I know I’m not the only young professional who has felt like they are either losing control of their career or feel they never had control of it. There have been a number of times that I have felt that I am nothing more than a cog in a machine and all my dreams of a successful career really don’t mean much. Furthermore, I have been in positions where I was not given as much responsibility as I would have liked, or my work became boring and mundane.
I learned quickly, though, that there are many ways that I can take control of my career. Even more important is the realization that no one else is going to take ownership of your career; it’s up to you to pursue your ambitions and create the career you envision. With that being said, here are five ways young professionals can take control of their career.
1) Do things without being told
When you first start a job, it makes sense to ask questions and figure out what you need to do to fulfill your job duties. In most offices, though, there are a ton of things you could do, but no one is going to tell you to do. The easiest way for a young professional to make an impact at work is by doing things you are not told to do. Revamping a report, automating a process, or creating a social media strategy are all examples of things that you might not be told to do, but would add value to the company and in turn benefit your career.
A friend of mine told me about someone at their work who was really good at creating new reports with charts, graphs, and a clean design. The directors, vice presidents, and executives liked the reports so much that he now has a certain amount of his time allotted to developing new reporting and maintaining those reports. Was he asked to revamp the reporting? You might be surprised to hear that the answer is no, he took the initiative without being asked.
2) Provide value
When you go through your day-to-day tasks at work, think about what value you are providing. Are you doing things that are providing value to your manager, director and other higher-ups? Hopefully the answer is yes. If not, what can you do to provide value? At the end of the day employees who provide value are the ones who are going to receive the raises, promotions, and job security.
Another way to look at this issue of value is whether your employer would have a hard time replacing you. Are you creating and doing things that would be hard to transition to others because of the unique value you add to the process? Always think of your job in terms of how much value you are creating, because that’s how the executives measure full-time employees.
3) Volunteer and take responsibility
Young Professionals may not always be handed the most exciting jobs and tasks, and sometimes it can be surprising how little is expected out of a full-time employee. When a need arises for someone to develop a new process, research a new market, or review legislation for it’s impact on the company, don’t be afraid to volunteer. Taking ownership of tasks/processes/proposals, and the responsibility that comes with it, should be something that young professionals embrace. Showing that you are eager to volunteer for additional responsibility is something that can make you stand out and set you up for future career success.
4) Keep other opportunities in mind
After working in one company for a certain period of time it’s easy to get tunnel vision. You understand the politics and bureaucracy of your office, what jobs and opportunities for advancement are available at your company, and what your career track could potentially look like. It’s very easy to get comfortable at a company, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. It’s when you are only in your 20s or 30s and you forget there are thousands of other companies out there with their own unique set of challenges and responsibilities that could be a much better fit for you.
Even if you like your current company, team, and job, things can change quickly. One of my former managers once said, “sometimes you have to leave and come back to get that promotion and the respect you deserve.” There’s nothing wrong with leaving your current employer for another company. Most people are working in an “at will” arrangement where you can be let go any day of the week. Don’t feel guilty for keeping your options open.
5) Kill it at your current job, but plan for your next
Let’s get one thing straight: it’s important to perform at a high level at your current job. Getting a positive review and gaining positive references are things that young professionals need early in their career. At the same time it’s always important to think about your next job well before you have to find one.
Looking at the positions available at the next level is a great career exercise, especially for young professionals who often move around quite a bit from position-to-position. Looking at some of the soft and hard skills that are in demand for the jobs you want to be in down the road can help you prioritize what skills you work on in your current job (or at night and on the weekends). Let’s face it: you can’t become an expert in Microsoft Access and SQL overnight. It’s important to spend some time developing those hard and soft skills that employers are looking for.
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If you are a young professional, what are you doing to take control of your career? If you are not a millennial, what career advice would you give to young professionals?
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I regularly look at positions that are available in my area of expertise. I find it keeps me a little bit happier knowing that there are plenty of jobs available for someone with my experience should I ever tire of my current job.
MonsterPiggyBank It’s definitely nice to know that there are other options out there. It gives you a bit more leverage when negotiating salaries and benefits.
These are all great tips DC, and think they would be good for many to follow. The market is so competitive today that I think a lot of it comes down to providing value and thinking outside the box to create new opportunities. If you’re able to do that, you’re more likely to make yourself stand out which is so vital in today’s market.
