65. Avoid These Common Career-Killing Mistakes Before Year-End

CAREER-KILLING MISTAKES —  SECRETS OF THE CAREER GAME — EPISODE 65

Kendall Berg breaks down how to ace performance reviews, even when year-end chaos strikes. This episode explores why the final quarter matters more than you think, and how mistakes made in December can haunt your ratings. Kendall explains how to navigate cross-calibrations and the keys to advocating for yourself at the executive level—all while balancing holiday schedules.

She also unpacks why networking beyond your boss is crucial and how intentional career planning aligns with your personal goals.

Discover how to make performance reviews less painful and more productive. Learn strategic moves to maintain momentum through the final quarter, keep your accomplishments visible, and ace the cross-calibration process. Whether you’re navigating remote work challenges or aiming for a promotion, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to maximize the benefits of your year-end review.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to avoid year-end mistakes that can hurt your performance review ratings.
• The importance of cross-calibrations and strategies for standing out.
• Why intentional career planning and networking beyond your boss are career game-changers.

👉 Listen to the episode The Secret to Career Advancement: Cross Collaborations 

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Key Takeaways

Performance Reviews and Cross Calibrations (00:00–09:06)

• Importance of maintaining momentum through year-end
• Cross-calibrations happen at year-end
• Mistakes made close to cross-calibrations can overshadow earlier achievements
• Mid-year and quarterly reviews provide some protection against drastic rating changes
• Keep momentum through October, November, and December
• The performance review process explained
• The calibration process is detailed
• Importance of having advocates at the director level or above

Promotion Process and Networking (09:06–17:32)

• Promotion discussions often happen separately from cross-calibrations
• Need for a network beyond immediate boss for promotion
• Example of promotion process requiring executive sponsor
• Importance of keeping network warm before year-end
• Balancing work and holiday time off
• Setting boundaries and prioritizing tasks during the holiday season
• Okay to push non-critical tasks to the new year

Career Progression and Personal Goals (17:32–26:06)

• It’s okay not to want a promotion
• Importance of aligning career goals with personal life
• Advice on having promotion conversations with the boss
• Encourage intentional career decisions
• Suggestion to pursue personal interests during slower work periods
• Emphasis on doing things ‘on purpose’ rather than accidentally
• A reminder that setbacks are normal in careers

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That Career Coach

Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach?

Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_

Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/

Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind