as proper flashing or underlayment, just to get paid quickly. I advise new workers: "You might make a quick $500 on a sloppy job, but when that roof leaks, it could cost you $5,000 to fix and tarnish your reputation in this community."
The alternative approach I recommend is straightforward: build a reputation that's stronger than your price. I tell them the real job isn't just installing the shingles. The real job is the quality that remains unseen. That's what you build your reputation on. It's the only way to sustain a career in this industry for more than a few years.
The most important lesson is that in any career, your word is your long-term asset. My advice is to stop pursuing quick payments. The better way to progress is to slow down, do the work correctly the first time, and establish a strong reputation for yourself. Your reputation is the only thing that truly matters, and it's the only path to success.
Develop Skills Before Chasing Credentials
The most common career mistake I see is professionals chasing titles or perks without building the systems, skills, and positioning that make their careers sustainable. It's a short-term win that often leads to long-term frustration because the foundation isn't there. The alternative I recommend is simple but powerful: build capacity before chasing credentials, because when you invest in transferable skills, opportunities stop being accidental and start being intentional.
Dr. Thomas W. Faulkner, SPHR, LSSBB
Establish Boundaries to Prevent Burnout
One common career mistake I consistently observe is professionals overperforming to prove their worth. They take on excessive workloads, ignore signs of exhaustion, and hope this constant hustle will eventually lead to recognition and advancement. Unfortunately, this approach typically results in burnout and missed opportunities, as they're operating from a place of survival rather than clarity and presence.
When working with clients facing this issue, I focus on teaching them how to regulate their nervous system, helping them work from a place of steadiness instead of constant urgency. This foundational shift changes everything.
The alternative approach I recommend is straightforward but powerful: establish clear boundaries that protect your energy, ensure your work aligns with your core values, and allow your performance to flow naturally from a place of capacity rather than external pressure. This sustainable method not only produces better results but preserves well-being and creates space for genuine career growth.
Advocate for Yourself in the Workplace
A common career mistake I often see is not advocating for oneself through the following mechanisms:
1. Asking for a raise or promotion
2. Negotiating a starting salary
3. "Pushing back" on tasks that don't align with one's strengths or interests
4. Not communicating effectively when a workload becomes overwhelming
These examples all fall under self-advocacy and can make a HUGE difference in the workplace. I recommend documenting your accomplishments to build a business case for why you deserve specific outcomes related to income and promotions.
Regarding workplace responsibilities, I'd suggest initiating the development of a strong rapport with your manager. This will help you feel more comfortable having conversations centered around workload, priorities, and ensuring that your work corresponds to tasks you enjoy.
Leverage Current Roles for Future Growth
One common career mistake I see is people waiting too long for the 'perfect' opportunity instead of building momentum with the opportunities in front of them. This often leads to missed chances and stalled growth. I help clients avoid this by encouraging them to treat every role as a stepping stone—focus on the skills, relationships, and experience you can gain now that will open bigger doors later. The alternative approach I recommend is progress over perfection: take the role that moves you forward, then be intentional about leveraging it for your long-term career goals.
Craft a Narrative Connecting Diverse Experiences
With the economic chaos, Millennials and Generation Z are taking any job they can, piecing together resumes like antique quilts. This may appear unfavorable at first glance, but the potential damage can be mitigated by crafting a narrative that connects all of one's life choices. Even if the fields are not related, identify a common theme and demonstrate that you were proactive in your career—not just passive and desperate. Reading resumes is tedious (trust me, I know), and there's value in applicants who write for human eyes, not just to pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Broaden Expertise Across Multiple Domains
A common career mistake I observe is professionals remaining in a single role or domain for too long, which significantly limits their growth and skill development. I advise clients to periodically assess their career trajectory and actively seek opportunities that broaden their expertise across different areas. This approach helps them develop into "T-shaped" professionals with both depth in their primary field and breadth across related domains. Building this diverse skill set not only makes them more valuable to employers but also opens doors to opportunities they might never have considered otherwise.
Foster Long-Term Relationships Over Quick Gains
A common mistake in business development is prioritizing short-term gains over building long-term relationships, which can harm credibility and trust. To avoid this, individuals should foster genuine relationships and focus on mutual value instead of merely transactional interactions. For instance, while Company A employed aggressive sales tactics for quick closures, a more relationship-focused approach would encourage ongoing collaboration and communication, benefiting all parties involved.
