Career success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It is rather different for different people. That’s for sure. What advice will work for one individual or even their stint at a particular company will not necessarily work for another at another organisation.
Yet there are certain truths of career success that are universal to all. Yes, they apply to one and all regardless of position you seek, your background, skills and educational qualifications too.
It’s time to look at these career truths because it may challenge long-held notions about looking for a job but it will help you to become more realistic in what you have to expect.
3 Truths About Career Success
Regardless of whether you’d like to hear them or not, there are certain truths to career success that hold true until this day.
Here are 5 of these truths about career success:
1: Graduating from school is when your education actually begins
Whether these are good or bad economic times, looking to study further in order to advance your professional and industry knowledge qualifications. This involves participating in activities such as reading trade journals, pursuing certifications as well as attending seminars too. Whatever you do, you have to remain current at your line of work as no company will want to hire a candidate whose intellectual capital is rather stale.
Not doing this will result in taking risks with your career that you just can’t afford. Without a doubt, ensure you continue to build your intellectual capital that will make you more marketable and attractive as a candidate. Two of the greatest assets you have to offer are both intellectual resources and knowledge in a tough economy too.
2: An employer’s first offer is never their best
Most employers expect dynamic negotiations with potential employees and which translates to also expecting these candidates to have done their salary research too. In some case, they tend to be disappointed if you do not negotiate your salary as well. Of course, don’t be fooled by the tough times we live in and take just any salary offered.
Just remember that employers usually begin with a low salary just to see your reactions. No matter what, there’s always room for improvement on the first compensation offer and this is despite having to look for a job in a tight job market. So, if you do not negotiate, you will be leaving a lot of money on the table as a result.
3: Networking isn’t as important as you think
Networking is far more important than you can imagine. In fact, it is advised that you spend time every week to engage in active networking that will help you to not only establish relationships but also build new ones as a result. This is both at the company you work at or even outside.
Doing so will leverage the contacts that you have especially when the need arises too. So, it is important to make time for your career and networking activities throughout the week, month and year. Make sure you keep your contact database updated both during good economic times as well as bad.
In Closing…
Without a doubt, if you follow these career truths, it will go a long way in helping you to climb the corporate ladder in no time. At the very least, you will stay gainfully employed and satisfied with your career.
So, do you have any other secrets to achieve career success? If so, feel free to share them in the comments section below.