5 Key Career Tips For Millennials
Millennials are about to surpass Baby Boomers as the largest adult generation in the U.S. There are 71 million of them, as opposed to 74 million Boomers, which means that they will dominate the U.S. labor force very soon. Clearly, the job market they have been ushered into is a highly competitive one, but it undoubtedly offers a wide variety of career choices. Still, apart from some formal education, millennials need to have an extra set of skills and competencies in order to successfully kick-start their career. Here are some steps that will put you on the right track.
Find a mentor
When you’re a rookie, you need all the help you can get, which is why finding a mentor who will be there to give you some useful advice and show you how to put all your skills and strengths to a good use. This person can be someone you respect such as a former boss, teacher, or even a successful and influential businessperson you admire. Apart from offering you guidance, your mentor will also be an important connection in your business network, and they can even provide you with some additional business opportunities outside of your current company.
Be a mentor
As we’ve already said, networking is a two-way street, which is why being a mentor is a good idea on so many levels. First of all, you’re going to learn how to help others and this is one of the most important traits of an effective business executive. Also, mentorship will look very good on your resume. Finally, this noble activity will boost your confidence and help you realize how much you actually know. Basically, it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Build your network
According to a recent survey, 85% of all jobs are filled through networking. The reason for this lies in the fact that people are more likely to trust recommendations from friends and colleagues. Growing your professional network will help you learn about job vacancies and make it possible for you to ask someone from your network for a referral. LinkedIn is an excellent way of connecting with various professionals from your industry. Cultivating your offline business relationships is equally important. Just make sure that your outreach isn’t too pushy and remember that meaningful relationships are never one-sided so if you need a favor you need to offer your help first.
The importance of lifelong learning
Gone are the days when a university degree was the most important ingredient of a successful career. Nowadays, it’s essential to go the extra mile or two and go well beyond your formal education. Working on your skills and expertise will help you keep up with the constant changes in the workplace and show your employees that you’re willing to improve yourself and be ready to face any challenge. If your field of work is management or business, taking some tailored finance modelling courses will provide you with valuable expertise and prepare you for everything you have to know in order to do your job properly.
Don’t be afraid to take chances
Risk-taking is an inevitable part of success in business. The only way to move forward and advance in your career is by taking chances and turning them into opportunities. What’s also crucial to realize is that this approach will teach you how to deal with failures, which are bound to happen over the course of your career. Or as Sir Richar Branson puts it, “Failure and rejection are an inevitable part of the business, and how you deal with them will ultimately affect your success.”
Follow these 5 easy career tips and find your own place in the sun.
