Practical Advice for Early Career Professionals

If you’re a recent college graduate or early career professional, you may be feeling overwhelmed as you look to start your career. The amount of information available to you may be similar to “drinking through a fire hose,” but don’t worry; everything will start to slow down eventually.

When looking for advice as it pertains to your career, you might not even know where to start. It seems like everyone has a say in how you should progress along your career, but that advice seems to be more generalized and might not pertain exactly to your career. Because of this, you might find yourself falling down an “advice black hole” and finding random tidbits from every corner of the Internet.

If you’re about to set off on your career journey or are already in the early stages, the best kind of advice you can seek is practical advice. These lessons are often not taught in the classroom, but rather through life experiences. In an article for Forbes, Dana Brownlee offers up 10 top career advice tips for those in this demographic. You can read the full article here.

Build Relationships Before You Need Them

A common misconception about networking is that you’re only supposed to network when you need a new job. This couldn’t be further from the truth. You should be networking throughout your career, because you never know where a connection or relationship can lead.

When going to networking events, you can usually easily distinguish the difference between those trying to expand their network and those solely looking for a new opportunity. While these conversations can certainly lead to new opportunities, networking is a two-way street and should be beneficial for both parties. If you’re only talking to people because you need something, that is usually pretty apparent in your discussion and can close doors before ever having the chance to open them.

Developing relationships with other industry professionals, and even those in different industries, will prove beneficial down the road when you actually do need something.

Arrive Early To Everything

A popular saying is “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.” There is nothing worse than someone who is chronically late to everything, regardless of the time of day. By arriving early to everything, you can easily distinguish yourself in the workplace. People will take notice.

Manage Your Personal Brand

Personal branding has become a hot topic in today’s society. Whether it is your style of dress, email syntax or choice of music, everything you do relates to your personal brand. This can be a way to stand out, but it is important to consider your industry and office culture before going too crazy. Regardless of your choices, remember that everything you do reflects on your personal brand and how people think of you. Managing your brand can take you a long way.

Be Relentlessly Responsive

Thanks to today’s constantly connected world, responding to emails/calls/texts has become easier than ever. There is almost no excuse for someone to not respond for days on end. Another way to stand out is in your response time. Remember: there is a difference between reacting and responding. If you need to do some research on the topic, that is fine, but you can let the individual know that you got their request and are working on it.

That said, there is a fine line that differentiates your work-life balance. Depending on your work, you likely don’t need to be responding to emails at 3:00 AM. Knowing when to shut off for the night is almost as important as how quickly you respond.

Wrap Up

Depending on where you’re at in your career, the advice you seek varies. Just as your resume changes for the type of job level you seek, so too does the accompanying advice. For recent, or soon-to-be college graduates, and early career professionals, there are certain topics that aren’t covered in your coursework. Your mentors or parents may have advice from their own careers, but in all honesty, this is a different time so your advice will be different as well.

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What to Consider for a Competitive Compensation Package

One of the biggest determining factors for people to pursue new career opportunities is salary. However, it is important for job seekers to consider the total compensation package being offered by employers: salary, health benefits, perks, paid time off, etc. Figuring out this compensation package can be challenging to some employers, especially considering the competitive landscape that has become today’s job search.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Situation for April 2019, the unemployment rate has declined to 3.6 percent. This means that the competition for attracting top-tier candidates has become increasingly difficult. Job seekers can essentially pick and choose what opportunities to pursue and ultimately accept, so employers must create competitive compensation packages to attract candidates from competing opportunities.

In an article for CareerBuilder, Matt Tarpey highlights a few important factors that employers, especially those at small businesses, must consider when crafting their compensation packages.

Experience/Background

The rule of thumb regarding a candidate’s experience level and background has been the more experience and education, the higher expected pay. If you’re an employer and looking to bring on a candidate with 5-7 years’ experience and a master’s degree, you should be prepared to offer a salary and compensation package commensurate with that experience level.

Industry

Depending on what industry you are in, titles can mean different things, including different wages. For example, an “account executive” in the advertising industry may earn more (or less) than an “account executive” selling season tickets for the local professional sports team. It is important to recognize this distinction as a job seeker, because in today’s society (and the popularity of updating your job on LinkedIn) a common selling point for a job is a fancy title.

So, why do different jobs in different industries have the same title but different salaries? According to Tarpey, “There are many reasons for this discrepancy – in some cases their job function may be critical to a particular industry, or it may simply be a matter of one industry being considerably larger than the others.”

Location

Recently, there has been an influx of professionals moving away from some of the nation’s largest cities and to areas that most wouldn’t consider “hot spots” for certain industries. For example, many emerging technology companies are opting for Cleveland or other cities in the Midwest instead of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. One major reason for this? Cost of living.

According to BestPlaces, San Francisco is 295.2 percent more expensive than Cleveland. A salary of $50,000 in Cleveland should increase to $197,601 in San Francisco. The biggest factor in the cost of living difference is median home cost, which is 2520 percent more expensive in San Francisco compared to Cleveland. This is just one example of the vast differences in cost of living.

