- Take initiative.
- Be your own evaluator.
- Be ready to learn.
- Anticipate needs.
- Communicate well.
- Set goals to achieve.
- Show, don’t tell.
- Gain trust.
It takes a village to raise a child, according to an adage from Africa. The notion is that for young people to develop knowledge and flourish, they must engage with and form relationships with a variety of people. This is applicable to the workplace as well, particularly for early career professionals.
Building your own village early on in your career is one of the most crucial things you can do. We’re not referring to your college network, your LinkedIn friends, or the acquaintances you made briefly at a conference. Relationships that can speed up your path to a promotion, raise your profile within an organization, and push you outside of your comfort zone to become the leader you aspire to be are those that will have a significant long-term impact on your life.
As executive coaches, we have witnessed success emerge as a result of these connections over the course of our careers. In fact, we think that five relationships are essential for anyone’s career development. Think of them as your personal board of directors. You better start NOW because it will take time to develop lasting relationships with each.
The key ingredient to your career success | Janine Esbrand | TEDxWoking
Why is it important to find success in your career?
Success in your career has a number of positive effects on both your personal and professional life. Here are some justifications for why it’s critical to succeed at work:
21 tips to succeed in a career
Look for strategies to assist you in achieving your objectives as you progress in your career. The more goals you achieve, the greater success youll have. Here are 21 pointers to advance your career:
1. Choose the right career
Make sure you’ve chosen the right profession whether you’re just starting out in the workforce or have a successful career. Do you see yourself performing your job every day? Your career should reflect your personality, interests, and values.
Consider taking a self-assessment test that can match you to a career based on your responses to a series of questions if you’re unsure about the career you’ve chosen. You can also speak with a career counselor or conduct in-depth research on your own regarding a particular profession and its specifics, such as its responsibilities, pay, and employment outlook.
2. Make your own career choice
Regarding your career, your family and friends might have a lot of opinions. Even though it’s nice to hear their opinions, make sure the profession you choose will make you happy. Be sure to make the decision for yourself and not because someone else told you to. Your career needs to be a personal decision because it will impact your life for years to come, despite the best intentions of your friends or family.
3. Determine how you measure success
Everyone has a different definition when it comes to success. For instance, while some might define it in relation to the size of their paycheck, others might define it as the emotion they experience when their manager compliments them. Take the time to decide how you define success so you can more readily recognize it when you achieve it because your career success is determined by whether you have achieved your own career goals rather than those of others.
4. Own up to your mistakes
Despite your efforts to avoid them, mistakes are inevitable regardless of your experience. When you make a mistake, it’s crucial to accept responsibility for it and work to find a solution. To help you rebuild your reputation, spend the time necessary to minimize any negative effects and promptly correct your mistake.
5. Ask for help
Throughout your career, remember that it’s acceptable to ask for assistance. To advance in your career, look for someone who has more expertise than you in your field. Consult a seasoned coworker in your network who can serve as a mentor or source of advice on how to advance in your profession. If you haven’t started in your field of choice yet, ask a mentor for information about the career you’re thinking about. Having this guidance can make it easier for you to accomplish your objectives and ensure that you are on the right career path.
6. Reflect on your achievements
While having a strong support network is important, you should also be motivated by your own success. Consider your previous accomplishments. Instead of waiting for others to congratulate you, take ownership of your accomplishments and be proud of everything you have so far in your career. By doing this, you’ll be inspired to reach your subsequent success or objective.
7. Establish a strong work ethic
You must be prepared to put in the necessary effort and take the necessary steps to succeed if you want to succeed in your career. Work ethic is everything when it comes to advancing your career. You have a better chance of achieving your goals and being promoted throughout your career if you have a strong work ethic.
8. Stay positive
Keep a positive outlook even if you begin to doubt your ability to succeed in your career. Shut out any thoughts that can negatively impact your self-esteem. Instead, focus on what youre good at. Work on developing or learning the skills you lack or feel you need to acquire if you want to develop the optimistic outlook you seek. When you believe you can complete your work, it can lift your spirits and inspire you to work harder and accomplish your professional objectives.
9. Improve your skills
Even if you believe you do a good job, there is always room for improvement. Recognize your areas of need and be prepared to make the changes necessary to strengthen your areas of weakness. Make a commitment to developing your skills so that you can become a more valuable employee and asset to your company. Think about developing your skills by watching online tutorials, reading books, or enrolling in online or in-person classes.
