Career Tips for Young Professionals
Here's what I've found most useful five years into my post-college career.
Okay, I probably should’ve written this earlier, but I couldn’t help myself from rambling about finances and fables - I will get back to those things, so keep your seatbelts on.
Today I’m going to share some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned so far in my professional career. Some might be obvious and generic to those who have been working for a while, but I’ll try to offer my own unique perspective nonetheless.
I’m learning to tighten up my writing (especially since I’m working in the nonfiction space), so let’s jump right into the mini-sections.
You Need to be Technical
There was a time where businesses ran on conversations and handshakes, and people could make a pretty great living without being able to use little more than basic computer functions, phones, and pencils & paper. I regret to inform you that those days are mostly coming to an end.
At the very least, you need to be comfortable working with technologies that are specific to your profession. Influencers are going to need to understand social media algorithms, how to make compelling videos, and how to edit imagery. Office workers need to know the Microsoft Outlook Suite. Engineers likely need to know CAD software. You get the deal.
The world has become increasingly digital, so you MUST research and understand the technologies and technical skills that are most relevant to your profession. If you make the extra effort to learn the “hot new thing” in your field, you’ll be ahead of the pack and be able to command a higher pay rate along with better employment prospects.
Being technical means that you know your chops when it comes to the tools, technologies, and techniques required to perform in your role. Personality typically can’t compensate for lack of competence, especially in highly competitive fields.
Specialize
You need to develop competency in a very specific niche to stand out in today’s labor market. Your best bet is to become good at a specific skillset in a specific type of industry, and be at “LinkedIn Level” visibility for your domain expertise.
Labeling yourself as a “Lawyer” is too unspecific for today’s market. You should be more pointed in conveying that you’re an “Estate Planning Attorney” or “Divorce Lawyer” because of how vast the field is. In sports, this might look like telling people that you are a Point Guard for a certain basketball team rather than just stating that you’re a “Baller” and leaving it at that. If you’re a musician, tell people whether you’re an R&B singer, rapper, classical pianist, or whatever specific skill you’re most adept in. There’s little room for ambiguity when communicating value to others effectively.
It also takes years to become even remotely competent at hard things, and professionals know this, so don’t be dishonest about what you can and can’t do. If you have skill gaps, just tell them that you’re a little rusty or want to learn more about whatever niche they’re in. Most people will understand this if you present well.
Politics and Networking Matter
Companies aren’t run by the most intelligent people in the world, they’re run by the most well-connected; this is especially true for large corporations that have wide-scale public influence.
Whether we like it or not, the ability to make friends and understand how other people work is paramount to being able to make it in leadership positions. Lots of very intelligent people usually specialize in technical roles, but if they aren’t interested in the social aspect of success, they’re usually capped out at senior level production roles.
Lots of companies are looking for “high EQ” individuals who can present themselves well, give a firm handshake, practice empathy, hold interesting conversations, and positively contribute to the culture.
Make sure to be more than a bookworm if you want to end up in a leadership role, because involvement in the community and personal connections are where the real opportunities arise. Things like sports leagues, professional clubs, and fraternal organizations are where people make lifelong friends and business colleagues. These organizations are great ways to make real connections in environments where folks don’t have their guard up.
People who figure out how to work with others get much further than those who go the path alone.
Play Your Position
When I first started in the working world, I thought I knew a lot more than I really did. I did have solid experience for someone my age, but I didn’t really understand the “corporate ladder” or corporate politics too well, so I often tried to go above and beyond on things to prove my ability to my those who were in senior positions.
Being a “go getter” is great, but you’re usually not taken too seriously in the corporate world until you’ve been in there for quite some time. If you have crazy ambition, use that to work on your own personal stuff (fitness, writing, pet projects, stock research, social life, etc.). Tell your senior leaders that you want to promote up, but don’t try to infringe on other people’s responsibilities. Most people in traditional corporate are there as a means to an end, so by overstepping your defined role you can be seen as the “try hard nuisance” that is playing teacher’s pet with management.
Plus, by taking on a ton of projects that are outside of your scope, you turn yourself into the “free labor” person - leadership can figure out that you’re willing to take on a bunch of new responsibilities for no additional pay. If you don’t have an ownership stake, stick to your defined responsibilities and play along with what the people who are paying you want (within reason).
Don’t be lazy or difficult to work with, but realize that an eager beaver can cause a dam to collapse.
Basketball analogy: the big man keeps trying to bring the ball up the court and forcing turnovers instead of giving the ball to a guard.
Football analogy: The slot receiver runs sideways and backwards to try to juke everyone on the defense, but ends up getting tackled for a loss.
Learn to play your position in these environments, and save your immense creativity for elsewhere unless it’s called upon.
Have an Interesting Personal Life
Jobs will replace you before the day of your funeral takes place, so being the person who brags about working all the time (for a company you don’t own) makes you look like a tool. Work to the best of your ability, then leave when the day is done unless there’s a drop dead urgent deadline.
Play sports, watch sports, go outside, go on dates, learn an instrument, travel, hike, etc. Being an interesting and curious person gets you way further in life than drowning in the Kool-Aid.
Care About Money
It’s a recurring theme on this page, but you make sure you save, invest, and keep a budget. I’ve written about this extensively, so I won’t keep beating the drum. Check my other posts for financial guidance.
In the case that you unexpectedly lose a job or the economy takes a turn, you want to have protections in place so you’re not forced to make any moves out of desperation. Lots of people spend every paycheck to “keep up with the Joneses” then end up having to sell their assets on the cheap when hardship hits because they need the money to stay afloat.
Notice how economic cycles work; whenever the market corrects or crashes, the wealthy buy up assets at low valuations, then enjoy appreciation over time (and as the central bank prints money to “stimulate” the economy).
The Conclusion
Work hard, be easy to work with, and keep having a good time! Life’s too short to be miserable.
Jared
All great advice!