When comparing your position to a similar one in a larger urban area, it is important to remember this difference.

In-Demand Skill Sets

When looking for jobs, many job seekers fall victim to searching for certain titles. Instead, they should be looking for opportunities that align with their skill sets. Key skills are a more reliable metric to compare against than titles. As Tarpey mentions, “different companies may have very different definitions of the same job title.”

If job seekers focus on their skills instead of titles, they open up the potential of finding more opportunities. If a candidate has many skills, he or she can apply them to a wide variety of roles at an organization – something that an employer should consider when creating a compensation package.

Supply and Demand

This is another factor to consider that also can be applied to the job industry. Certain industries have more candidates than others. For example, the sports industry has a ton of people interested to work in some aspect, while there are only so many jobs available. As an employer, if your company is in an area where the candidate pool does not have the required skills, you might end up paying more to attract candidates that meet your requirements. That is important to keep in mind from a hiring perspective.

Wrap Up

Compensation packages are a major determining factor for employees when considering whether or not to accept a job offer. As an employer, this can be a challenge due to the competitive landscape that the job search has become. Many factors play into what a company comes up with for compensation rates that are both fair and competitive. If you’re an employer trying to attract top talent, consider these five factors before creating your next compensation package.

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Ignore These Myths About Career Advancement

It is no secret that today’s job market is ultra-competitive. Unemployment is hovering around four percent, finding the right candidates can be a challenge and keeping them can be even more difficult. Being able to adapt to the ever-changing environment is a challenge that not everyone is up to, but must begin to learn to accept.

According to Forbes Contributor William Arruda, “In today’s competitive corporate landscape, standing still is equivalent to moving backward.” He continues, “The opposite of ‘up’ is ‘down,’ and if you’re not moving up – in your company, your field, and your career overall – you’re at risk of being downsized.” Similar to everyone’s path to career success, there is no one path for us to follow in terms of career advancement. What used to work for your parents or mentors might not be the best path to follow for your career.

If you’re looking to forge ahead in your career and make significant strides, there are a few common myths that you should avoid, according to Arruda.

You Must Get Promoted

Many people attribute success to getting a promotion, however that isn’t always the case. Moving “up” in an organization isn’t always the best move for people as they might not want to manage individuals. If your role has no management responsibilities, or you are not someone who wants to be in a management position, you can still advance in your career.

You can do this by focusing on the value you add to the organization and how you can increase it. Becoming certified in various aspects of your career in order to become an expert in your field can speak volumes in terms of career advancement. According to Arruda, “instead of managing others, you can enhance your organization’s operations by sharing what you know with your peers and becoming a thought leader outside the organization.”

More Pay = More Success

Sure, getting paid well means you are able to do more things in your life. However, many people think that the most successful people are also paid the most. That may not actually be the case. According to a study by Andrew T. Jebb, Louis Tay, Ed Diener and Shigehiro Oishi, people with incomes above $105,000 a year actually see their level of happiness and overall well-being drop. The happiest and most fulfilled people are often those with the best work-life balance.

One of the most common traps that people fall into is chasing the jobs with the highest paycheck. While this might open some doors that you otherwise might not have been able to afford, it may not always be the most fulfilling work. Culture, fit and quality of life are aspects of your career that are often overlooked, but are actually the most important. What you get paid is not the only measuring stick for success and career advancement.

Bigger Cities Offer More Opportunities

Depending on the industry you work in or are trying to get into, some cities offer more opportunities than others. Major cities such as New York City and Los Angeles provide countless opportunities, but those also may come at a cost. These cities come with a major price tag as the cost of living is usually exponentially more expensive than some smaller cities. Don’t believe me? A Glassdoor study found that Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Indianapolis are the three best cities for jobseekers; not exactly what one would expect.

Believe it or not, your best opportunities for career advancement may not come from these “sleepless” cities. Be open to opportunities in locations you might otherwise have not considered.

Make Networking About Yourself

The importance of networking throughout your entire career cannot be understated. Most people only consider networking to be important when looking for your first, or a new, job. That cannot be further from the truth. As Arruda says, “It [networking] enhances your knowledge base, broadens your horizons, and creates opportunities that working in isolation just can’t.”

A mistake that most professionals make when it comes to networking is using these conversations as an opportunity to talk about themselves. One way to really stand out in networking is to listen more than speak. Chris Motley, CEO of Better Weekdays, says “When you have the opportunity to speak to folks in an informational interview or a networking event, treat them as if they are the expert by asking questions. They will be flattered and you will get valuable information.”

In the age of self-promotion and brand building, taking an interest in someone else’s career can go a long way. Not only could you be considered as likeable, but you will stand out and come to mind when your connections have a job opening that aligns with your background.

Wrap Up

Career advancement is a popular consideration for job seekers. While this is certainly a hot topic in the career space, there are some myths surrounding it that need to be busted. When looking for opportunities to continue advancing through your career, you are likely going to hear advice from many different avenues. It is important to figure out what works for you and pursue it. Along the way, don’t believe any of the aforementioned myths.

