Have you made a wrong turn in your career path?

If so, you’re not alone. Many people look back over the course of their careers, and feel like they could have done something different. So what are the most common things that people regret when they look back on their work histories?

Choosing the Wrong Skill Set

For various reasons, people may choose education and training that doesn’t match what they’re best at.

Maybe there was parental influence in play — maybe a particular career professional was influenced by society as a whole. Sometimes it’s confusing to figure out what you want to do with your life. In any case, lots of workers report that they should have picked some other types of skills to acquire at the beginning of their careers.

One of the most common examples is when individuals choose an education or job role that they feel they will enjoy, but one that doesn’t ultimately pay enough to finance their lifestyle. They end up wishing they had gone for “hard skills” like sciences and mathematics.

However, the flip side of the coin is also true of some people who end up wishing they had studied theater or history, instead of accounting. That’s what makes this such a common self-reported career mistake.

Drifting Along

Many people who have been stuck in a rut for years also report a sense of fatalism or a lack of productivity in early years. People make the mistake of assuming that they’re on the right path and moving ahead listlessly without much effort. Some assume that promotions are going to find them, especially if they work hard enough.

But many of these people later find that they should have done something early and taken some particular initiative that would boost them higher up their career ladders.

Taking a Stand

At the same time, sometimes a career change is necessary. People get trapped in industries that don’t fit them, or they get stuck in high-pressure industries where their careers don’t really go anywhere. Some of them find they have to break out of this later, and blaze their own path through the wilderness.

This process is tough. It’s not for everybody. But many of those who were brave enough to pursue their dreams later in life say they regret waiting, and that standing up for your principles and chasing your dreams is the right thing to do.

Slow Down

Another common career mistake is to put much into the job, and neglect other aspects of your life, such as family.

You only need to listen to the song “Cat’s in the Cradle” or just go on some kind of career forum to see high-pressure professionals lamenting the years of their life that they practically missed doing whatever they needed to be doing at their jobs 60 to 70 hours a week. So many would say it’s important to take things slow – and save time to smell the roses.

About Full Steam Staffing

Full Steam Staffing is a full-service employment agency in New Bedford, MA focused on providing clerical and light industrial staffing solutions to manufacturers, distribution centers and other organizations that need qualified, reliable workers. If you are looking for a new job in New Bedford, MA, browse our available opportunities or contact our team today!