5 unprofessional habits standing in the way of your career growth

As a career-minded person striving for success in a professional world, it helps to remember that whatever habits you adopt or do not affects the success of your career directly. Some of those habits, the bad ones greatly hinder your career growth and you might not even be aware of them. Bear in mind that in the workplace, you are perceived as either competent or knowledgeable or the complete inverse! This influences the opportunities afforded to you and how much your employer values you. Here are five unprofessional habits you should discard right away if you want your career to succeed. 

Dressing for a demotion
Dress for the job you want - not the job you have- they say! Dressing sloppily will never be 'acceptable' and is a guaranteed way to put off those around you. As a professional, pay attention to wardrobe fundamentals like fit, cleanliness, and the season. Yes, some work environments are more relaxed than others are but it's no excuse to show up to work in sweatpants and flip-flops. 

Complacency
You have theé job! Your finances are in order, and you can just go about living life never having to learn anything new. All you have to do is just perform well in your current job. This is what we call complacency. Feeling somewhat satisfied and think that there is nothing more to learn out there. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, when you no longer want to 'improve' yourself and feel as though you have made it, you get too comfortable in your career and forget that whatever you are doing can always be improved and expanded on. This hinders your growth and can be holding you back in your career.

Attitude
Your outlook on life will reflect in your career, and that will be determined by your attitude towards life. Do not think you can be a pessimist in every aspect of your life but your career and hope to thrive still. Attitude plays an important role in all aspects of life, having the right attitude has a profound influence on how successful your professional life turns out. Most people's careers are hindered by their attitudes and they are not even aware of it.

Playing victim
The victim role is by far the most deadly to success, playing the victim will not help you progress nor advance in your career! People who like playing victim always believe that their boss cost them a raise or a colleague sabotaged them. They do not take responsibility for their actions and believe that they are always at a disadvantage because of other people's machinations or lack of consideration. They hold onto grudges just in case anyone ever tries to hold them accountable for something. This type of thinking will not aid in your career growth if growth is what you want.

Failure
'Failure is information - we label it a failure, but it is more like, this didn't work, and I'm a problem solver, so I'll try something else.' Most people fear failure, they do not even try because of the chance of not succeeding and that is why they never see their dreams come true. The truth is, failure is a precious gift, it is an inevitable step on your way to success, a step you need to take more than once if you want to advance in your career endeavors. Always remember that failure is followed by lessons and experience, and it makes you stronger. If you want to succeed in your career, you need not be afraid of failure and taking risks.

Communicate Recruitment is a specialist recruitment company with over 3 decades of experience. We offer tailor-made recruitment solutions to clients and help candidates shape careers. Visit our website to learn more about us.