7 Early-Career Mistakes to Avoid Like The Plague

Are you going to become known as a team-player or a ball-hog?

A know-it-all or genius?

Sometimes you can get your reputation early – and in smaller markets like the Minneapolis job market, I see business owners sharing information about candidates all the time.

You may think of us as competitors, but we're also confidants in some cases.

So before you light that match, smile and throw it behind you – remember, sometimes the bridges you burn behind you burn brightly enough to signal danger to the others in the village.

1.) Tell people interviewing you they are doing something wrong.

You may be a brilliant individual – but unless you've built a company, there's usually something you can learn from those who are interviewing you.

What to do instead: Even if you realize it's not a great fit – try to ask questions to learn about the company interviewing you, and what they've done RIGHT.

2.) Pretending you're a certain way – unless you're willing to sprint to become it.

"Fake it til you make it."

It only works when you're willing to HUSTLE like hell to become the better version of yourself.

Don't spend too much energy on pretending to be a certain way, if you can't deliver on what you're pretending to be.

What to do instead: Focus on your strengths, and what you enjoy – so you don't have to pretend AS MUCH. The secret is – we all have to 'fake it til we make it' at different parts of our life, it just shouldn't be a huge stretch – and you have to work your butt off to become what you were pretending as soon as possible.

3.) Ghosting interviews (even if it's now in vogue ;)

I get it – it's a good job market.

People are enjoying the 'irony of candidates ghosting employers' for a change.

But to make an appointment and then miss it entirely – just makes you look unprofessional. I haven't actually seen this in our industry, but if it is – I wouldn't be surprised if word traveled about that candidate to different employers in the same industry.

What to do instead: Early in my career I got the advice to treat the job search like a job. So I did that – I tried to spend as much time as I would at a job, looking, networking and taking people to coffee. Every interaction I had was treated with respect, even the ones where they couldn't offer me a job at that time.

It's a small world.

4.) Becoming known as a job-hopper.

Being at the same job for 2-5 years matters for a lot of employers. So if you can – get into a place that you'd like to spend at least 2-3 years. Getting known as a job hopper might not stop you from getting A job, but it may stop you from getting ideal jobs.

What to do instead: Employers hiring for key roles – want to see loyalty. Vet your new employer for the qualities that will actually make you want to stay around.

Do – act like you're interviewing them (in a nice way) and ask the key questions that make an ideal role for you.

Will this role allow you to do things you love?

Will this role allow you to keep your energy high?

Will this role allow you to work with people you respect?

List all of the things that would make for an ideal company or role, and with determination – seek that position out. It may sound like this approach would make you too picky, but it will signal 'high-value' to employers and make you more desirable.

5.) Acting entitled and treating co-workers or people 'under you' poorly.

I certainly haven't always been a saint at work.

I've been high-strung and bull-dogged my way through a couple of meetings.

I've realized those moments last in peoples mind, and now do what I can to avoid them. Real leadership requires restraint and keeping the trust of your colleagues so they trust you to help them reach their dreams – big and small.

What to do instead: Ultimately, I've known, however – that "honey works better than vinegar." As marketing director at a small company, I tried to reward the team when we all wrote blog posts with coffee or tacos.

6.) Trusting your employer too much, and not asking the hard questions to develop your career with or without them.

You are ultimately responsible for reaching your long-term goals.

Don't let your company and your leader hold you back from them. If you've been at a company for 3 years and you're getting too comfortable – figure out what you can do to take your self-growth to the next level. Within or without that company.

What to do instead: Be honest with yourself. If you're 'settling in' at a company – consider whether you can push to the next level, or whether you'd have to leave to achieve it.

7.) Acting impatient, and/or not 'hustling while you wait.'

Sometimes the problem is not the job – but you.

You might be resting – and not 'hustling while you wait'.

What to do instead: Make time for experiments, whether they be in your 40 hours a week, or outside of it. I for one, have taken the 'do something every day to develop a creative skill I'm trying to get better at', and use my Instagram as accountability.

Experiment relentlessly.

Take the bull by the horns.

Hustle while you wait.

"Pray to catch the bus, and run like hell to catch up."

Would love to hear others thoughts - on 'other things to avoid' – or 'tell me why I'm wrong' ;)