Career Advice for the Aspiring Professional

Building a strong and successful career today is different than it was decades ago. People define success very differently and it can be quite overwhelming, especially for first time job seekers.

Everybody has something to say about what they believe success should look like, but as an individual, you need to be focused on what it means to you, so you can create a plan that will help you achieve it.  Whether it means owning a fancy car, living in a mansion, getting a fat paycheck, or having the liberty to do what you want on your own terms, it is completely up to you. 

Now, while success may be different for everyone, the things that will help you get there will be similar to what others have been doing. If you are unsure of how to achieve success in your career, here are some of the best advice from experts that can help you:

1. Set the Right Goals

The first thing you need to figure out when planning for success is to set the right goals because just like driving a car, you need to know your destination before you begin your journey. Otherwise, you will end up driving with no direction and you may even get lost. 

Follow a goal setting framework like setting SMART goals – goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This framework will help you create a solid plan that you can take step by step until you reach your goals.

2. Plan for Everything

You can never go wrong with being prepared and the same principle applies to building your career. Make sure you plan for everything, the success, the failures, and everything in between. 

Brainstorm for different ways you can achieve your goals and try them out to see what works best for you. Be flexible in planning for the future and anticipate unexpected events so you will be prepared to face anything as you achieve success.

3. Assess Yourself and Your Progress

Take time every now and then to sit down and reflect on yourself. Assess yourself – your strengths and weaknesses, and figure out how you can use them to your advantage. Look at where you are in your plan for success and use your strengths and weaknesses to determine what the next steps should be. 

Maybe you need to learn a new skill, get more experience, or try a different approach – anything that will help you move forward. Aside from helping you get closer to your goals, this will also help you get the motivation you need to keep moving forward! 

4. Build Your Network

There are plenty of opportunities that come from knowing the right people. Build your network of peers, colleagues, and mentors who can provide you with support and open doors to new opportunities. 

Do not pass up on opportunities to network with people in the industry. This will allow you to stay updated on things related to your line of work, create meaningful relationships with people in the same industry, and build your reputation along the way.

5. Develop a Growth Mindset

Building a successful career can be challenging in many ways. You need to develop a growth mindset to be able to accommodate the opportunities that come your way together with the challenges that come with the journey. 

Always be open to new opportunities that will move you forward in your career. Do not let mistakes and failures stop you from learning and growing! 

6. Practice Accountability

Successful people are accountable for themselves and their actions. Instead of finding something or someone to blame, they own every situation and work towards a solution. 

Practice accountability in all aspects of your life, no matter how big or small the situation may be. Do not let emotions get the best of you and be an accountable professional to succeed in your chosen career.

7. Seek Mentorship

You will never learn everything about what you do and where you’re going, but that doesn’t mean you should navigate your career blindly. Seek mentorship and have someone you can trust by your side to help you learn what is needed to get to the next level. 

Leverage the knowledge and experience of those who have been in the industry before you. The best way to learn is through other people!

8. Continue Working on Your Skills

No matter how much of an expert you already are in one thing, there will always be something you still need to learn. Continue working on your skills – the ones you already have and new ones that can open more doors for you. 

Stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry so you can pivot as needed. Gather resources you can use, take online courses, attend conferences, and learn as much as you can! 

9. Be Receptive to Constructive Criticism

Feedback is critical to your development as a professional. Whether you receive feedback from customers, peers, or bosses, make sure you are receptive and you are not taking it personally. 

Take note of the feedback you receive, reflect on it, and develop an action plan to work on it. Improve what you can so you can get better at what you do.

10. Take Care of Yourself

All your knowledge, skills, and experiences will not matter if you are not in shape to carry out your duties and responsibilities. Part of building a successful career is to take care of yourself and make sure that you are looking after your mental and physical health too. 

Put effort into developing healthy eating habits, make sure you get enough exercise, and do not forget to take a break from time to time. Rest is important to be able to function well! 

Do not get overwhelmed by how much work is needed to achieve the success you want to have in life. Take it one step at a time, keep your focus, and stay consistent so you can keep moving forward towards your end goal. 

Impactable can help you make sure you get started the right way. We have training programmes that can help you learn skills you can use to get hired for jobs you want to have. 

Sign up for an Impactable account today.