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I wish I had known how to advocate for myself earlier on. I rarely if ever negotiated offers or promotions, and never really pursued promotions. I thought people would just give those things to me if I kept my head down and worked hard. 15 years down the line I realize that the people who get these things are the people who ask. Wish I would've known that sooner
I agree entirely, but I think folks often miss the why on this - sure part of it is because you ask, but more importantly it creates a conversation with you manager on what you want and then they can more effectively coach you. It also helps with setting your expectations on what it takes so you know if it’s achievable, something you really want, etc etc. in my opinion only, It’s invaluable, not just because those who ask get necessarily, but because those who ask makes their expectations know and then others can set theirs - creating common understanding, clarity, etc. this is mine too… which someone would have told me what you said, becuase the rest I could have learned faster then.
Experience and being around people will have more benefits than education. I’m not saying to completely shun education or college, but the sooner you can get into a position and start working alongside others, the faster you will probably climb the ladder. I’m sure that will vary, but that was my experience.
As somebody that obtained a MBA fairly recently…. I hands down agree with this statement. Networking and the actual “hands-on” experience appears to hold more weight when applying to new jobs than my graduate level degree. It’s a lot harder to find a higher level position when you have the education but not necessarily the “director level experience” under your belt.
Having a particular career/job won’t make me happy
Mentor
True, I learned this one myself.
When someone asks if you could be their referral, even if you didn't work with them either directly or not for a while (cuz you or they moved to other roles), be honest with them of the fact of the situation BUT you can let them know that although you'll be honest to the recruiter/hiring manager of the circumstance(s), you can be a character referral and ask the referee what they'd like you to highlight about them to the potential employer. E. G., I knew so and so in our work together back in such place, and they were a great asset to the team through their amazing contributions etc.
I wish I'd known this before until recently, don't crucify me if this is a normal thing.
I just felt it would be damaging to my integrity (as well as potential future prospects) to lie to the potential employer that such person worked for such company from whatever date to another when I haven't worked with them in the same group during said dates...
Consulting and politics have a lot of commonalities, particularly around glad handing and networking and how promotions after Manager are pretty much like running a campaign.
Networking is more important than education and most people can be trained or learn most jobs. I know people wholly unqualified that have found success or at least "stuck around" in positions based on who they know and their likability.