How to Avoid Biggest Career Mistake?

When it comes to marketing to yourselves, you all think that what you do is known to almost everybody. But what if, there are a very few people who notes what are you working for and what are you doing these days? Now in fast pacing world, it is imperative that almost all of you must be jumping here and there in search of better working opportunities. But, when you meet people you had known when you were working elsewhere, what happens?

Have you tried announcing or at least informing anybody when you change jobs or modify your business model or when you quit doing something? Well, that’s what we are talking about here. The biggest mistake of your career would be that nobody knows what you are doing currently. This would obviously land you in loss of some great networking opportunities since people are unaware of your current working status. Let’s see how this can be managed.

Have a relevant and solid response to what do you do?

Most of us have a stereotype answers to “what do you do these days”. Most of us tend to say ‘not much’. Now you have given some vague answer to one who could have been your best networking buddy or to the one who would now send again irrelevant opportunities based on what he could remember your last job was.

So, if anybody asks you this question, be ready with your exact and solid response, which may include your current work portfolio and any plans (if you see that you can genuinely connect through this other person).

Market your buddy and he will do the same for you

Most of us are very shy and do not like to talk much about our working experience or professional commitments and achievements. It is however, very important to market yourselves for right working or networking opportunities. So, if you can’t promote yourselves, then you can talk to one of your workplace buddies, who would be able to spread good things. In return, you can also do the same for him and yes, problem solved.

Create an aura around yourself

No, we are not talking spiritually. When you express your ideas or voice put opinion about any concern or issue or any concept related to your forte, then people will listen to you. But for that, you need to expand your knowledge base, read a lot and develop certain logic or ideas or opinion which will matter most and people will recognize you as an expert, if you happen to bang on.

About Prof Janek Ratnatunga 1129 Articles
Professor Janek Ratnatunga is CEO of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. He has held appointments at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Australian National University in Australia; and the Universities of Washington, Richmond and Rhode Island in the USA. Prior to his academic career he worked with KPMG.