Spring is here and graduations are plentiful from high schools and colleges – so I polled a few people with very successful careers. I wanted to hear about what their advice is to launch a career for people just starting out today. Since the advice is varied, there may be something for any new graduate to consider.
Adviser #1:
In my view there is no such thing as a job, being employed is a paid job search. A job is how you improve your resume for your next job at a higher level. When you are evaluating a position, never look at the current pay, perks, or anything except how a potential job will look on your resume to future employers. Or, how will this position prepare you to advance to a higher level. This is my best advice to new graduates: it is better to be a manager at a fast food restaurant than to take a menial task at a higher pay that is in a large cubicle farm where it does not lead to further opportunity.
Adviser #2:
You should do a lot of preparation to find the best company in your industry and target how you are going to get hired by them. An industry leader is likely to be very profitable and so they’ll have more money available for support, training, technology, etc. along with higher salaries and benefits than any of their competitors. If you cannot start with them, then find the paths this company uses to recruit so you can align with them and get hired.
Adviser #3:
Always be learning and it won’t matter where you work. No matter where you work there will be new trends, technologies, and disruptive competitors. An employee that learns best will become increasingly invaluable when he or she is an expert in many important elements for the company. Yes, it will take a while for you to be noticed, and yes, your salary will always lag behind how much you contribute, but sooner or later, as it is recognized, you will move up sharply in both rank and salary.
Adviser #4:
Immediately get a side gig for income so you’re never financially dependent on a single employer. I have several freelance jobs that have led to full-time job offers. It has never been easier or more acceptable to find freelance assignments or other online work that you can do on the side. Several of my friends have a blog where they show off their work skills to get jobs, others are Uber drivers, there is always a way to have a side gig. Side work helps your finances but is also important as a potential career-building avenue that regular employees don’t have.
Adviser #5:
After I discovered I had an aptitude for sales, I made a great career of it. But if I were to start over and talk to my younger self, I would have gone straight for my dream company in my dream industry. I should have gone to their front door and said, “I’ll do anything – empty trash cans, park cars, work night shifts, unpaid internship, anything to get my foot in the door so that I can show you that I belong here.” I recommend that you go straight for your dream, and pay any price to get there, so you don’t look back later with regret.