Seven Career Killers
By Erin Burt
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

You worked hard to get the education, the skills and now the job. Don't let these mistakes sabotage your climb up the career ladder.

Lying on your résumé, stealing office supplies or failing to show up for work will surely dampen your career prospects. But young workers need to beware of less-obvious mistakes that can sabotage their careers. Your behavior, attitude and appearance will play important roles in finding success, not only in your first job, but throughout your entire working lifetime.

As someone just starting out in the work world, you probably don't have a reputation yet. Take advantage of this blank slate. "You want to be seen as an up-and-comer, not the stereotypical young slacker," says Marty Nemko, a job coach in Oakland, Cal., and columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Avoiding these seven career killers will help you craft a stellar reputation and keep your career on track.

1. Procrastinating : Remember the first time you put off studying for a test then crammed at the last minute and still got a decent grade? Many of us have been procrastinating since grade school and have done just fine, but that's a habit you've got to break. "There's no grade inflation in the workplace," says Nemko. If you pull together a report or presentation at the last minute, your shoddy preparation is going to show. And if something unexpected happens -- say your computer crashes or a key contact fails to return a call -- the old "dog-ate-my-homework" excuse isn't going to cut it. "Procrastination is an ingrained habit," Nemko says, "but if you don't kick it pretty quick, you're going to find yourself on the corporate slow track."

2. Having a sense of entitlement : Our generation was raised on instant gratification -- we're used to getting what we want, and getting it now. Yet when it comes to our careers, no matter how hard we work, we cannot get five years of experience in one year. Younger employees tend to feel entitled to quick promotions, says Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers and associate professor of marketing at Stetson University in Deland, Fla. Falling into that trap can, instead, hinder a climb up the career ladder. If you carry the attitude that you deserve to be promoted or else, you may find that "or else" is your only option, says Hansen.

Fresh out of school, you're on the bottom rung of the career ladder, which means you're going to have to pay some dues, such as taking on jobs others don't want or working days others want off. But that doesn't mean you should accept your low status forever. Learn more about how to know when it's time to move up -- and how to pull it off.

3. Settling into your job description : You may have your set responsibilities, but you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to shine. Going above and beyond your mundane entry-level tasks can demonstrate your untapped talents and show your boss you're not afraid to take initiative. Settle into your job description for too long and your reputation may be cast as a low-level lackey.

You may have to do a little self-promotion, but try not to come off as a braggart. Nemko's daughter, for example, got her first job working for Hillary Clinton -- but her job description was to answer letters to Socks, the Clintons' pet cat. Soon after starting, she approached her boss and said she was willing to pay her dues, but that she had good research and writing skills. She pointed out that she might be useful on some other task. A few days went by and her boss asked her to research a topic and write a one-page brief for Clinton. She ended up spending a year as a researcher -- that certainly beats handling feline fan mail.

4. Avoiding office politics : When it comes to playing office politics, there is naughty and nice. Naturally, you shouldn't engage in backstabbing and gossiping. But avoiding politics altogether can be deadly for your career. Like it or not, every workplace has an intricate system of power, and you can -- and should -- work it ethically to your best advantage. To get a promotion, avoid downsizing or get a project green-lighted, you need co-worker support. Get that backing by building relationships, asking others for advice, offering your help and showing sincere interest in others, advises Nemko.

It's also crucial to identify your workplace's hidden pockets of power. On paper, a certain person may be in charge, but you need to know who else in the office has influence so you can be sure to impress the right people.

5. Not being a team player : Getting stuck with this label is one of the fastest career killers, says Hansen. But young workers face a delicate balance. "You can't be so much a member of the team that your individual efforts are not recognized and rewarded," Hansen says. You still need to demonstrate your skills and abilities to successfully build your career without giving the appearance that you're only interested in looking out for yourself.

6. Not dressing the part : In an ideal world, you would be judged by your merits alone. However, we live in a visual society. How you present yourself can play a crucial role in the progress of your career. You want to look put together and in control, not sloppy and indifferent. Keep your hair and nails trimmed, your clothes ironed and your breath smelling nice.

