Having a career and having a job are not one and the same thing. You see, a job is a 9 to 5 thing that you do in order to provide yourself with resources for your day-to-day needs. A career, on the other hand, is a purpose, a goal and a passion. Needless to say, the latter is far more fulfilling, rewarding and more worth your while. Still, choosing the right career path and threading steadily on it towards inevitable success is far from easy. Therefore, here are the top seven career tips you need to hear as soon as possible in order to get going.
1. Pick something you’re passionate about
Liking what you do is incredibly important, which is why the majority of experts (people who know this first-hand), will advise you to follow your passion. This will give you the energy and a competitive edge against others, due to the fact that you’re intrinsically motivated to try more. It will also help you learn the ropes more quickly, seeing as how you’ll have the ability to stay interested in the subject matter for far longer than your competitors.
2. Something that pays well
You also need to find work in the industry that pays well. Sure, having passion is great, however, you’re not bound to stay passionate for long if you realize that your career of choice can’t provide you with the lifestyle that you believe you deserve. By having this financial stability, you’ll not only sate your own needs but also take care of your friends and family in the best, most efficient manner possible.
3. You can’t afford to waste time
Patience is a virtue and a necessity but you need to know when you’re wasting time. You shouldn’t spend too much time in the workplace that doesn’t get you where you want to go. You need to keep in mind that about one million Australians change jobs on average once per year, while half of them change an entire career path. You needn’t be afraid to ask for a promotion or even a lateral move to a different position within the company if it will take you a step closer to where you want to be.
4. Learn how to look the part
They say that you need to dress for the job that you want, not the job that you have and this particular idea matters in so many different ways. You see, people make their first impression of you as soon as they meet you, which is why your non-personal communication, your apparel and your attitude make all the difference in the way in which others perceive you. In some business cultures (mostly in the Far East but in the West, as well), the quality of your business cards may speak volumes about your professionalism and your attention to details. You should never underestimate the power of theatricality on your career path.
5. Your personal life is more impactful than you think
Whether you’re well-rested, happy in a relationship, satisfied with your family life will affect your performance in the workplace. Still, you need to bear in mind that this is a two-way street, which is why the other way around is true, as well. This is why you need to pick something with a great work-life balance, something you’ll be able to do in the long run. Once you start seeing this as a chore and feel like you have to force yourself to go to work, building your career will become a lot more difficult.
6. Never stop self-improving
Sometimes you need to start by earning a degree that will allow you to start in the industry of choice. For instance, in order to start working in finance, you need to have at least a BA degree. Nonetheless, this is not where your education ends and you need to fully use the privilege of online learning to your benefit. Enlist on courses and try to sharpen your knowledge every single day. On this quest, the concept of microlearning is your friend and your greatest asset. One way to utilize it is to apply the 20/20/20 rule. This involves spending at least 20 minutes early in the morning learning a new skill.
7. Networking makes a difference
You need to keep in mind that your career advancement depends on people that you work with, which is why you need to start networking as soon as possible. In fact, it’s something that you have to do every single day. As Robert Brault once said, charisma is the knack for giving people your full attention. As soon as you start using it to your own benefit, you’ll start making progress on this path. Also, keep in mind that you never know whose help you’ll need in the future. So, just work your magic on everyone you meet.
Conclusion
You might have heard so many stories about eccentric CEOs and entrepreneurs, who dress, act and behave in a way that’s a lot different (even completely opposite) to what we’ve described. Still, this is a privilege that needs to be learned. First, you have to play by the rules. Then, once you become big enough, you can start bending them and making some rules of your own. Everything should be done in its own due time.
