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March 2 0 0 8

3 Mistakes That Can Sink Your Career
Stay Afloat by Avoiding these Workplace Blunders

workplace mistake Have you ever worked with someone who seemed dead-set on sabotaging their own career? While the co-worker was probably completely oblivious of how their self-destructive behavior was affecting their job, it’s likely that everyone around them could see the writing on the wall.

To avoid unintentionally destroying your prospects for professional advancement, check out the tips below on avoiding three of the biggest workplace no-no’s.

Foaming at the Mouth Over Negative Feedback
Volcanic, explosive, temperamental. Are these words that supervisors or co-workers could use to describe you? If so, you probably have a difficult time handling negative feedback. But if you’re like most people, at some point in your career you’ll have to face criticism regarding your quality of work, attitude, or skill level. Whether or not you believe the feedback is justified isn’t important.

Blowing up after criticism is always a bad idea. Even if you believe the co-worker or supervisor was out of line or had their facts wrong, it’s not okay to respond with personal attacks, physical intimidation or aggressive language.

What you should do instead: When someone shares feedback that you don’t like or agree with, it’s important to stay calm and professional. Thank them for coming to you with their concerns. Request some time to think about the information they’ve given you. Then, take time to calm down, if necessary, before reviewing the feedback.

Chances are, there’s some truth in the criticism, so focus on making any necessary improvements to your behavior or attitude instead of how it makes you feel. Finally, don’t hold a grudge against the person who gave the feedback. Instead, work toward showing that you’re making strides to correct your weaknesses.

Spouting Pessimism Like a Leaky Faucet
Are your co-workers incompetent and lazy? Is your boss controlling or too-hands off? Do you think your company is probably about to go under, and on top of that you’re not getting paid enough? If you’re prone to expressing these feelings, people around you most likely view you as a kill-joy, or worse.

While everyone has gloomy thoughts from time to time, verbalizing them affects more than just your own attitude. You might think that a few grumbles here and there are harmless or even funny, but the truth is, negativity hurts your career.

What you should do instead: When you feel like a cloud is hanging over your head, fight the urge to give into pessimism. Instead, force yourself to look on the bright side. Even when things are tough, you can still find something to be thankful for.

Managers are much more impressed with employees who search out the silver lining than those who voice their every grievance. So, the next time you feel tempted to gripe about something, take a moment to consider if the comment is really necessary or beneficial to those around you. If it’s not, keep it to yourself, and wait to say something until you’re feeling more cheerful.

Racing to the Top by Squishing Others
Is your personal motto: “It’s all about me”? Do you view co-workers as obstacles on your way up the rungs of the corporate ladder? If you find yourself gossiping about others, cutting colleagues down, or subtly sabotaging their work, it’s time to take a good, hard look at the way you treat people.

Ambition is a good thing, but if it causes you to hurt others, you’ve gone too far in your pursuit for success. Putting co-workers down may seem like the fastest way to the top, but remember that what goes around comes around. If you practice cut-throat office politics, you can count on the co-workers treating you the same way at some point in the future.

What you should do instead: If you really want to move ahead in your career, focus on building others up, not tearing them down. Looking out for the best interests of others is good for your career.

Not only will you form allies throughout your company, you’ll also be demonstrating your leadership and relationship skills.

You can develop meaningful relationships with those you work with by praising them in private and in public, offering your help when they’re in a pinch, and encouraging them when they’re feeling low.

Don’t torpedo your career by making these common workplace mistakes. Instead, safeguard your professionalism by learning from the feedback of others, keeping a positive attitude, and respecting people. You’ll find that putting these disciplines into practice will do wonders for your career.

Rejoining the Workforce
How to Return to Work After an Extended Absence

returning to the workforce

There are numerous reasons you may be away from work for an extended period of time. These include taking time off to raise a family, experiencing a layoff, caring for elderly or sick family members or attending school. Regardless of why you’ve been gone, returning to work can seem like a formidable task. By keeping a few things in mind, your transition back into the workforce can be a smooth one.

Finding where to start
The first step is figuring out what you’re looking for in a job. Your priorities may have changed in your time away. Maybe your previous career would be too demanding now that you have a family, or perhaps you’ve developed new interests while away from work. Planning your next career move will be much easier after you assess your own values, interests, and goals.

Updating your skills
Once you’ve set your career goals, it’s time to catch up with the rest of the workforce by updating your skills. Even if you’re returning to the same career, you’ll be surprised by some of the changes that took place since you were away. Get up to date with industry news and start communicating with people in your network well before you actually return to work. You may also want to consider pursuing additional education and training to freshen up your skills.

Overcoming your own barriers
One of the most stressful aspects about rejoining the workforce after an extended absence is dealing with your own fears and anxieties. You may feel that your skills are outdated, that employers look down on career gaps or that you just can’t fit in after being gone for so long.

Confidence in yourself is one of your strongest resources for overcoming these worries, so make sure you show this during your interviews. If the employer asks about the career gap in your work history, be positive when explaining how your absence was beneficial and how it has improved your qualifications. The skills you picked up and used while away are still relevant to work, even though you weren’t getting paid.

Working temporarily
When you’re looking to rejoin the workforce after an extended absence, consider seeking the help of a staffing company. Staffing agencies can help you prepare for your next career, even if you’ve been out of work for an extended period of time. Staffing companies can help you create a functional résumé that highlights your skills rather than a chronological résumé that just details continuous employment. Temporary work allows you to gain valuable skills and job experience in a variety of industries without the long-term commitment. Many temporary jobs can lead to permanent positions as well.

Returning to the workforce can be overwhelming. By updating your skills and recognizing the skills you picked up while away, you’ll build confidence in yourself. By setting out a plan of action before you jump right back into work, you’ll create a smoother transition for yourself and be on your way to a new career.