We all know about the obvious things that will get you fired and make you basically unemployable. Examples include stealing from work, being constantly late, lying on a resume, and insulting your manager.
Here are some things that will slowly grind down your chances of progress if you don’t pay attention to them.
Finishing in the nick of time
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Meeting your deadline sounds nice, but if you always aim to finish up with your responsibilities at the last possible moment, your bosses will notice it and it will reflect on your work. A lot of people are very used to procrastinating and don’t do their best before they feel the pressure of an upcoming deadline.
Don’t allow yourself that luxury. An unexpected accident like a power outage could hinder you from finishing your project in time. Unlike with school, the company doesn’t care to listen to excuses. You will cost the company money, and while you probably won’t get fired for it, they will remember it and that error will actually bring down your chances of success.
“Resources are hired to give results, not reasons.” ― Amit Kalantri
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Trying to move too far up too fast
This is for those who are relatively new to their respective jobs. You have been hired, you have all the degrees needed, you feel like you are an expert, and yet, the work you get feels menial and below your level. That will inevitably happen. You can also lack work experience. In such a case, even if you did pull perfect grades in college, you simply don’t get to strut in like you own the place. Work your way up slowly and don’t fight for promotions before you rightly deserve them. Get noticed, perform to the best of your abilities and take care of your attitude and you will have a lot better chances at promotion than if you try to argue with your bosses and demand it. You should learn how your company deals with promotions and act accordingly.
Boxing yourself up
Every job comes with a description. If you simply want to keep it, then feel free to stay within that description. However, if you want to progress, you ought to take the initiative, surprise your bosses with what you can do, and go the extra mile. To get promoted, it is not enough to be the best at your job; you need to show qualities needed for the position above yours.
Staying out of office politics
This one sounds a bit slimy, and it possibly is. Nonetheless, you cannot prosper at work if you avoid the power talk altogether. Now, we are not recommending gossiping and backstabbing. However, being on good terms with the people in the authority and the influential colleagues will help you stay remembered at the moment a position opens up. Build relationships with your colleagues, help them when they need it, and ask for help even if you don’t need it as much.
Missing the office parties
This one is similar to the previous one. The point is to be remembered. If your colleagues and managers are going out every other Friday to play beer-pong or watch sports, join them even if you yourself detest sport and don’t drink alcohol. Be there, be remembered. You don’t want to be pegged as someone who only exists inside the cubicle and doesn’t feel like a part of the team. If they get that opinion of you, a good performance will not help you once the company needs to downsize.
Failing to take care of your appearance
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There is an already famous quote, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” This should be listened to, but not to the letter, of course. Wanting a promotion doesn’t warrant wearing a tie every day, but looking sharp is important. Ideally, your performance should speak for itself, but, getting a promotion is, and always will be, a sales pitch. Clothes ironed, hair trimmed and walking with a straight back. While it may feel like you stick out too much when everybody else is super casual and you look a bit more serious, that is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you work in a big company. Sticking out means getting noticed, and only then they can also notice that your performance is deserving a promotion.