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What Employees Want (Other Than a Raise)

A common reason that employees seek other opportunities is they want more money. As an employer, when one of your employees come to you asking for a raise or promotion, it can be an awkward conversation. If you say yes, chances are more employees will come with the same request. If you deny, you risk losing that employee. When he or she decides to leave the company for an opportunity that provides more money, you may be tempted to extend a counteroffer. Luckily, there are other benefits that employers can offer their employees to retain them.

For small business owners, the request for a raise or promotion is one that might keep you up at night. It may not be possible to give your employees a raise when they request it, even though they may be more than deserving, due to the costs of keeping the business afloat. If you are an employer and have found yourself in this position, there are other things that you can offer instead of a bump in salary.

Bonuses

If you can’t offer a raise in salary at the moment, it is important to be honest with them and maintain open lines of communication. Is there a timeline of when he or she can expect the raise? Share that with them; your employee will appreciate the honesty and transparency surrounding the situation.

An alternate route is offering a one-time bonus. Not only will this show the employee that he or she is valued, but it also can improve his or her morale (and bank account).

Flex Hours

A popular workplace perk or benefit is offering flex hours. Popular use of this perk is coming in early to leave early, or starting later and leaving later. This provides opportunities to incorporate a healthy work-life balance which can, in turn, improve productivity in the office. Another option, according to Career Builder, is to offer four 10-hour work days instead of five 8-hour work days.

Work from Home Days

Remote working options have become increasingly popular these days. This benefit can lead to increased productivity and employee happiness. Still not convinced? Data from an OwlLabs survey revealed that employees who work from home at least once a month are 24 percent happier and more productive than those who don’t.

While remote working can benefit those who take advantage of it, not everyone can maintain productivity outside the office. Figuring out what works for you is key.

Wrap Up

It is no secret that today’s job market favors the job seeker. Candidates can search for and choose which jobs to apply for and, if offered, which one to accept. Retaining employees can be fairly competitive as career professionals are looking for the best opportunity to advance his or her career. Employees will always want more money and often times will seek opportunities that provide it. If you cannot offer a raise, there are other benefits you can offer your employees to keep them engaged and productive. For more, check out this article from our friends at Career Builder.

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When to Quit Your Job

Regardless of your reasoning, quitting your job is an anxiety-inducing and daunting experience. Often times you may feel that you’re on an island and the only person experiencing these feelings. If you’ve ever felt this way, just know that you’re not the first person to ever quit a job and certainly won’t be the last. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics nearly 3.5 million people (2.3 percent of the total workforce) quit their jobs in February 2019 alone. For many people, knowing when to quit is a difficult realization to come to grips with.

According to best-selling author, CEO and Forbes contributor Grant Cardone, the top three warning signs that you should quit are:

  • Lack of leadership – without leadership or with bad leadership, a company is doomed from the start.
  • Poor company culture – if your coworkers are miserable, chances are their misery and negative feelings will start creeping into your mind as well.
  • Zero opportunity for growth – if your career development is being stunted, and you’ve tried to take on new responsibilities or get a promotion to no avail, things likely won’t change in the future.

Are you seeing any of these warning signs in your current role? It might be time to pursue opportunities. Once you recognize the signs that it is time to quit, the worst thing you can do is stick around and hope things change. Many people do this because the fear of confrontation and not wanting to have that conversation with a boss. However, as Cardone states, “Make an exit plan immediately.”

Navigating how to quit your job the right way can be challenging (make sure not to make these mistakes!). If you’ve decided it is time to make a change, Cardone has three tips to creating your own exit plan.

Commit to Your Decision

Deciding to quit your job is not a time to second guess yourself. You need to make the decision and stick to it, because after all the chances of rescinding on your resignation are slim to none. Sometimes when you put in your two weeks’ notice, your employer might make a counteroffer. However, once you’ve made your decision, stick to it. There’s no looking back.

Actively Look for Jobs

When quitting jobs, the common train of thought is to “never leave a job without having another lined up.” Sometimes, however, you just need to get out of a bad situation. If this is the case, you must ramp up your job search for the next opportunity. If you leave a job and don’t have another one to start shortly thereafter, your job search should become your full-time job.

Don’t Treat the Job Interview Like a Job Interview

According to Cardone, “When you start landing those job interviews, you’ll want to do more than just talk about your past experiences and accomplishments. Make it a point to emphasize what you can do for the company, and not what it can do for you. Bring bold ideas that will wow them.”

This is an opportunity to show why you’re the best candidate for the job. It is your time to shine. Take advantage of it.

Wrap Up

Quitting your job isn’t exactly a fun experience that people look forward to, but the majority of us will likely have to face this unfortunate circumstance at one point or another during our career. Once you realize that it is time to quit for the right reasons, these steps will make creating your “exit plan” easier and more attainable.

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