Typically, advice given at this time of the year tends to focus on the New Year’s resolutions you can make to send your career in the right direction in 2020. However, there’s no point thinking about the new professional behaviours you want to embrace if you’re still stuck making the same old career mistakes.
Rather than focusing on new behaviours, we think you’re best served by understanding the career mistakes that you should leave behind in 2019. Whether you want to grow in your current position or find an exciting new role, these are the mistakes to leave firmly in 2019!
1. Not asking for more money
Salary negotiation is one of the most uncomfortable parts of being promoted, taking on more responsibility or getting a new job. However, it’s much more uncomfortable to be left on a salary that you don’t think is fair. According to a recent survey, only 38 percent of men and 27 percent of women negotiate their salary, but 83 percent of those who ask for more money receive higher pay.
The underlying lesson here is that it’s soon to be 2020, and it’s fine to talk about money. The process might feel awkward, but as long as you take the time to prepare and build your case, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The worst-case scenario is that your boss will say no, in which case, you can either look elsewhere or stay put, safe in the knowledge that you tried.
2. Getting too comfortable
It’s very easy to get too comfortable in a job and spend your time focusing on evenings out and weekends away. However, before you know it, five years will have passed and you won’t be where you want to be. Instead, it’s important to regularly check in with yourself by asking a few important questions:
- Where do I want to be in five years?
- How is this job helping me get there?
- Does this job challenge me?
- Am I learning new skills?
- Am I feeling engaged?
If your current job isn’t helping you move forward, then it’s time to start thinking about your next step.
3. Not reaching out to mentors
Mentors can be incredibly valuable for individuals who want to move forward in their career, but the thought of reaching out to someone is nerve-wracking. We’re all scared of rejection, and the thought of being ignored by someone you respect will make you feel like you’re back at the high school disco. However, there are several simple steps you can take to set yourself up for success:
- Have between three and five prospective mentors in mind to increase your chances of connecting with someone who’s interested.
- Be specific about the mentoring you need. What would you like help with? How often do you envisage meeting up?
- Don’t take rejection personally. In many cases, people are simply too busy to make a long-term commitment.
4. Saying no to new projects
Rather than putting yourself forward for new projects that aren’t necessarily the perfect fit for your existing skills, it’s much easier to stay within your comfort zone. However, taking the easy option is not the way to progress. Be willing to put yourself out there and learn new skills. In the long run, you never know where that positive new approach could take you.
Are you fed up of making the same old career mistakes?
Then contact Linguistica Recruitment today. We offer a range of bilingual positions across the south coast of England for talented linguistics who are looking for a new challenge. Read more about how we can help and submit your CV today.