A recent research study showed that only 2% of people stated that they had no regrets within their career. Meaning, that 98% of people carry regrets!
The top ten most common regrets amongst those surveyed were:
1. Not taking more initiative
2. Not having enough mentorship or guidance
3. Playing it safe/not taking more chances
4. Not maintaining my network
5. Not quitting a job, I disliked sooner
6. Not negotiating hard enough for raises
7. Not focusing enough on advancing my career
8. Not networking enough
9. Not negotiating a higher starting salary
10. Not working harder at school
The study also analysed the different genders’ regrets, revealing that:
• 34% more women admitted that not speaking up about a problem at work left them more regretful than men.
• 32% more women than men, regretted not negotiating a higher starting salary whilst.
• 30% more women than men, regretted working in a field where they do not make enough money.
• 28% more men than women regretted not working harder
• 20% more men regretted not maintaining their network.
• 15% more men than women regretted not taking more initiative.
The study found that 28% of people wished that they had pursued a passion, followed by 26% of workers wishing they had negotiated a higher starting salary, and 24% of people wished that they had negotiated a raise.
Of those who did decide to take a risk:
• 56% of people quit a job they did not like with 73% not regretting taking the risk.
• 41% deciding to change fields or industries and 78% not regretting this.
• 39% decided to speak up about a problem at work and 78% did not regret taking the risk.
