Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a new challenge, knowing where to look and how to present yourself at an interview can be daunting.

David Carey, from Eastwood, recently set-up his career development practice in Leigh and is now helping job seekers looking to develop their careers as well as offering free weekly blogs and monthly newsletters to a variety of clients.

Here, David gives his top tips for avoiding those career mishaps:

One career mistake is all it takes to have a damaging impact on your professional ambitions.

Avoiding these mistakes, while keeping your focus and passion for your

work, will help you go much further in your career, while ensuring you get enjoyment out of your day-to-day working life.

The most common career mistakes to avoid include:

1) COASTING

When you have been doing the same role for some time you begin feeling comfortable and can often stop pushing yourself. However, a little bit of effort can go a long way. Try asking for more responsibility from your manager or take on different challenges to keep yourself motivated.

2) NOT SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

Understanding what the business wants to achieve is essential to identifying your place within the business, how you fit in and how your achievements contribute to its overall success.

Developing a broader understanding and appreciation of your organisation’s ultimate goals will provide you with a deeper sense of purpose and passion for what you do, and ultimately it will make you more successful.

3) BURNING BRIDGES

The business world can be a small place and reputation is everything. Relationships, networking and word-of- mouth recommendations are incredibly important in business and career progression. Burn your bridges and you may find your reputation precedes you next time you’re looking for a new job.

4) PUTTING YOUR CAREER BEFORE YOUR LIFE
In order to be truly successful in your career you must also enjoy it. Getting that work-life balance right will help towards this and will also put things in perspective.

Though work is important, without a bit of balance in your life you won’t feel truly happy, and if you don’t feel happy or healthy, you’re unlikely to fulfil your career potential.

5) BLURRING THE LINE BETWEEN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

Over time you will naturally build relationships at your place of work. However, keeping these relationships strictly professional while in the workplace is a must.

Next week, find out more on how career mistakes could have a damaging impact on your future career.

To find out more about David Carey, visit interview-training.co.uk