Losing your job is never fun. In fact its devastating. We’ve all been there or know someone that has.
Companies are growing leaner, competition is growing stiffer, and job security is becoming scarce. If you lose your job its back to the market. No fun, but amidst all this turmoil, wouldn’t you like to prosper at your workplace until you decide to leave on your own terms?
This freedom is attainable, but you must avoid all these career landmines:
Losing Your Job
1. Ignoring Warnings from Boss
Your boss will tolerate mistakes as long as you demonstrate your ability to learn from them. Repeating the same mistake, however, results in a formal warning. Ignoring such a warning can jeopardize your job.
2. Violate Workplace Confidentiality
Sharing sensitive information about your company with unauthorized people will get you fired. Pleading ignorance won’t save you. If you’re not sure, contact your HR department to familiarize yourself with the employee confidentiality policy.
3. React in Anger and Spite at the Job
Anger clouds judgment. You lose sight of the bigger picture, act on impulse, and later face the consequences of your action. Consequences become especially severe when you direct your anger at your boss. If you don’t want to lose your job, learn to voice your concerns and disagreements at least objectively if not cordially.
4. Scout Employment Opportunities
Actively seeking opportunities to further your career is smart, but doing it during office hours, using office resources isn’t. If you are looking for a job do so secretly. Otherwise, you may need that new job sooner than you think.
5. Exaggerate Knowledge and Job Skills
Dependability is the currency of career success. When you over promise and under deliver, you devalue your career capital. Consequently, your job security drops because you become the person who just “talks” big.
6. Compromise Key Result Areas
Key results areas consist of many tasks which don’t get done unless you do them. If you aren’t clear about what those tasks are, talk to your boss to identify them. This is important because lack of performance on critical duties is a serious career hazard.
7. Promote Side Business
Setting up multiple revenue streams accelerates your progress towards financial independence. But, if you solicit business from your colleagues or clients, your employer will not take it too kindly, even if there is no conflict of interest. Your employers expect you to devote your time to do what you’re hired to do. So, grow your secondary enterprises on your own time or you may lose your job.
8. Promulgate Ideology
Most businesses allow their employees the freedom to choose and practice their beliefs. However, if you forcefully or persuasively impose your beliefs, you may be asked to leave the company. This includes messages you post on blogs and social platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which could result in losing your job.
9. Handle Communication Casually
If you aren’t careful about what you say and to whom you say it, you will land in serious trouble. Whenever you communicate with anyone in a professional capacity, do so thoughtfully. After all, you don’t want to be the person Googling, “how to recall a sent message.” If you miss the 5 minute window you might be losing your job.
10. Abuse Substances at Work
Alcohol and drug use lead to low productivity, absenteeism, low morale, injuries, and high turnover. If you are a substance abuser or a victim of substance abuse, seek help immediately. Correct your course before you lose your job and hit disaster.
Lose Your Job
Having someone else decide your fate is always a terrible proposition. Even more so when it comes to your job. At the same time, awareness, sound judgment, and correct courses of action will shield you from potentially losing your job. So, if you see yourself committing these mistakes, take corrective action immediately. Your life may very well depend on it.
Since you are back on the market you may want to check out our 18 Tips on Negotiating Salary
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