What career advice would you give to your younger self?

These are the words which I asked myself and a few other peers across Advertising, Finance, Hospitality and Architecture.

Interestingly enough, there was one outstanding theme that kept surfacing in the pool of feedback: not limiting yourself.

Here are words of guidance and encouragement to anyone kicking off brand new jobs or are in early stages of their career journey.

Career Advice #1: Get Savvy On Financial Matters

Enjoy your earnings, you’ve worked for it.

But also: be prudent. Set a portion aside for a rainy day. Life is unpredictable and having an emergency fund is important.

If your company has a retirement savings scheme, be sure to enroll in it. The option will be included in the god-awful stack of papers – sorry, in the induction pack – that HR presents to you on Day 1. If they offer a matching scheme, maximise that benefit.

Learn about the stock market and various financial instruments. Invest slowly.

Career Advice #2: Keep Setting New Goals

Congratulations, you’ve landed your first job! You’ve made it. Made your first step, that is. Stay pumped up and don’t you dare get docile now.

Continue to develop yourself in distinct ways. Take advantage of all learning resources provided by your employer. Engage diligently with folks from other departments and learn how their various functions fit into the big picture.

Then, go see more, do more! Don’t park your career in a cul-de-sac.

Get the experience of working in different types of companies – be part of large companies and get a feel for the corporate environment, join a start-up and get the experience of operating in a small environment.

You’ll have a preference and you’ll never know with full confidence which one is yours unless you try.

Also Read: Your Career Should be the Ultimate Treasure Hunt

And, very importantly, as you prepare to make each new move, learn or brush up on negotiation tactics. It impacts your earning potential in the long-term. 

Career Advice #3: Differentiate Yourself

Have you heard the term Unique Selling Proposition with regard to a product? It is a strategic concept that you should also consider for yourself and your personal brand.

If we apply the concept to humans, it simply means: what makes you stand out from the crowd?

Hone a niche talent within the sphere of your role, become the subject matter expert, team guru, or perhaps you prefer the title: Local Rockstar.

Career Advice #4: Network, Network, Network

Start building your professional network immediately. As a start, convert email exchanges to face-to-face interactions where possible.

As you establish new contacts, be consistent in your relationship-building efforts.

Connections can and will open doors to new and exciting opportunities in the future but like all aspects of your career, you’ve got to put in the work.

Career Advice #5: Channel Passion Into Your Career

When we are inspired, we put forth our best effort. This begs the question: can you blend a passion into your career?

For example, perhaps you are dedicated to community volunteer work. If the organisation that you’ve joined does not have an established employee volunteer program, why not explore the possibility of building such an initiative?

Do your research and from there, set out a clear and concise summary of your ideas in the form of a proposal, and deliver it to internal stakeholders.

Being the innovative mind and motivation behind a successful initiative will also be a great way to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack.

Career Advice #6: Rise Above Disappointments and Setbacks

Growth and success await you. And when it comes, it will be sweet. But it will not be all triumph and glory. Setbacks and disappointment also await. 

When you don’t get your expected outcome, allow yourself to feel the disappointment.

Acknowledge whether the new outcome is better than the one you were targeting – keeping an open and positive mindset will always reap its rewards.

If the result is not better, strive to understand what went wrong so that you can figure out how to circumvent issues in the future. 

Where you fall short of expected performance, acknowledge the shortcoming gracefully and take accountability.

Don’t allow the emotion of the moment to cloud your mind nor sully your behaviour.

Reflect and think about what went wrong just long enough to learn from it, but not too long to allow it to diminish your spirit and drive. 

Also read: 6 Career Mistakes That are Easy to Make. And Avoid.

Always remember my friends, this is the start of a career journey. You have a long road ahead of you and ultimately, it’s yours to navigate along the route you choose.

And, at the pace that you prefer.

Some of us like to travel quickly and pack in as many adventures possible along the way.

Some of us like to go slower and assume a steadier pace.

What will you decide for yourself?