As for your apparel, take your cues from what others are wearing -- you don't want to show up in a suit and tie if jeans are the norm. But it doesn't hurt to dress for the job you want, advises Nemko. It can set you apart from the rest of the crowd and subtly help higher-ups visualize you in a position of more power and responsibility. If you want people to take you more seriously and build influence, you've got to dress the part.

7. Failing to network : You've heard that networking can be a good tool to help you find a job, but maintaining your contacts after you're hired is critical to the continuing success of your career. Keeping in touch helps you stay atop the latest issues in your field and gives you people to call on when you need advice. And a contact just may help you land your next job.

When you're first starting out, you probably don't know many people in your field, but there are plenty of ways you can plug into the grapevine:

Check out the resources offered by your college alumni association.

Join a professional organization or club.

Subscribe to a trade magazine.

Find online discussion groups for your industry through groups.google.com.

Keep in touch with college acquaintances in your major, especially those who may have graduated before you.

Don't be a wallflower at conferences and other functions. And always keep a business card on hand when you're outside the office. You never know when you might run into a potential contact.

Don't forget to build rapport with higher-ups in your office. You can introduce yourself at informal company socials or even while riding in the elevator. Then send them an e-mail or stop by their office to ask an occasional question or to follow up on something you chatted about previously. You never know when that friendship could come in handy down the road.

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Dont help others because others have helped you,,,,help others because its the right thing to do!!!

http://www.indopia.in/

for me, one career killer has been moving to Canada.

Rgds.

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Let's make India a better place !

I read your post in various other threads also. Your decision to go back, i believe, its really very bold, not many people can make it.
Do you think your decision to move to Calgary might have affected your career instead of chosing Toronto or Vancuver.....

Hi !
One of the best articles I had ever came across . I wish if I had applied some of these basic rules in m previous jobs ..
Ashwani

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Growing Old Is Mandatory ..Growing UP is Optional

I had 2 options, rahulk.

1. Stay here in Canada earning about $1500/- per month with the hope that I might get a better job one day. This way I could not provide a better life to my wife & kids compared to India. Calling my parents here might also not have been possible.

2. Other option was to go back. I do lose a lot of money but atleast I would be happy there.

I don't know if moving to Toronto or Vancouver might have proved to be different. Right now, Calgary is the hottest job market in Canada as per various reports. In Toronto & Vancouver also, there are many people who are struggling.

Anyways, a good article by RESP. Whether in Canada or India or anywhere in the world, these are mistakes to avoid.

A good thing would be to identify a mentor or godfather or boss early on in your career.

Rgds.

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Let's make India a better place !

Rajan,
For a few days i was thinking about you and your predicament. I can understand what good dreams that you might have had about canada ( I had too, but things did not happen the way i thought). I respect your decision that you have to be with your parents (even now , every day i think about my bad misfortune of immigrating to canada and having no money to send to my parents who raised me up nor being able to see them atleast once a year). Canada had been tough to a number of immigrants, no doubt but i would advise you to think on the following lines :
1. if your children could get Canadian citizenship, then their future is almost secured in terms of student loans, good university studies etc...
2. Have you though of all the possiblities of you getting Citizenship while not compromising your idea of moving to India and stay with your parents.
3. Once you have Canadian Citizenhip you can easliy visit UK, Gulf, America, Australia , NZ, Ireland etc... and then try to find a good job and also a way to bring your parents closer to you.
4. Take all help from the govt. to achive your dream of getting Canadian Citizenship for your children. (see your PM later tonight for details).
5. Try to get Line of Credit to ease your comfort of living till you get citizenship
6. Take turns in going to india while you await for the number of days to complete for citizenship.
Think about this Rajan. I think that if you can just choose the right moves, your children can get citizenship while you also can work without burden.
TK
Sidenote : I also have some other ideas. Please see your PM at the end of the day. I am at office and canot type much. I must also honestly say that your predicament in Canada gives me many sleepless night and my mind is always telling me to help you in some way or the other. I also find you to be one of the most honest, truthful, sympathetic members in this forum. Many times i have hated canada for the plight that it has put upon you and whenever i read your posts i get greatly disturbed. I am sure that you are not alone in Canada. There are many immigrants suffering like you. That is for sure.

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Very nice , meaningful & rejuvenating message TK,

At times our situations and circumstances mould our thinking pattern and we disregard logic ......... Or may be its emotions v/s logic.

Manasvi.