This is the BEST career advice that I would give my younger self. Sharing the top career advice: valuable lessons learned, mistakes to avoid, and tips for achieving your professional goals! A few of these I’ve learned the hard way and the others would’ve gotten me to where I am much quicker.
As a 32 year old Marketing Director- this is the advice I wish someone would told me years ago ☺️
Career Advice for Women
1. Dress for the Job You Want, Not the One You Have: You look good, you feel good. It’s true. First impressions matter, and looking professional shows respect, confidence, and yes, ambition. Don’t break the bank, but invest in clothes that make you feel polished and put-together. You’ll radiate success (and maybe land that promotion faster). My favorite Amazon Finds Here!
2. Passion+Skills = Reality: Passion drives our goals and aspirations, but skills are the foundation that makes it a reality. Yes, love your work, but make sure you have the skills to excel. Invest in learning, training, and building diverse skillsets. Remember, passion without skills is just a pretty picture – useless for actually driving a career forward. Figure out what your passion is and invest learning valuable skills.
3. You are the culture. Stop complaining about being in a toxic workplace if you’re not contributing goodness. In order to create and be around an amazing culture, you have to BE the culture. I get it..there are terrible workplaces with terrible energy and sometimes that it’s difficult to escape. At the end of the day- it starts with us. I talk about falling into ‘victim mentality’ here.
4. Continue Learning. The moment you have the mindset that ‘you’ve arrived’ is the moment you stop growing. Continuous learning is essential for personal and professional growth. Don’t allow yourself to fall into stagnation. I read books and listen to podcasts to grow in leadership and elevate my mindset. (I’ve linked my favorites below) Here’s a blog post where I talk about the best books to read for Career women!
5.There is no Failure: You’re either winning or you’re learning. Buckle up, because stumbles and setbacks are inevitable. But the good news? They’re also powerful learning experiences. Don’t let failures define you. Analyze what went wrong, bounce back with a plan, and use the experience to strengthen your skills and resilience. Remember, every successful person has a list of setbacks behind them.
6. Achieving Work-Life Balance: You CAN : I think this can be a sticky subject when you’re ‘climbing the corporate ladder’, but the hustle culture 24-7 is a recipe for burnout. Prioritize your well-being. Take breaks, create healthy habits building the person you want to become- that will allow you to show up as your best self later on. A healthy and happy you is a more productive and successful you. You want to show up as your best self- prioritizing your day can help with this! Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Give your best every where your feet are. A balanced life allows for clearer thinking and better decision-making, leading to more effective work outcomes.
7. Feedback is a Gift! OH MY GOSH. I wish I would’ve caught on earlier to this. Don’t flinch at constructive criticism. See it as a roadmap to improvement. Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and use the feedback to hone your skills and become the best version of yourself professionally. Remember, even the most accomplished individuals seek and utilize feedback regularly.
8. Stop Trying to Be a Boss, Be a Leader Instead: Leadership is about inspiring, guiding, and empowering others. Bossing is about barking orders and overwhelming power. Ditch the control freak tendencies and focus on building trust, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the team’s success. Remember, true leaders inspire, not intimidate. Create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. True leaders lift others up, not just themselves.
9. Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination: Your career path is rarely a straight line. There will be detours, unexpected opportunities, and maybe even the occasional U-turn. Don’t be afraid to explore new options, pivot directions, and embrace the unknown. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes the most rewarding journeys are the ones you never planned. Sometimes not being so focused on the END goal allows you to be exactly where you desire in the END.
10. Be in competition with yourself- not anyone else: Remember, you are your own best asset, so invest in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve.
. Below I’ve added a few of my favorite books that have helped me along the way to become a better leader, motivated me to grow inwardly, elevate my mindset and LOVE my career!
Shop Books for Women Here!
