As the definitive source for all things related to young professional life, we like to think we have learned a thing or two about what it takes to get ahead in the business world. Success rarely happens by fluke; it requires tools, strategy and dedication to take your career from good to great. Behold our top 4 tips to progress your career:
Go Above and Beyond
As Dragon’s Den’s Brett Wilson told us earlier this year, “If someone in the workplace ever said ‘that’s not my job’, I would suggest that be the end of the job they thought they had.” In the workplace, people are going to notice (even if they pretend not to) if you routinely stay late and arrive early, take on extra projects and challenges. Going beyond your scope of work does not necessarily mean more work. One Toronto YP peer quickly caught the attention of higher ups when each day she would email a link to a relevant news or general interest story to coworkers, which was in some way related to their industry. Standing out, of course, also involves making a lasting impression so that people remember you the minute they discover your business card in their wallet. This means everything from eye contact, handshakes, posture and dress to the ability to maintain an engaging conversation.
Network, Network, Network
Our cities are filled with YP-oriented events and opportunities to expand professional networks, with a hot-ticket charity or networking event seemingly every week. Take advantage. It’s not all who you know, but let’s be honest, that’s a lot of it. Even if fellow young professionals belong to professions seemingly unrelated to yours, make an effort to meet and interact with other notables in your city who are doing great things and gaining influence in their respective industries. You never know when opportunities for collaboration, new clients, cross-promotion or new projects may arise. Seize moments and opportunities to interact and brainstorm. Set up informational meetings with other YPs, whether with seasoned professionals with experienced brains to pick or with up-and-comers to watch for.
Keep Learning and Growing
It’s important not to lose sight of the limitless mentality we had post-graduation in terms of future opportunities, places we’d go and things we would create. Don’t stop taking risks, pushing personal limits and challenging yourself. Just because things have finally panned out the way you wanted them to, don’t get caught in professional comfort zones. As Wayne Gretzky stressed during his Toronto visit, strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of the prime years of your career. Keep the momentum going and don’t become lazy or stagnant. The most successful people never stop learning and improving themselves as assets in their field. This can range from going back to school to complete an MBA or taking a course at a local college to attending conferences and other industry events, or something as simple as reading industry-specific publications and business books.
Have a Mentor
Some of the most successful young professionals credit their career success and confidence to the presence of a mentor. Countless successful business ventures are the product of past trial and error and a mentor provides the opportunity to learn from their mistakes, successes and failures; first-hand knowledge better than any textbook can offer. Having a mentor can refine skills essential to making a mark in the career world, such as increased confidence, increased productivity, increased motivation and accountability and development of your professional network. In addition to the motivation their success provides, a mentor offers sometimes-needed feedback not always available from busy bosses, including words of encouragement and praise as well as constructive criticism.
The importance of these four pillars is echoed in the sentiments of the countless wave-making young professionals and young entrepreneurs we profile…and they must be doing something right.