Millennials beware: 10 mistakes that could stall your career

Hello, millennials. Meet Nicole Smartt. She's in the hiring business. co-owner of a thriving personnel company - Star Staffing, which boasts clients in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Solano, and San Joaquin counties.

She entered the staffing industry at age 18 without a college degree. “I turned 30 last August, and I said, ‘What's next for me?' And I thought we're having such an issue with skill gaps and millennials are getting a bad rap, so I thought I'd write a book.”

That effort, “From Receptionist to Boss,” came out last month. NBBJ asked Smartt what advice she had for millennials pursuing a career. She warned of 10 potential pitfalls.

1. Feeling entitled

Think you'll get a raise for doing the job you were hired to do (and only that). You'll need to go above and beyond. Pay attention to workflows at work that could be improved and processes that need adjustment. Communicate your ideas in a proactive and positive way.

2. Staying silent

Communicate your desires. Do you want to be manager? Maybe the company needs more managers for a strategic pivot that you don't yet know about. Talk with management about what you want.

3. Slacking off in getting what you want

Sometimes it's not just a 9-5 job. Be a team player and put in those extra hours when needed.

4. Presenting the brand poorly

You're always representing your company. Make sure to be cognizant of that, even on off hours.

5. Lacking an online presence

Fear of making a misstep online keeps you from communicating about yourself online. Wrong move. Use your social channels to promote yourself in a positive, professional way and build your network!

6. Being the “go to” person

Are you the employee who always comes to the rescue to put out “fires.” Sure, it's probably appreciated, but it also indicates an inability to delegate. Delegating tasks for others to complete without your direct oversight, or even in your absence, shows good leadership.

7. Writing instead of talking

Communicating via email and text is easy. You get to finesse your message and have a permanent record of it. But to build connections, have a face-to-face interaction or pick up the phone. That's how relationships are built.

8. Not tracking your achievements

Keep a portfolio with credentials, stats from projects, testimonials, and the like to track your accomplishments. You'll need them when it's time to negotiate your next raise or pursue a new job.

9. Saying no to special projects

You're already busy, so it's hard to say yes to a special project. But seeking ways to contribute, stretch, and meet new people are experiences that make you more versatile and help expand your sphere of influence.

10. Being negative

Pointing out the ways in which things aren't working, unless you offer a fix suggestion, is detrimental. Operating with a positive attitude helps you work from a solution-finding point of view and it will be noticed by colleagues and management.

“These mistakes are fairly easy to sidestep, once you're aware of them,” Smartt said. “Be proactive, network, embrace challenges, and remain positive. Keep the future in your sights instead of being mired down by everyday minutia and your career will flourish.”

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