Avoiding career missteps

pauliebdub

Maybe this should be in work problems so feel free to move.

I'm currently job hunting and I'm conscious of trying to avoid making career missteps that have left me in the same position for the past five years. In my current job and in my last two I've stayed for around two years with only one mini promotion, I get great reviews and I know I'm good at my job. Maybe if if I stayed in a place for 4 or 5 years I'd have a better chance?

Also when looking for jobs I tend to apply for jobs where my skills match what the company is looking for, should I apply for jobs that are a step up where I only have maybe 60% of the requirements? I'm somewhat fearful of being out of my depth or being interviewed for jobs I've little chance of getting.

I've noticed on LinkedIn that many of the people I worked with 3 or 4 years ago on my level are now in more senior positions.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

I Corps

I don't exactly have any advice for you what roles you should be getting; but job hopping might work against you. And, someone could correct me if I am wrong, but it is ideal to stay for a long period in a company. Put yourself in the company's shoes, they are investing in you as a resource and they want to get good return on that investment. Leaving the job would disrupt the company. There's a similar thread about job hopping that has been posted recently if you are interested to see. https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057896220

And speaking as someone who's had also career misstep as well, and is biting back on my ass, changing jobs proves to be hectic. Lots more personal adjustments and I reckon it is a stain on my CV which quite likely make employers reluctant to hire me. I've come to personally realise as well that it is far more stable to stick to one job. I've also seen some of my old acquaintances and friends getting promoted, enjoying life by using their hard earned money to travel; while I am here stuck in a seemingly black hole. I have been on some side jobs, one was good but I may have overthunk so there's that, while the other I quit after a week because of ****ty hours and work for little pay and a horrible boss. Nonetheless, it kind of my fault for having little to no life skills and being so ****ing confused on what the **** employers want :S

OMM 0000

How good are your networking/politics skills? These are the most important things for getting a promotion.

I think you should apply for the jobs where you only meet 60% of the requirements. Job specs are often aspirational.