7 Worst Career Mistakes I Made in my 20s | First Job Mistakes | Insider Gyaan

Summary

In this video, Swami, an IIT Delhi and ISB Hyderabad graduate with a decade of experience in management consulting and banking, shares seven career mistakes he regrets and hopes others can avoid. He discusses the importance of communication with senior leaders, attending informal office events for networking, taking initiative, speaking up when unsure, marketing your work, managing workloads, and confidently voicing your opinions in meetings. Swami emphasizes the value of learning from these mistakes and offers practical advice for professional growth in the corporate world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regular communication with senior leaders is crucial for your work to be recognized and aligned with the team's goals.
• 😀 Informal office events are not just for fun—they're essential for networking and building valuable relationships within your company.
• 😀 Don't expect to be told what to do at every step; corporate roles often require self-direction and initiative to solve problems.
• 😀 Speak up when you don’t understand something—managing expectations early leads to better outcomes and clarity.
• 😀 Good work alone isn’t enough—promote yourself and make sure others know about your contributions to gain recognition.
• 😀 Don’t overcommit by saying yes to everything—prioritize tasks and focus on delivering quality over quantity.
• 😀 Speak up and share your point of view in meetings, even if you’re junior—your insights are valuable and can set you apart.
• 😀 Don't be afraid to build a personal brand and reputation at work—your skills are useless if no one knows about them.
• 😀 Expecting to be constantly guided is a mistake—taking ownership and solving problems independently adds real value to your role.
• 😀 Building relationships through informal conversations and social events creates trust and makes collaboration easier down the line.

Q & A

Why is it important to keep senior leaders informed about your work?

Keeping senior leaders informed ensures alignment on expectations, reduces the risk of wasted effort, and helps prevent your work from being dismissed. Regular communication with them helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures your efforts are in the right direction.

What is the main benefit of attending informal office events?

Informal office events help in building personal connections with colleagues and seniors. These relationships can enhance teamwork and collaboration, and can be especially valuable when you need help or support in the future.

How can you overcome the misconception that someone will always tell you what to do at work?

It's essential to adopt a proactive mindset. In most workplaces, especially consulting, you're expected to figure out solutions on your own. Taking initiative and independently solving problems brings value to the company and demonstrates your ability to handle challenges.

Why is it crucial to ask questions when you don’t understand something?

Asking questions helps clarify expectations, prevents misunderstandings, and ensures the work you produce is correct. By managing expectations and admitting gaps in knowledge upfront, you can avoid mistakes that may appear as incompetence.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'good work is the bare minimum'?

Good work alone is not enough for career progression. It’s expected that you do well in your job. To stand out, you need to promote your achievements, build your personal brand, and ensure that others know the value you're bringing to the table.

What mistake does the speaker highlight about saying 'yes' to too many tasks?

Saying yes to too many tasks leads to overloading yourself, which can result in subpar work. It's better to focus on a few tasks, do them well, and manage expectations by communicating your current workload to others.

What is the value of speaking up in meetings, especially as a junior team member?

Speaking up in meetings shows initiative and helps you stand out. As a junior member, you may have valuable insights because you are closer to the data. Sharing your perspective builds visibility and can contribute to better solutions.

How can networking help in a corporate environment?

Networking helps build relationships that go beyond just work tasks. When you have personal connections with colleagues or seniors, they're more likely to support you or help you when needed. Informal networking, like office parties, can build those essential bonds.

What does the speaker mean by 'managing expectations'?

Managing expectations means clearly communicating your workload and capabilities. If you’re asked to take on additional work, it’s important to explain your current responsibilities and whether you can realistically manage the new tasks without sacrificing quality.

Why is it important to market yourself and your work in a corporate setting?

Marketing yourself and your work ensures that others are aware of your contributions. By talking about the work you’re doing, you increase your visibility, which can lead to recognition, promotions, and more opportunities within the company.