Are You Sabotaging Your Career?

You’re good at your job, and you know that, more often than not, you’ve exceeded your manager’s expectations. However, you’ve been waiting for a long time for that promotion, just to discover that the director has named your coworker instead of you. It is a frustrating experience. But instead of letting it get to you, you can use it as an opportunity to reconsider your career choices.

Indeed, a lot of professionals are unknowingly sabotaging their chances of career growth. Despite showing yourself as a team player and a reliable expert, you might be missing out on essential skill sets and behaviors that can boost your chances. Here are the top three mistakes that professionals make that end up pushing their resumes at the bottom of the pile when it comes to approving the next promotion.

You lack digital skills

It’s 2019. Computers are everywhere in the workplace. While you may not plan on becoming the next programmer for your company, you can’t afford to miss out on coding skills any longer. Indeed, developing professional agility in coding can not only help you to expand your career but also gives you direct access to complex toolkits and innovative technology to support your expertise. Indeed, coding is one of the most relevant skills in 2019, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an increase in jobs in the tech sector. More importantly, whether you’re a marketer or an HR manager, it’s fair to say that you probably rely on software solutions as part of your day-to-day activities. Understanding how to make the most of these tools can be a game-changer to grow your career.

You can’t afford to stay late

Nobody expects you to work overtime. Contractually, you are not obliged to stay later than you need to. However, there are situations when you don’t have any other alternative than to stay longer at work to get things ready before a tight deadline. Professionals who leave the office at 5 pm as per usual when the rest of the team stays behind to finish the work are not penalized for their choice. However, it’s fair to say that when it comes to picking the tea member more deserving of a promotion, your manager is likely to choose someone who can go the extra mile. Therefore, it’s important to give yourself the opportunity to make a difference in those one-off projects that require a little extra time. If you’ve got a pet, for instance, have a look for dedicated pet-sitting services such as ISaidSit daycare, to make sure that Fido doesn’t destroy your sofa while you’re stuck at work. Similarly, keep a list of contacts, such as neighbors and friends, you can ask to pick up your kids or pets if you need to tackle a tight deadline in the evening.

You don’t make friends at work

Who needs friends? You’re just paid to work. While you’re right in theory, in practice, building a bond with your coworkers can boost your profile. Indeed, it’s easier to work as a team when you become friends with the people around you. More importantly, it also encourages a healthy work environment.

Your career is precious. But moving it forward doesn’t only depend on your performance. Indeed, businesses prefer to promote team players who make a difference in their environment, either by showing a deep understanding of their tools or by ensuring the office is a place of friendship and trust.