Careers make up a significant portion of our lives, whether they’re something we’re passionate about or not. With careers being so powerful and such a complex topic to navigate, it’s no wonder that many are filled with career-based regrets.
A recent Resume Now study found that a staggering 66% of workers suffer from career regrets, and previous research found that career regrets are some of the most common. Experience is the best teacher, but we can’t always rely on hindsight to live a career without regrets. Instead, we’ll look at some of the most frequent mistakes people make in their journeys and how to avoid them.
Not having the right plan
Envisioning your life path is difficult, yet we expect young adults to have a plan before they finish high school. The pressure to find the right role for both personal satisfaction and financial gain is crushing and every path is filled with twists and turns. No one can accurately plan out a perfect and fulfilling career path, but the better planning you do, the better you can handle those twists.
Data and research are keys to success in all aspects of life, and having a better understanding of the skills needed, market projections, and the day-to-day life of your target role are crucial. Forbes’ Tracy Brower said that 53% of people regretted not getting a college degree and 49% of people regretted not getting an advanced degree. While a college degree won’t solve every problem and isn’t the right choice for everyone, this is one of many areas where prior planning can help you set the right goals.
“1. Telling yourself, “someday”.
❌ “Someday” usually means “never”.
✅ Set small, consistent goals daily—create momentum 📈.” –Doklin, dev.to
Staying in a bad role
Getting out of the wrong opportunities is just as important as looking for the right ones. A role you’re in might not be your favorite, but perhaps the pay is good enough and it’s comfortable. Or you’re afraid to search during a tough market (hard to blame anyone for that).
But staying in that role will lead to missed opportunities, and many regret sticking with a role that doesn’t fulfill them. Salaries show that companies don’t value loyalty—you can make more money with strategic job hopping. LinkedIn’s Rachel Botsman lists the pain of inaction as one of the most common regrets in life. It’s up to you to decide whether to move toward a more fulfilling path.
Not handling money correctly
It’s not uncommon for regrets to focus on not finding something you’re passionate about, but not everyone can be passionate about work. Not everyone would do their job if they weren’t getting paid, and choosing a career to make good money for a life outside of work is valid. Even then, many career regrets are based on salary.
Ramped’s Ben Grant lists taking the first job for the money and not negotiating salary and raises as two of the most common career regrets. The first is another example of small comfort hampering you in the long run, while the latter is a common struggle point. Don’t harm your overall earnings by being satisfied too easily. By taking time to plan and learning to understand your worth, you can avoid later sorrows.
“Don’t underestimate your value! Be your own advocate when it comes to career advancement. This means confidently negotiating salaries, requesting promotions, and asserting your worth in the workplace.” –Abrar Syed
Overworking
Wanting to be good at your job is a good thing, and you’ll find a lot more rewards by putting in effort and getting things done. But hard work alone doesn’t guarantee a good life. Sometimes, it just leads to even more work. Being a workaholic and not spending enough time with family and friends and hobbies are some very prevalent regrets.
No matter how valuable you are at work, the company can replace you. And as we mentioned, loyalty isn’t always rewarded. Realizing this can have two benefits. In the short term, you can keep upskilling and growing so that you’ll have the skills to stay afloat. On the other, you’ll realize before it’s too late to prioritize your life outside of work.
Not trusting themselves
An easy path toward a life filled with regrets is to follow someone else’s path. While we can learn a lot from the success of others, there isn’t a set blueprint for a fulfilling life. You’ll need to come up with your own plan and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your desires to carve a path you can be happy with.
Inevitably, you’ll make some mistakes and have some regrets. But you need to learn to trust your intuition and make moves based on your experiences. If you’re agitated by your current lot in life, take a deep look at why. Vault’s Rob Porter says that only by confronting your regrets and learning how you tackle problems can you take necessary steps toward greatness.
Wrap up
It’s impossible to live a life with no regrets, but by focusing on what you want in life and learning from the mistakes of others, you can minimize your own career regrets. Be forward-thinking, take time to examine your goals, and learn to trust your intuition and you’ll make better steps toward a fulfilling career.
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