What to Do When You’ve Made a Career Mistake
I recently spoke with someone who just experienced a career mistake. Jenny had been unemployed for three months when she received an offer she felt like she couldn’t refuse. Throughout the interview process, she had this weird feeling that things were not as they seem. The hiring manager even asked her not to look at the Glassdoor.com reviews of the company (btw… it had 2 stars and very colorful reviews of management). However, they offered Jenny significantly more than her salary requirements. Since she didn’t know when the next job offer would come along, she decided to accept the position. Jenny immediately regretted that decision after the first week.
So, what should you do if you ever find yourself in a similar situation? Well, first you should know that you are not alone. Throughout our careers we all will experience different forms of career mistakes. What is important is how you handle yourself when making mistakes at a new job.
Stay positive: I get it… it’s tough to stay positive when things at work are so negative. Remember that this is a just a season in life, and find ways to help you stay positive during the day.
Stay confident: Figure out different ways to remind yourself that you are a rockstar. Jenny mentioned that a previous employer had created a list of all the reasons her coworkers loved working with her. As cheesy as it seemed, on bad days she would read a reason to boost her confidence.
Reconnect with your network: Not only can your network help give you advice, they can also keep their ear out for a new opportunity.
Remember to continue learning: While you hopefully won’t be in a bad career situation for long, take every opportunity to learn as much as you can. It may be learning a new skill or learning what you do/do not like in a career.
Are you finding yourself in a career mistake and need help deciding your next move? Feel free to reach out to us. We’re happy to help.