Entering the workforce is both an exciting and daunting experience. Equipped with an education and goals for the life ahead of you, it’s time to navigate the job market. In 2023, this means reaping the benefits of lessons learned from an uncertain last few years, while also learning lessons of your own.
While you’re prepared for the work you’ll do in your field, you’ll need career advice from seasoned professionals to gain a leg up as you embark on your own journey. Here are our top career tips for young professionals.
1. Build a Healthy Daily Routine
Establishing healthy habits at home now will save you a lot of struggle down the road. It turns out there’s a lot of wisdom in the old adage “early to bed, early to rise.” Set a bedtime and start a morning routine that enables you to wake up refreshed and ready, even when you’re between jobs. You’ll show up rested and engaged at interviews and at work, and you’ll set yourself up for a sustainable work/life balance.
2. Embrace Feedback
Feedback doesn’t always feel amazing, and that’s okay. Learning to hear constructive feedback and apply it to your work will enable you to grow as a person and professional. Realizing that you have room to improve is the only way to actually get better. In that regard, feedback is actually a gift.
3. Set Boundaries
As a hungry, young professional, it’s natural to want to show your dedication and work ethic, but it’s vital to do so while maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Set boundaries around when you’re on the clock and when you’re not, keeping your work in-line with your job description, and taking time off when you’re sick. This will help you avoid burnout and deliver better work for your team.
4. Protect Your Reputation
The way you use social media doesn’t only impact your own reputation; it can have repercussions for your employers as well. Locking down your private accounts is a start, but you’ll still want to be mindful about what you share — especially if co-workers or potential collaborators follow you.
5. Build Your LinkedIn Presence
Understanding how to make LinkedIn work for you is a smart career move. Use LinkedIn to build your network, share your accomplishments and demonstrate your professional values. Follow businesses and individuals you admire, and don’t be afraid to engage with them.
6. Bring Your Lunch
We’re not joking. Establishing the habit of bringing your lunch to work as a young professional is a valuable commitment. Not only can packing your lunch can save you up to $1,500 a year; it also allows you to build strong working relationships over those lunch breaks.
7. Keep Developing Your Skills
Developing distinguishing skills helps you gain a leg up in a competitive job market, and opens you up to opportunities that can grow your career further and faster. From data skills to leadership training, there will always be something to learn that can positively impact your career growth and build your network.
8. Celebrate Your Soft Skills
As you continue to move forward in your career, you’ll often hear the words “soft skills.” This refers to those traits that empower the human side of your career. Learn how to identify, build and leverage those skills now. Here’s some advice to get you started.
9. Ask Questions
Asking questions is one of the more valuable skills you can learn as you build your career. From standing out in an interview to asking for clarity on your assignments, to getting to know the people around you, getting comfortable with asking questions is a game changer for young professionals.
10. Work With Recruiters
As a young professional, some of the best career advice you can find will come from people who know the business world you’re in. Recruiters can not only help you find the best opportunities suited for your skills and needs, but offer targeted, industry-specific advice to aid in your growth as well.
Build Your Career with TalentSpark
TalentSpark is a woman-owned recruiting firm based in Boise, with a national network. Our recruiters are passionate about building the careers of young and seasoned professionals alike. We take the time to listen, offer guidance and advice, and find the types of opportunities that will build lasting success.
Contact TalentSpark today via our website, and let’s find your next great role.