According to Medium.com, most people have “okay” jobs. Most of us wake up, head to work, slave away for most of the day, come home, relax a bit, go to bed, and wake up and do it all over again the next day.
However, have you ever noticed that there are some people out there who land those awesome executive-level positions early in their careers, while others remain in the same role for decades?
How do they do it? How are they so motivated, and how did they get to this point?
First of all, these individuals understand that job requirements are negotiable. Noah Kagan, the founder of AppSumo, calls negotiation tactics the “coffee challenge.” You go into a coffee shop and ask for 10 percent off, “just because.” Shockingly, most of the time, the cashier will give it to you. Who would have thought such a thing? The lesson here is that we think that many parts of our lives are nonnegotiable, when in fact, they can be negotiated. Experience requirements, salaries, vacation time—it can all be negotiated, so long as you are willing to engage in such discussions. You just have to prove that you will be valuable to the company.
- See Everything Is Negotiable for more information.
Remember to “fake it till you make it.” The New York Times once wrote that the groups that are more successful than others share three characteristics: they have a superiority complex, they experience a bit of insecurity, and they maintain impulse control. Believing that you will achieve success, demonstrating discipline, and having just a bit of insecurity about yourself is apparently the magic formula for a successful career.
Your version of reality is impacted by your past. There are probably things in your life that you take for granted that others, who did not have the same opportunities and background as you, feel are impossible. Examples may be a college education, landing an amazing entry-level job, or making it as a successful manager. To break this cycle of thinking, you need to study the best individuals in your field—listen to interviews with them and learn how they got to where they are.
Do not choose a career for the paycheck alone. The average numbers that are published on salary and employment websites are not always accurate. In every field, there are those who make a fortune and those who barely get by. Strive to be the best, and others will recognize the value of your work.
As you search for jobs, focus on the person you will be working for—meaning, look for a boss, not a company. Having a great mentor is priceless. You will learn a great amount of information by being around successful people, and you will even work your way into their networks of high-powered individuals. You never know who will be willing to send your resume on to the CEO of a major company, or who will help you get your foot in the door at your dream job.
Remember, it’s okay to take a hit to your bank account for the right experience. If you have to choose between a great mentor or more money, choose the mentor. A strong mentor will provide you with insight into your career that will benefit you for decades to come. Think about your long-term goals instead of your short-term ones, and your career will thank you later.
It is important to build on your skillset regularly. What got you in the door will not be enough to help you get a promotion. Make sure that you understand how to add value outside of your role in the office. You have to figure out what the company needs and obtain it.
See the following articles for more information:
You don’t really start learning until after college. Most individuals think that they no longer have to study after they walk across the stage with their undergraduate degrees. However, this is far from correct. It is important to listen to podcasts, read books, attend conferences, and confer with others to stay updated on what is going on in the field. Such practices help these individuals obtain new opportunities in their careers.
Always look for ways to gain exposure. When you achieve something in your job, make sure others know about it—write a blog or an article. Share it with others. Make sure the world knows what you are doing.
Be mindful of the fact that a company is only as good as you make it. Even working in fast food can provide insight into the operations of the company, its marketing strategies, and other information that will lead to success later.
There is more than one way to get “inside” a company to land a job. Alex Banayan said,
“[All highly successful people] treat life, business, and success … just like a nightclub. There are always three ways in. There’s the First Door, where 99% of people wait in line, hoping to get in. There’s the Second Door, where billionaires and royalty slip through.
But then there is always, always … the Third Door. It’s the entrance where you have to jump out of line, run down the alley, climb over the dumpster, bang on the door a hundred times, crack open the window, and sneak through kitchen. But there’s always a way in.
Whether it’s how Bill Gates sold his first piece of software, or how Steven Spielberg became the youngest director at a major studio in Hollywood—they all took the Third Door.”
By taking a new approach, instead of trying the same thing everyone else tries, you will increase your odds of success.
Forbes also provides an important reminder—to stay out of your own way.
First, you have to move if you want success—even if it means taking the smallest step forward.
Also, be receptive to feedback you receive, and take note of what you have learned. You will never grow if you are unwilling to change, and if you are unwilling to change, why should your career?
Use what you have learned to create a new path for yourself. Remember, your path will not always be predictable, especially if you are trying to transition to a new career or are taking on the unknown in your current position.
Source: Medium.com
Photo credit: gumballpromotions.co.uk
