Reply to For those who "made it" career wise, what is your advice?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Three pieces of advice that I think are applicable to all (most?) career tracks:

1. Recognize that *you* brings specific skills to the table. You have specific value. You do not need to be like everyone else to be successful, you need to be the best version of you that you can be. Focus on your strengths and work towards constantly improving in those areas. Don’t ignore your weak areas, but do understand that you will never be able to improve on your weaknesses as much as you can bolster your strengths.

2. Understand that it’s okay to say “let me consider some options and get back to you” or “I’m not completely sure about that, let me confirm and follow up” and then actually follow up. Almost every powerful person I have ever worked with would much rather have someone quiet that they can trust to be accurate and dependable than some blowhard who always has a quick response.

3. Network. Every job I’ve had since my first I got because I knew someone. Build and maintain your network as if it’s part of your job. [/quote]

Those are fabulous advices. Thank you!

If you (or anyone) have tips on how to network, that'll be greatly appreciated too. [/quote]

I am the original poster of the 3 pieces of advice and just randomly saw this had been revived.

The networking question is a good one. I find networking to be really hard - I hate asking people to talk to me/do things for me. But I did not network when I was starting out and when it came time to make my first big job switch I had no idea how to do it. Building my first network was long and painful, so every time it would be easier to let my network lapse, I remind myself how much work it was to build! Start by asking someone you respect out for coffee. Ask them about themselves, how the got into their field, how they knew what they wanted to do, what they are most energized by, what challenges them the most. This seems weird, but I promise - people love to share their stories and pass on wisdom. At the end of the meeting, ask if they would be willing to connect you with someone else who (fill in the blank). They will. And then repeat with that person.

Ways to keep it going: be sure to send thank you emails after meetings. Follow up a few times a year with an article you think they’d find interesting or an introduction to someone you think could benefit their network or an invitation to a work event (happy hour, etc.). And pay it forward. [/quote]

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