How to avoid career destruction

In today's economic downturn, all workers have the fear of losing jobs. Issues of performance and job security are not in our hands. In order to avoid getting a pink slip, employees should make sure that they don't do anything that affects their career.

Common sense dictates that employees should avoid self-destructive habits at work. Sometimes reasonable thinking is put on the back burner when employees want to stand out in the crowd or learn techniques to attract the attention of employers.

Shun the following habits to avoid career self-destruction:



Not tracking your achievements: If you have nothing to prove your skills, you may be shown the door. Better you keep a list of your accomplishments, rewards and promotions and showcase them at annual reviews or whenever you seek a pay hike. You never know when you have to go back to the job market. If you don't keep a list, you may not remember whatever you have accomplished when you want to update your resume.

Not fine tuning your skill set: The job market is ever changing. Your prime concern now is to keep your job and the best way to do that is to convince your employer that you are giving the maximum returns to them. In such a situation, you have to update your skill set and acquire new skills. That is how you would be able to show your employer that you are worth the money you are getting. You should be in a position to help the company cut its expenses.

Not giving results: Without accountability there is no business. If you take money without earning it or begin feeling that you have to be paid just for your effort, you are mistaken and soon you will be thrown out of the window.

Efficiency vs. effectiveness: In today's automated, tech and competitive world, if you think it is enough if you send an e-mail just because it is fast and ignore the importance of personally connecting with others, you are off the mark. You can be live in this economy only through relationships that cannot be nurtured through e-mails, text messages and BlackBerry chats.

Thinking you're indispensible: Nobody is indispensible in the workplace. Millions are jobless and more than half of them can replace you. Your fall begins the moment you think that you only can do the job right.

Feeling of knowing everything: Thinking you know everything will stymie your career. With such a feeling you stop learning and resist new ideas and approaches. If you want growth, you have to accept new ideas and update your knowledge in skills.

Company of yes men: Your association with yes men indicates you like to be praised. Your bosses will replace you with someone who encourages intelligence and creativity in others.

Taking all the credit: If you claim credit for every positive outcome contributed by others, you will be caught one day or the other. If you give credit where credit is due, you will be recognized as a team player; that is the key to success. You will get the same acknowledgement from your colleagues.

Not letting people know your contribution: Unless you tell your boss what is your contribution to the company, he will not know your worth. Of course, bragging is not good. Let your colleagues know your accomplishments through case studies, promotion bulletins and such other tools.

Not to know shortcomings: You must know your shortcomings and correct them. Good businessmen also don't do everything right all the time. Sometimes, they also have stumbling blocks and they need to approach a colleague or a friend or a business coach to get their way cleared. Accept the fact that you are not perfect and you will be respected.