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Many of us spend a fair amount of time considering what we’d like to do when we retire – where we’ll move, the vacations we’ll take, or what the second stage of our career might look like once we no longer have to work a nine-to-five job. But it’s important to spend even more time considering how you can best launch career – whether you’re an entry-level employee, a transitioning service member, or a mid-career professional looking to take yourself to the next level.
Many careers fizzle around the fifteen year mark – maybe you’ve made a transition you regret, you’re stuck in a dead end job with a boss you hate, or you’re just confused about what step to take. These tips apply to you, as much as they do to the recent graduate. Keep them in mind and empower your career for an impressive take off.
1. Master the art of networking.
This is critically important for every professional. You can have the best skills out there, but if you don’t have the network to back it up, you won’t get job offers and you won’t be considered for new opportunities. You need an online network, and an in-person network. Check out industry events, and join relevant associations to stay in-the-know about events in your profession.
2. Find a mentor.
Think about what the next stage of your career looks like, and then find a person working within that realm to help you. Your mentor can be inside your own company, but it isn’t likely to be your boss – he or she has a bottom line to keep in mind, and a different professional role in your career. Keep in mind that you can keep a mentor at every stage of your career progression – from college, up to the boardroom. But that mentor probably won’t be the same. As your role and aspirations change, seek our new leaders who can help lead you to success. A mentor should be candid, competent, and someone you legitimately want to be with. But don’t expect them to come to you – you’re going to have to be bold and make the ask. Offering to buy lunch once a month helps.
3. Have a 60-day plan.
You’ve likely heard of five-year and ten-year plans. It’s also very likely you’ve been asked about yours in an interview. Equally – or perhaps even more important if you’re new on the job or a job seeker – is the 60-day plan. What do you want to accomplish in the next two months? The moment you take on a new job or start looking for new positions, you need to establish some quick turn-around goals. These should be things you can do to make a good impression, accomplish a significant task, and truly show your boss and co-workers what you’re capable of.
4. Establish your office reputation.
First impressions are critical. Within a week or two on a new job, your coworkers and employers will try to peg you. Whether you’re a funny guy or a family man, the diligent worker or the annoying question-asker in meetings, opinions are being formed. We often think we don’t have much say in other people’s judgments about us, but the fact is – we have a lot of control. Rule number one for your first few weeks in a new career path is to be a great listener. Soak up as much as you can from everyone around you – and then bring your unique skills to the table.
