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The world moves faster every day—and so does the workplace. Amid the wild pace of the modern professional world, it’s easy to get bogged down in a role’s day-to-day challenges at the expense of focusing on one’s long-term career growth. But that same, ever-accelerating pace makes stepping back to assess your trajectory even more important. This week’s piece offers insights from an expert career coach who helps people assess and direct their career paths. His advice on common career mistakes offers practical tips to avoid pitfalls– and accelerate your path forward.

Happy reading!

“THE 9 BIGGEST CAREER MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM”
_{by Matt Youngquist for The University of Washington School of Professional Education}

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Career coach Matt Youngquist has helped over 20,000 professionals improve the trajectory of their careers. Here, he lists the nine biggest career-limiting mistakes he has seen professionals make, with key strategies for how to avoid them:

Letting Somebody Else Make Career Decisions for You: Advice is a powerful resource, but the power to discern the good advice from the bad is a superpower. Your career should align with your talents, interests, and values, not just the advice of others. Trust your own instincts when choosing a path. Utilize career assessments and counseling resources to make informed decisions.

Underestimating the Importance of Networking: The “its not what you know…” cliché bear some truth. Success is not just about talent—it’s also about relationships. Building a strong network, even online, can open doors and create career opportunities. Find a networking strategy that suits your personality and stick with it.

Not Keeping Your Skills Sharp or Engaging in Continuous Learning: The job market evolves quickly, and staying relevant requires ongoing education. Whether through formal training or self-study, lifelong learning helps maintain your competitive edge. Keeping skills fresh also helps combat workplace biases, such as age discrimination.

Failing to Clarify Your Career Priorities (or Recognizing Tradeoffs): Every job comes with tradeoffs, so it’s crucial to define what matters the absolute most—whether it's salary, impact, flexibility, or work-life balance. Understanding your priorities helps you choose a fulfilling career path. No job offers everything one seeks.

Not Being Able to Explain the Specific “Problems You Can Solve”: Employers hire people who solve problems, so knowing your personal value proposition is essential. What problems do you make go away? Be clear on the skills you bring and how they benefit an organization. A failure to understand or articulate this can limit your trajectory.

Failing to Consider the Impact of Age Bias: Though despicable, age bias is a very real factor- Especially in fast-changing industries. Be proactive by keeping your skills current (see last week’s newsletter about upskilling vs reskilling) and avoiding behaviors that reinforce negative stereotypes. Adaptability and energy can counteract assumptions about age.

Not Keeping Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile Current: Regularly updating your resume and LinkedIn makes job opportunities easier to pursue. Keep track of your achievements so you’re always prepared to present your skills effectively. Updating every year or two prevents last-minute scrambling.

Inability to Ask for Help: Career growth is rarely a solo effort—mentors, peers, and professional circles can provide invaluable support. Seek feedback and embrace collaboration. Asking for help or advice accelerates learning and will open doors.

Underestimating the Amount of Opportunity That Exists: The world is full of uncertainty, but opportunities are more abundant than they appear. Many employers, remote work options, and alternative career paths are out there and worth pursuing. Stay optimistic and be proactive in exploring opportunities rather than focusing on limitations.

While there is no perfect roadmap for career success, you can count on a career being the product of how you leverage your learning and pursue growth. There will always be setbacks and wrong turns, but by avoiding these mistakes, you will smooth your path forward.
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So tell us: Of the mistakes listed in the article above, which resonated with you the most? Which have you been guilty of committing in your career, and how have you learned from that experience?

Thank you,

The MAP Team

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