Single best piece of career advice you ever received?

[Anonymous]

Everyone is replaceable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wait, there are multiple posters whose best "career" advice is to marry rich? WTF?

Yep. That's the best career advice in the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a timely thread. My youngest daughter is entering the career field in 2021, as she plans to graduate in December. She told me she wishes she had more real-world advice. I’m thinking I’ll buy her the parachute book, but I’m open to recommendations for more contemporary/helpful books to get her started. She doesn’t know what she doesn’t know.

Always be interviewing/networking

Job hop for money don't stay at a place for more than 2 years if you aren't promoted

She will most likely have 6 careers and 12+ jobs during her working years

[Anonymous]

Ask questions if you don’t know the answer! It makes you appear more confident.

[Anonymous]

Don't blindside your boss.

[Anonymous]

Focus most energy on improving your skills/growth in areas you already show strength in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

I have heard this for years but the truth is sometimes you can overdress for your role and just look ridiculous. Better to step up your dress and look polished.

I’m just going to go full Captain Marvel for my next interview.

[Anonymous]

Work smart, not hard.

[Anonymous]

The best advice I ever got was to find a subject you would study and practice for its own sake and pursue that, because you will become an expert and succeed.

[Anonymous]

Don't get a master's degree unless you know what you want to do with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be loyal to the company, they will not be loyal to you
Old boys club is not a myth
Perception matters

Work hard: this will not get you promoted

Learn a skill others don't have, don't share that knowledge
Don't outshine your master
Keep a critical mind
People do not say what they mean, or mean what they say
Keep your private life private

^100% accurate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich [person] as a poor [person]. This is not advice I followed but in retrospect, wish I had.

I love this one, and initially thought it was silly. But, over time, I see it has merit.

[Anonymous]

In MBA classes they often said "Don't ask a question at work unless you already know the answer". And if you don't know the answer, work and research more until you do. Easier said than done, but the best advice anyone ever gave me.

[Anonymous]

In a corporate environment: This is not the emergency room.

(Of course, if you work in the emergency room, disregard this!)

Also, HR is not there for employees, they work for the company. Do not consider them a confessional.

Also, when negotiating your salary for the first time, $5k is not a lot to a company but it is a lot for you. Always negotiate something. At least ask.

[Anonymous]

A work mentor once told me to keep my plans to myself. Don’t go broadcast what promotion you’re going after or share with others when you have a one-on-one meeting with a higher up or whatever. Basically just stay out of the gossip mill and let your peers think you’re unassuming, but keep on making moves in private.