FrugalRules Great words, John! I think it’s so important to be able to show (and explain) how you can provide value to companies.
These are all great tips! I totally agree to keep an eye out for better opportunities as well. Companies aren’t loyal to you like they used to be so there’s no reason for you to be loyal to them either.
Holly at ClubThrifty That’s the approach young professionals should take! I know someone who poured out his heart and soul at his first employer for 8 years, only to be let go in a reshuffle when new management came in. It wasn’t pretty and it was a reminder that things can change quickly.
I am checking job posting websites atleast once a week to figure out what else is available in my field. I don’t think I will want ot spend more than 2 years at my current employer so I am really trying to become aware of what else is available in my field.
BudgetforMore That’s a great approach. That way you are aware early on what skills you should be working on to land that next job.
I would try to learn new things, like the graph guy, preferably something my bosses can’t do. it adds value and makes you indispensable.
RFIndependence Great point! I definitely have taken this approach at my current employer through learning automation that others are unwilling to learn because it takes a lot of time and practice, as well as some time outside of work training.
Couldn’t agree more with going more than you’re asked. Over-delivering is one of the best things you can do in any professional setting, whether you’re an employee or self-employed. As a client, I love to be surprised when I’m given more than I expected, so it only makes sense.
Matt @ Mom and Dad Money I agree! I always try to over-deliver whenever possible. I love seeing people surprised at the unexpected results, and it benefits me career-wise or in freelance. Great point about it being important for self-employed individuals as well.
Great advice! When I look back I think there are a lot of things I could have done differently, like learning new software or making videos on my own. I think deep down this career isn’t something that I really wanted…more like fell into it. I’m only realizing that now.
At least you’re realizing it now!
BeachbudgetIt’s never too late to switch your career, if that’s what you want. From what I’ve seen, you are very good at what you do, so I would just stick with it and continue to improve your skills and grow your portfolio. It’s all about what you want, though.
This is such good advice! I’ve been putting this advice into play for about the last year of my short career with this company, and though I haven’t seen any financial results yet, it’s definitely improved my resume by leaps and bounds.
Jordann Good to hear! I have also been putting this advice into play and have definitely seen an improvement in my resume, my value to the company, and finally the options available to me after I outgrow my current position.
It’s amazing how far we can get with old fashioned hard work and dedication!
Monicaonmoney Working hard and especially working smart are things that can really help you progress in a career.
I really take notice of #1 with my kids at home. When they do something without being asked, they get all kinds of praise. Sometimes I even give them extra money. I think the same thing happens in the workplace. Employers notice people going out of their way to get stuff done and make things better.
Brian @ Luke1428I have definitely seen this at play in my workplace. If a manager has to ask for every single little thing and never gets anything done by employees without asking, I can only imagine it would be frustrating to manage those employees. The more you be a self-starter the better.
I like what you said about developing skills that are in future job ads. That’s such great advice, as is doing more than you are asked. I love it when the people I supervise think of something I haven’t gotten to yet. It’s so nice, and it makes them really stand out.
BudgetBlondeI know those higher-up than me like when I do things without having to be told directly to do them. Taking initiative is huge! And developing skills for your next job is always a plus, since then you already have the skills they are looking for.
Learning other tasks, helping others, and finding solutions to problems and not just finding them are some of the ones that have worked best for me. I really like the provide value and doing without being told. Make sure that you company NEEDS you. When they start depending on you and you are the go to person the ball is in your court.
YourDailyFinIt’s always good to be in a spot where the company NEEDS you or at the very least would have trouble replacing you and would rather not go through the trouble.
Looking for other opportunities is essential in my opinion. In this climate, no one really has “job security” and you should keep your eyes open. Keeping your skills top notch and learning new things are great things as well.
DebtandtheGirlJob security is more an illusion than anything in today’s economic environment. I think more and more people will specialize in specific skills and work freelance or on contract so that companies only have to pay people on an “as needed” basis.
These are all great tips. I always make sure to go above and beyond at my job!
SenseofCentsThanks for the kind words, Michelle!
#1 especially. So many young people are programmed to only do what there are told but employers most of the time want you to take the initiative and just do it!
momoneymohouses The great thing is that taking initiative is pretty much always looked at positively, especially if you can create something of value.