10. Anticipate what your employer needs
Take into account what your manager and employer need before they say it to achieve greater success in your career. Consider, for instance, what you would want to happen next if you were in their shoes. When you anticipate their needs, you can provide for them before they even ask you for something. This demonstrates your initiative, which makes them more aware of your value to the company. They are more likely to promote you or acknowledge your accomplishments when they see your value, which can help you advance in your field.
11. Know you can change careers
When your current career isn’t giving you success or satisfaction, know that it’s okay to change. Although doing this essentially means switching careers, doing so might help you have more success in your career as a whole. Though there may be many reasons for you to stay in your current position, switching to one that you are more passionate about can make all the difference. Sometimes all it takes to help you reach your career goals is a change in careers.
12. Listen to those around you
It’s crucial to take the time to listen to those around you as a working professional. Pay close attention to anything your boss mentions, whether it’s about a project, campaign, or something unimportant. Actively listening ensures you dont miss any important information. Additionally, it facilitates social interaction at work.
13. Take initiative
While performing the tasks outlined in your job description is important, going above and beyond can help you advance in your career. Find ways to introduce fresh concepts, launch new initiatives, or open up new business opportunities. By showing your manager you have a can-do attitude, you can differentiate yourself from your coworkers by taking the initiative.
14. Evaluate your performance
Despite the frequent employee performance reviews that employers conduct, monitor your own performance. To evaluate your own performance, identify and set measurable goals. Then, set a timeline for achieving these goals. Assigning daily tasks that advance your long-term objectives will assist you in achieving them. Determine your accomplishments at the end of each week to see if you need to modify your approach to better meet your deadline. Getting feedback on how you’re doing can even inspire you to work harder and be more productive.
15. Identify your strengths
Consider your specific objectives as you progress in your career. Knowing your strengths can help you make the most of them, whether you’re a good problem solver or a creative thinker. Knowing your advantages also enables you to quickly adjust to changing work environments and problems as they appear. Additionally, being aware of your skills can help you select the ideal profession, setting you up for long-term success.
16. Embrace learning
Try to embrace learning new things if you want to succeed in your career. Even if you have a strong educational background, entering the workforce may present situations and challenges for which you are unprepared. Demonstrate to your manager or boss that you are coachable and eager to learn new techniques and tools. They are more likely to give you new responsibilities that will help you advance in your field once they see that you are eager to learn.
17. Actively communicate
Make sure you’re in constant contact with your team, your boss, and your coworkers regardless of your line of work. The more effectively you communicate with your manager, the less frequently they will need to check in with you to gauge your progress. Before moving on to your next task, take the time to let them know when you have finished your duties.
18. Grow your network
It’s crucial to surround yourself with people who inspire you to perform better if you want to succeed in your career. Make an effort to network with people in your industry to gain inspiration and learn about new opportunities. To meet people in your industry, think about going to conferences, workshops, or other networking events. Additionally, by using various social media platforms, you can expand your network. Your network can alert you to new job opportunities that can help you develop your skills while building your resume, in addition to keeping you informed of industry news and giving you helpful advice.
19. Use helpful feedback
Take advantage of any feedback you receive, whether it comes from a coworker or your manager. Feedback from someone with more knowledge or experience than you can be even more helpful. Try not to interpret feedback that doesn’t seem positive as criticism if they give it to you. Instead, put it to use to advance your career and develop your skills. Pay close attention to their feedback and decide whether it is accurate or useful.
20. Gain trust
It’s crucial to earn the respect of your coworkers and manager when starting a new job. If you choose the latter, your manager might be more likely to assign you tasks. These tasks give you the chance to demonstrate your work ethic and abilities. By earning their trust right away, you can reassure them that you have the skills necessary to succeed in your new role and advance in the years to come.
21. Find solutions
When a problem arises, try to resolve it without consulting your manager. Instead of creating problems, create solutions. Present your manager with various options if you lack the authority to implement your solution, and do your best to assist them in finding a solution.
FAQ
What is success in a career?
Career success is traditionally defined as “achieving a reasonable level of financial stability while doing work you enjoy and then discovering that you are also happy and fulfilled with your life and career choices as well.”
Why is having a successful career important?
A successful career will provide you with a wealth of advantages and genuinely lucrative opportunities. Working your way up the corporate ladder will undoubtedly enhance your quality of life because we live in a society that is driven by social status and wealth. There are numerous reasons why someone might want to succeed.
What are 7 things needed to be successful in a career?
- Be willing to work hard. …
- Set goals. …
- Get a mentor. …
- Surround yourself with successful people. …
- Set a routine. …
- Have regular check-ins with yourself. …
- Always keep improving.
