Career blunders we aren’t making in 2020...

In your 30s

If you made any career mistakes in your twenties, this is the time to fix them. However, here are some that you make in this decade that’ll affect you.

1. Not utilising networking opportunities

Whoever said that deals aren’t made in the boardroom, but on the golf course, knew what he was talking about. If an opportunity to brush shoulders with new people, especially decision makers in your industry, arises, grab it with both hands. 

Don’t be in a rush to get home after work… if there is an event that you can benefit from, attend it (most of these happen to be cocktails or dinner affairs, and sometimes they might be brunches or lunches over the weekend).

2.  A bad work ethic

Going out with friends on Friday through Sunday may have been the norm when you were in your twenties, but not your thirties. You may have been the life of the party back then, but your thirties call for more finesse.

Especially if partying all weekend is going to affect your work. You don’t want to show up at work with a hangover on Monday morning smelling like you spent the previous night in a brewery.

3. Avoiding extra work

Times are tough and companies, now more than ever, are retrenching staff and cutting costs. Some employees will sneer at extra work, which might result in being given the boot.

If you want your employer to see that you are a team player who is invested in the company’s vision, take on the extra work.

This will also be a learning opportunity for you. But, just like your twenties, ensure that you utilise your time at work well so that your job doesn’t railroad how you spend time in your personal life.

4. Becoming the office gossip

Some employees don’t know how not to gossip. If there is a situation that calls for criticising the boss or fellow employees, you’re sure to find them in the middle.

Don’t be that person who wants others to affirm their negativity. Furthermore, if you have such a co-worker, don’t spend more time than necessary with them as, most likely, their conversations will usually head in the gossip mongering direction.

5. Not having a mentor

A mentor in your thirties is critical. You can’t do everything by yourself.  As you think of ways to advance your career, a mentor at your workplace will guide you through your goals and help you make important career-related decisions.

6. Letting past mistakes define your future

If you’re the kind of employee who doesn’t use past mistakes as opportunities for learning, you will be stuck in a rut and you won’t advance in your career.  Think of the mistakes as lessons learned and not life sentences.

7.  Not owning up to your mistakes

Through personal growth, some things become easier, such as taking ownership of your mistakes. Do not be one of those people who like pinning their mistakes on their colleagues when you’re in trouble. You’ll come off as immature. This is also a sign that you are not a team player.

In your 40s

By now you know your weaknesses and strengths, and you’ve established yourself in your career. You won’t be making the mistakes you made in your twenties, and you’ll be avoiding those that you made in your thirties. But to err is human, so here are mistakes you might make in your 40s.

1. Thinking you have enough professional contacts

As you move along in your career, you may get to a point where you might think that you have enough professional contacts. You don’t. Trying to get references from companies that are out of business or retired managers is akin to pulling teeth.

Your network ages out of the marketplace if you don’t focus on acquiring new contacts to back fill the ones that fall out. Reach out to your peers and younger colleagues to stay connected in the industry.  This will also help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

2. Blaming your employer

If you have colleagues that have been laid off – not because of bad conduct, but due to necessary cuts to sustain the business, do not blame the employer. Rarely, in this day and age, will you find an employer who is offering full-time and long-term employment.

The employee-employer relationship is morphing every day and the trend is ‘every professional for themselves’. Getting mad won’t fix it, but finding a way to leverage it will go a long way to getting what you want.  

3. Not figuring out your specialty

As a seasoned employee, you are expected to bring more value to the company. You are the balm to your employer’s wound. Job security is about building up an expertise that is in-demand, therefore, don’t be a jack of all trades.

At least perfect one that can prove that you will alleviate your boss’s bigger headaches. There’s nothing worse than waking up one day and realising that your skills aren’t valuable to the organisation anymore.

In your 50s

Senior jobs are few, so, in your fifties, avoid making the following career mistakes.  

Thinking you don’t need a new skill

The workplace is constantly evolving and so should you. Don’t think that if your boss offers training that the exercise is only intended for the new and young employees. If you have the chance to broaden, and sharpen your skills, jump at it. This way, you’ll stay relevant at work.

Scoffing at mentoring

Your age and experience in the workplace might not always put you ahead of others in the organisation. Technologies are emerging every other day, and younger employees are fluent in their use. Mentoring is a two-way street, so embrace it, even if it comes from someone half your age.

Avoiding socialising with the younger crowd

Make time for younger colleagues, even though you think you don’t have much in common. Go for the occasional office drink up, or lunch, if invited. It is easier to lay off an employee who nobody knows. Don’t become that person.