Oh there are many more than five things you could do – or refuse to do – that can damage your career. But here are five that in today’s economy, I believe are critically important to every Finance Executive.

1. Buy into the (self)hype that you are invincible and irreplaceable
2. Become unemployed
3. Undervalue networking
4. Be invisible
5. Plaster the job boards with your resume
You can read my thoughts on each “worst thing” in the June issue of Futures in Finance.
The latest Execunet Executive Job Market Intelligence Report says senior executive transitions are averaging 5.7 months. From where I sit, it makes sense to plan on 9 months. Which means, about a year before you think you are ready to make a move, a savvy Finance Chief will already be executing good career management strategies towards the goal of moving on and moving up. And a truly savvy Finance Executive will make good career management habits an ongoing exercise.