These are awesome tips, David. I think killing it at your current job and making everything you touch better are the quickest ways to get noticed. Even if you’re doing a great job, if you don’t do something new and better then it’s tough to get noticed.
CommonCentsWealthIt’s all about improvement.
Learning new skills and enhancing your competencies is really required. People usually do the job within boundaries but there are expectations to learn new and adopt new stuffs
Samgill I agree 100%. Most people can do the minimum required, but it’s when you go above and beyond that you really start creating value.
Great advice, especially your last point. I got into a conversation with a some folks a few days ago about needing to always be planning your next move. Whether it’s with your current company or moving on to another career/company, it’s important to always have a plan for the future. Of course you can’t let your current work suffer which you mentioned. Always love hearing I’m not the only one feeling adrift about my career!
BrokeMillennialI think most millennials are adrift about their career ;) It’s definitely good to have something to shoot for. It helps guide what skills you want to focus on developing.
Awesome tips DC! This is one of my favorite posts that you have done. A tip I would add to all young professionals is to take control of your career. It is YOUR career. Be proactive and intentional about it. Don’t like your job? Look for ways to change that WITHIN your company, as well as externally. Create your own action plan to move forward and then act on it.
ayoungproWow thanks for the kind words! I definitely agree that it’s up to the individual to be proactive and take control of their career.
Good points! Asking questions and taking notes are real important when you are just starting your career.
krantcents1 That’s a good point. At the beginning, you really need to take good notes and try as best you can to understand processes and “how things work” in the given office.
this is a great article! I highly agree with the “do without being asked” thing. My sister has been telling me that for a while. If you can do something that helps everyone out without breaking rules, go ahead and do it. My sister ended up creating an organizational system for old files that she was the one who used most and put up a handy archiving listing so people could be able to find things. Little things like that can be helpful.
Tara Zee Wow that does sound like it would be pretty helpful! Good for her!
I really like this post! “I have been in positions where I was not given as much responsibility as I would have liked, or my work became boring and mundane,” I can so identify with this right now! I would love to be given extra responsibilities. My bosses have said I’m not meant to be just a paper pusher, but we are undergoing a lot of changes right now, so it’s best for me to wait it out and then see what gaps need to be filled. It sucks to wait when I know I’ve excelled in my current position, but I got here by following everything you laid out.
I like to take initiative or ask my bosses if there is anything else I can help them with. Often times there is. I am now the go-to person for training manuals, just because I went ahead and wrote one for my replacement when I was promoted.
JourneytoSaving I also wrote up a TON of documentation when I was promoted, yet took a position with absolutely zero documentation (and I received very little training). Instead of getting frustrated I wrote up documentation and it was a big win for me in my review last year.
The best way to become noticed and stand out is to do something that goes over and above others. By understanding more about your company and what you do you will be In a better position.
OneSmartDollar Great point. It’s easy to do the bare minimum for your job, but when you go the extra mile you can really get noticed.
There are tons of things you can do to make yourself more valuable. Showing up and going through the motions might not cut it if there is competition. I think you are spot on to “kill it” while you are working. Even if you are thinking about the next job, do your best at your current one. You never know who is paying attention that might help you out down the road.
Providing value is something I try very hard to do. I’ve specialized my skill set to a certain area of our project, and no one else on the team has as much knowledge of this area as I do. It’s not even complicated stuff, but it is specialized enough to make me important.
Great tips. Re: #3, Yes! It kills me to see some of my co-workers right out of college who haven’t quite got this one “down”. If you make a mistake, own it. In the long run you’ll be more respected then if you try to dance around the topic and blame it on someone else.
I really like this article because I am new in the job market and soon I will be starting a new job. I will keep this in my mind because starting out at a new job is very exciting and at the same time a bit nerve wrecking.
I’ve only had a short 3 year career but already have had the opportunity to do some of the things on this list. It really does add a lot of value to your experience and gives you great talking points to put on your resume and use in interviews. It shows the new employer that you will likely do more than just the job description and that gives you a much needed advantage in a large applicant pool.
I’ve always done 1-3, but have finally embraced 4 and 5. I always felt like I was betraying my current employer to be looking for a new job, but only Jover2 is looking out for the best interests of Jover2. So I’m a couple weeks away from starting a new job with a great commute (0), some other great benefits, and I’ll get to focus on the part of my current job that I like the most!