It’s the New Year. A clean slate. Your 2013 work gaffes (I’m assuming you had at least one) are a thing of the past. But what snags await you in 2014? Here are 4 self-imposed workplace blunders you should watch out for…and avoid…in 2014:
- Notifying your LinkedIn connections (in real time) when you’ve made profile updates. While updating your profile is fine in due course, enabling LinkedIn to share such renovations informs all those you currently work with that you may be laying the groundwork in looking for a new situation. Even if that isn’t your current aim, the suspicion that you might be doing so will cause any promotions or new responsibilities that might have been coming your way to be diverted toward someone else who, on the surface, was giving no indication of jumping ship. (A similar slip-up: Indicating in your LinkedIn profile that you’re looking for work / open to solicitations, when you’re not.)
- Not accepting LinkedIn invitations from peers or supervisors at your current place of employment. While you might have good reasons for not wanting to connect with your colleagues—perhaps you have more than one current job or you’re planning a career change—failing to accept their invitations may be perceived as a virtual slap in the face. Admittedly, this is a tough one to call: a careful decision will need to be made about what’s more important to you—building out your LinkedIn profile in the most strategic way or building workplace relationships. Keep in mind that, more than likely, honoring the latter will not prevent you from fulfilling the former.
- Using outdated (read: non-smart) technology in plain sight. Yes, it may seem a petty issue but openly using an outdated phone, laptop, media player or other device may sticker you as a technology neophyte; someone who’s behind the curve—and this may damage your professional reputation. The investment you make in the latest gizmos today will likely have both an immediate and long-term positive impact on your career–the ROI is potentially enormous. (A similar slip-up: Not dressing the part. If you’re gunning for the corner office, you’ve got to wear what the C-Level is currently wearing.)
- Searching for a new job using online job boards at work. Allowing your employer to easily espy or trace such online activities is no way to instill faith that you plan to stick around. And why would any employer want to invest in such apparent non-commitment? (A similar slip-up: Abusing technology in other ways, such as watching entire World Cup matches online; visiting sites that feature the latest clothing; and of course, visiting sites that feature no clothing).