Career Blunders to Avoid



Posted: Tuesday, January 25, 2011

by Crystal O'Brien
MMC Inc.

This list of job blunders may seem logical, but it never hurts to remind everyone of some commonplace, yet preventable, decisions that can be career breaking. The list has been adapted from advice offered by Jennifer Star, a New York City-based corporate recruiter and trainer.

1. Lying on Job Applications: Remember to tell the truth from the start. While "puffing" on resumes may seem harmless, not telling the truth in the beginning of a work relationship can be an absolute fast path out the door.

2. Failing To Be Discreet When Job Hunting: If you are in the market for a new job, don't send your resume from your office computer, which most likely is monitored by IT. Assume your instant messages (IMs) and emails are also fair game.

3. Gossiping: You never know who is listening to your discussions. So, keep gossip to yourself, and never repeat anything you overhear. Winding up on the wrong side of the rumor mill can cost you more than somebody's trust; it can mean your job.

4. Taking Too Many Personal Calls: Spending much of your work time orchestrating your own personal business, can quickly lead to your having to look for a new job.

5. Drinking at Work: Most positions require an employees’ unimpaired attention. Think again before having drinks at lunch or drinking too much at work parties.

6. Surfing the Web Excessively: Spending much of your workday cruising around cyberspace puts you just a point-and-click away from unemployment.

7. Becoming Romantically Involved with the Boss: While it may make for great water cooler discussion, a boss/direct-report romance can easily make work too uncomfortable fast . . . and usually not for the boss.

8. Forgetting to Double-Check Figures: When working with numbers always scrutinize your work carefully. One stray zero could make the difference between being employed and unemployed.

9. Alienating Coworkers: To do your job effectively, you'll need the cooperation, support and goodwill of those around you. If you don't have these things, you probably won't be effective. And becoming detached from those you work with could get you replaced with someone who can work well with others.

10. Pointing the Finger at Everyone but Yourself: Take ownership of your job. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Don't try to sweep your mistakes under the carpet -- or worse, blame somebody else. The truth will usually come back to bite you on the bottom line. And nobody wants to trust or work with a liar. 
Crystal M. O'Brien, Esq. serves as MMC's Employment Law Manager/Corporate Counsel. After receiving a double-degree in psychology and sociology from Oberlin College in 1988, Ms. O'Brien earned a workers' compensation insurance claims adjusting license in 1991. She completed post-graduate studies in Human Resources Management at Portland State University's Graduate School of Urban & Public Affairs from 1996-1998 and earned a Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Willamette University College of Law in 2001. Immediately following law school, Ms. O'Brien served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Faith Ireland (ret.) of the Washington State Supreme Court. She is licensed to practice law in California Washington as well as before U.S. District Courts in each state. Collectively, Ms. O'Brien has 19 years of litigation experience.

To view her complete bio click here.

www.MMChr.com

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