Guide to a successful career

Know what you really want to do

EVERYBODY wants to have a successful career. But the path to the top isn’t always plain sailing. Mishaps are bound to happen.

But while some mistakes are necessary to help mould us into the individual we aspire to become someday, there some which should strive to avoid.

The following are some career mistakes many of us make - and what to do to avoid them.

Start early

According to Heera Training and Management Consultancy principal consultant Heera Singh, many people do not put much thought into what they really want to do and end up “wandering” from job to job.

Because of this, they actually detest what they do, only to end up not having good careers, he says.

“I believe that every working person must put in a lot of thought into what they really want in terms of a career. This should start as soon as they get into the job market.

Heera says money is a usually a key factor when it comes to selecting a job.

“They must decide what they really like to do in terms of a job for the rest of their lives. Their talents and aptitudes must be taken into consideration.”

The earlier they make this decision, the better it will be.

“Academic qualifications are just an intellectual capacity indicator and an inroad into the job market. It must never be allowed to chain you to a career in any one field.

“For example just because you are an accountant, does not mean that you must stay in that field for the rest of your life. There are so many opportunities in the corporate world today, namely in business, in the sales line, in online business.”

Using a metaphor, Heera says that “if you are a duck, you should find a career where it entails swimming; and if you are a monkey, you should have a career around the climbing of trees.”

“What this means is that you will do a job that you have the talent and natural inclination for and this will translated into a better career.”

Not willing to keep learning

Climbing up the ranks requires one to continuously keep learning - a process that can be challenging, says Leaderonomics chief executive officer Roshan Thiran.

“Each time I ask people if they love to learn, they all answer yes. What most people forget is that learning is very painful and tough. It requires hard work and practice.

Roshan: ‘You have to learn so many thing before making the grade.

“Try learning a new language or a new skill. It requires hours of focus, dedication and persistent practice.

“You can’t be CEO instantly. You have to learn so many thing before making the grade to run an organisation. But learning requires sacrifice and time. Getting the big job involves hard work and learning.”

Riding on past successes

According to Eric Jackson, in his article The 8 Dumbest Career-Ending Mistakes That Smart People Make on Forbes, many people take it for granted that their past successes can be replicated in future jobs.

“There’s an arrogance that can take hold in really smart people over time. They’re used to being the stars. They’re used to having an audience of admirers.

“Their whole lives have been a series of one success after another. Why wouldn’t this pattern continue, they think? This over-confidence breeds lots of blind spots.”

Money as a major influence

Heera says that money is a usually a key factor when it comes to selecting a job.

“Let’s say that a person has to make a decision in terms of two job offers. I would think that the salary offered will play in huge role in his choice. But is this wrong? My view is that money is important but must never be the overriding factor in choosing a job.”

Heera provides an example of a young graduate that takes up a job because of the high pay.

“The company may pay him better but the career prospects and personal development opportunities will be minimal. So by taking up the job with the higher pay, it actually hinders his long-term career prospects.

“On the other hand, if he takes up a lower paying job in a big company, it enhances his career as there will be many opportunities and prospects for career advancement.

“Most people do not take into consideration factors like career opportunities or personal development when making decisions on job offers.”

Roshan concurs that many people are influenced by salaries and nothing more.

“People like to follow money. What is more important is not money but experience. Go where you will get the richest experience.”

Neglecting the people that helped you

According to Jackson, many people forget that you are able to “catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar.”

“There’s an old saying - be nice to the people on your way up, because you’ll also be seeing them on your way down. There’s a lot of truth in that. We all have highs and lows in a long career.

“At some point, no matter how successful you are in the moment, you will get knocked down by something or someone.”

He adds that at some point in time, we will need allies and supporters.

“Therefore, don’t alienate people by telling them how brilliant you are and stupid they are — even if it never seems like you’ll need their support in the future. You never really know who you might have to call on for a favour in the future.”