The Watercooler

The Job Advice You Wish You Had Years Ago

Whether you’re new to the world of work or well down your chosen career path, sound advice is always valuable. Today, our employment experts share their best job advice and career management tips for anyone who has – or wants – a job:

 

Venture beyond your comfort zone.

Are you great at what you do? Have you mastered your job? Then it’s time to shake things up. If you want to level up in your career:

  • Ask for stretch assignments: responsibilities that challenge you and require you to learn new things.
  • Volunteer for the tough jobs nobody else wants to take on.
  • Pursue training opportunities on your own (and do it on your own time).

When your boss sees that you welcome challenges and are comfortable with being a little uncomfortable, you’ll earn a reputation as an invaluable asset – and be top of mind when a growth opportunity arises.

 

Own your achievements.

Whether you’re preparing for a review, aiming for a promotion, or searching for a new job, you must walk the fine line between highlighting your accomplishments – and outright bragging. You need to show your boss (or potential employer) all the great things you’ve achieved without coming across as an egomaniac. In this post, we explain how to master the art of “humble bragging.”

 

Own your mistakes, too.

Mistakes on the job can have serious consequences for you, your boss, and even your company. But if you handle those mistakes the right way, you can turn a misstep into a steppingstone for your career.

If you’ve made a serious error that can’t be easily remedied:

  • Immediately brainstorm possible solutions, so you’ll appear proactive and responsible when you approach your boss.
  • Take responsibility for the mistake. Never point fingers.
  • Explain what happened and what you plan to do about it. Ask for help in executing your solution if you need it.
  • Finally, demonstrate that you’ve learned from your mistake.

Keep your technology skills up to date.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that technology is essential in every field and industry. Force yourself to keep your tech skills current, even if new developments don’t seem directly related to your current position. Otherwise, you may find yourself left in the dust with a huge knowledge gap to overcome.

 

Keep your eyes on the horizon.

Stay abreast of the trends that are shaping careers in your part of the world of work: read, attend webinars, learn everything you can about your competitors. Never rely on your employer to do that for you. The more you know about what’s around the next corner, the better prepared you’ll be to adapt to changes in your career or industry.

 

Develop your resilience.

Throughout your career, you’ll experience periods of uncertainty. And no matter how carefully you plan, you’re likely to encounter a few setbacks, whether personally or professionally. If you plan accordingly and view setbacks as learning experiences, you’ll bounce back quicker. Make yourself more resilient by:

  • Keeping your LinkedIn profile and resume up to date
  • Nurturing your professional network
  • Periodically affirming your strengths and addressing your weaknesses
  • Developing specific, achievable, and measurable goals for your career
  • Monitoring your career progress to identify (and remove) what’s holding you back
  • Building some flexibility into your career plans
  • Maintaining a positive attitude even when work gets tough

 

Need more sound advice for your career or job search?

  • Read our Watercooler blog regularly. It’s full of timely insights and practical ideas to help you find a great job or advance your career.
  • Apply with PrideStaff. With job opportunities and valuable career guidance, we’re a great place to start your search for work and ultimately find the job you want. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities.