7 Common Career Mistakes In The New Year That Employees Make

In the corporate world, the first quarter of the year is a critical time as it sets the tone for the rest of the year. This is when performance evaluations are conducted, bonuses are awarded and promotions are decided. It’s a period that can make or break your career trajectory. Yet, employees tend to make seven common career mistakes in the New Year that could be detrimental to their professional growth.

Seven Common Career Mistakes In The New Year

Let’s face it. We all make mistakes. It’s part of the human condition—whether you’re a new employee trying to make a good impression or a seasoned professional aiming for a promotion. It’s important to avoid making these mistakes to increase your chances of promotion.

According to Tim Brown, founder of Hook Agency, employees unwittingly make seven common mistakes in the first quarter of the New Year. He identified these mistakes and shared them with me by email, along with tips on how to avoid them.

1. Not setting realistic goals. Brown says that many people set lofty and unrealistic goals at the beginning of the year, only to become overwhelmed and give up when they realize their objectives aren’t attainable. “To avoid this mistake, be realistic and specific with your goals,” he advises. “Set smaller, achievable targets that will eventually lead to the bigger goal.”
2. Not updating your resume and professional profiles. Updating should be a regular practice, according to Brown, but often gets overlooked at the beginning of the year. “Make sure to take the time to update your resume, LinkedIn profile and any other professional profiles to reflect your current skills and accomplishments so you’re ready to pounce when an opportunity arises,” he suggests.
3. Not networking. After the holiday season, Brown says that many people tend to hunker down and focus on work rather than networking. “This can be a missed opportunity to build relationships and expand your professional network,” he asserts, adding that employees should make it a goal to attend networking events and connect with industry professionals to gain access to new opportunities.
4. Not communicating with your boss. Brown explains that your supervisor is central to your career growth. Yet, he contends that a lot of people make the mistake of not communicating with their boss about their career aspirations and progress. “Make it a priority to schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your goals for the year and any areas where you may need additional support or guidance,” he recommends.
5. Not asking for feedback. Brown points out that feedback is integral for professional growth, yet employees often hesitate to ask for it. “Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your boss, colleagues or even clients,” he emphasizes. “Use this feedback to identify areas where you can improve and make a plan to address them.”
6. Not learning new skills. Brown notes that in a rapidly-changing job market, you gain a step by continuously learning and developing new skills. “If you neglect to invest in your professional development, you may fall behind and miss out on advancement opportunities,” he cautions. “Make it a goal to learn a new skill or take on a new project to expand your knowledge and expertise.”
7. Not setting boundaries. Brown stresses that work-life balance is of the utmost importance for your overall well-being, but he says people sometimes struggle to set boundaries and overwork themselves at the beginning of the year. He recommends that you make sure to set limits and prioritize your health and well-being, which will benefit you personally and make you more productive and motivated at work.

There are various factors that contribute to first of the year blunders—from the pressure to meet yearly goals to the eagerness to impress new managers. Studies show that there are tools like meditation that reduce mind wandering and mistakes. In addition, Brown believes that understanding the underlying causes can help prevent them from reoccurring in the future. “Identifying and rectifying these common mistakes in the New Year increases your chances of success and sets the stage for a successful promotion season,” he argues.

A Final Word On Common Career Mistakes In The New Year

The pre-holiday period, when companies plan next year’s organizational changes, presents an ideal time to demonstrate leadership potential, according to Matthew Woodward of Search Logistics. He posits that, with only 6.5% of employees—or 13 out of every 200—receiving promotions each year, standing out during this pivotal time requires more than just hard work. As businesses finalize year-end restructuring, it’s important to pay attention to common behaviors that could sabotage promotion chances. There are often overlooked workplace actions that can derail chances of a promotion.

“Avoiding typical career mistakes at the beginning of the year allows you to focus on personal growth,” Brown explains. “This is because with the start of the new year usually comes a sense of motivation and determination to improve yourself. By avoiding common career mistakes, you can focus on building your skills, expanding your knowledge and setting achievable goals.”

Brown underscores that in today’s competitive job market, your reputation and personal brand can significantly impact your career success. He concludes that this is why it’s so important to be proactive and mindful of your career choices and decisions, so you don’t make the seven common career mistakes in the New Year and have the best shot at promotions in the New Year.