Let’s face it: no one wants to make a mistake at work that could jeopardize their job. But it happens – sometimes without us even realizing it. While slip-ups are inevitable, there are a few that can seriously hurt your career if you are not careful. To keep yourself on solid ground, here are 7 job-killing mistakes to avoid, along with some real-life examples to drive the point home.
Clear communication is key to success in any job, yet it is something many of us overlook. Whether it is not updating your boss on project progress or miscommunicating with your team, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and damaged relationships. For example, I knew a project manager who didn’t communicate delays to the client, thinking it wasn’t a big deal. The result? The client was blindsided and furious, leading to the project being pulled and his eventual departure from the company.
If you keep people informed – even when the news isn’t great – you’ll build trust and keep things running smoothly.
If you are just going through the motions and doing the bare minimum, don’t be surprised if your career stalls – or worse, ends. Managers appreciate employees who are proactive and go above and beyond. For instance, let’s say there’s a problem in the office – maybe the team’s productivity is slipping. If you are the person who steps up with suggestions for improving workflow, you are going to stand out. But if you sit back and wait to be told what to do, you might blend into the background – and eventually, get cut when the company needs to trim its workforce.
3. Being Resistant to Feedback
No one enjoys hearing they need to improve, but being defensive or ignoring feedback is a big mistake. Take Jane, for example. She was a talented designer, but her boss kept suggesting she refine her time management skills. Instead of taking it on board, Jane brushed off the advice. Months later, her habit of missing deadlines cost her a promotion. Constructive feedback is your friend – even when it stings – so use it as an opportunity to grow.
We all love a little tea, right? But be careful – engaging in or spreading office gossip is a surefire way to hurt your reputation and potentially your job. I once worked with someone who always had the juiciest rumors about our colleagues. While it was entertaining, it didn’t take long for management to catch wind of it. They were soon seen as untrustworthy, and when layoffs came, they were one of the first to go. If you want to build trust and credibility, stay out of the drama and focus on your work.
5. Not Keeping Your Skills Up-to-Date
In today’s fast-paced world, skills that were in demand five years ago might not be enough to keep you relevant. If you are not learning and adapting, you are falling behind. Take John, for example. He was an IT specialist who refused to learn new programming languages, thinking his old-school skills would always be enough. As the company embraced newer technologies, he struggled to keep up and eventually lost his job when they brought in someone more tech-savvy. Staying current in your field isn’t just an option – it is a necessity.
If you are that person who consistently shows up late, misses deadlines, or can’t be counted on to finish a task, people will notice – and not in a good way. A friend of mine had a colleague who was smart but incredibly unreliable. Despite their talent, they were constantly behind on work, and others had to pick up the slack. Eventually, the boss had enough and let them go. Reliability is one of the most important traits in any employee, so make sure you are someone people can depend on.
7. Burning Out Without Asking for Help
It’s easy to feel like you need to handle everything on your own, but burning yourself out is a dangerous game. If you are overworked and don’t ask for help, your performance will suffer, and in extreme cases, you might burn out so badly that you quit – or get fired. I knew someone who was managing multiple projects and refused to delegate or ask for assistance. They ended up missing key deadlines and making costly mistakes because they were overwhelmed. Eventually, they were let go. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you are drowning. It is better to ask for help than to let things spiral.
In the end, mistakes happen – but avoiding these job-killing ones can keep your career on the right path. By staying proactive, being open to feedback, and keeping your skills sharp, you can avoid common pitfalls and make sure your job stays secure. If you recognize yourself in any of these examples, it is not too late to turn things around!
Contributed by Agolo Eugene Uzorka, CEO/ Lead Consultant, Eugene + George Consulting Limited (www.eugenegeorgeconsulting.com)
