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Careers & workplace advice from Hays

Over the years, I have come to realise that getting recognition from your boss is about making yourself an indispensable member of the team – a team member who adds value and enthusiasm to the organisation. It’s not just about doing your job well; it’s about going above and beyond the call of duty and showing you are more than capable of doing more.
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If you have a son, daughter or other mentee in your family, here’s the advice I’ve been giving to anyone who asks me “what should my son/daughter be studying to be relevant in the job market of the future?”

1.There’ll be no such thing as a career

Actually, of course there will, people (like me) who started their career and will be determined to finish it well! Those just starting out aren’t likely to be motivated to have a “career” in the usual sense – study a relevant degree, find their first role in their chosen profession, look for progression etc. It just isn’t the way things will work anymore. Recent studies including our own worldwide look at Gen Y show that 64% want interesting work – at the top of the list. So how do you support them?

2. Tap into the passion

How many of us reached our 30s and suddenly realised we’d made a really boring career choice? Talking to an ill-informed careers adviser (in my case) who took little or no notice of my personality led to a contrived and poorly suited career path for me, until I made what seemed like a risk-laden change and found the right one! I’m sure the professionals out there today who are advising students are far better informed, but there’s a lot to be said for following your gut instinct in terms of what sort of work will suit your personality, passions, skills and interests.

3. Get the sector right

Rather than a career track, choose a sector that has a bright and long term future. This decision will lead to many more opportunities than might seem obvious now. Anything to do with caring for people – aged, allied, specialist medical or the honourable profession of nursing are all sure to be in rising demand for the foreseeable future. Similarly,  professions focused on attracting, serving, understanding and analysing customers will continue to be critical in helping companies grow.

The key to success

Most people who are successful in having the lifestyle they want, the rewards they want, and the capability and confidence to choose their own career path are – fundamentally – hard working. If there is one quality I am grateful to have inherited from my parents, it is a strong work ethic.

Ultimately,  seeing how the world of work operates at an early age and getting as much experience as possible by communicating with all sorts of people, are the best experiences a new entrant to the working world can have.

Want to progress in your career? Our career progression tips will help you get to where you want to be

Success in the corporate world is no easy feat. For young professionals, the path to reaching your “corporate dream” can sometimes seem out of your control. As a young professional myself, I am by no means “there” yet, in fact, I probably have a long way to go.

The fortunate thing, however, is that over my short career so far, I have come across many people who have reached their goals and are in my eyes are worthy of being called truly successful. Therefore, I’d like to share some nuggets of gold which I have learnt from them and the lessons I try to remind myself of each morning.

1. Accountability is key

Regardless of your title or status in the organisation, everyone has a job to do and accountability is key. When things aren’t going well, you shouldn’t blame anything or anyone but yourself. When things are going well, you must take credit for your successes.

Those who succeed are those who really treat their “job” as their own – taking sole responsibility for every aspect of their role.

2. Performance speaks for itself

People say “you’ve got to play the game to come out on top”. However, I am a firm believer that your boss and will judge you based on your output. Why spend so much energy on politics (which can often be a lot harder than actually doing your job) when you can focus on performing well? Ensure that you are perceived as a “do-er”, not just a “talker”.

3. Stop, revive, survive

As a young professional, your road ahead is a long and winding one, so don’t forget to stop once in a while to clear your head. You will often find that once you take a step back and use the time to reflect, you will come up with some of your best ideas. So don’t forget to take a breather every now and again, and don’t feel guilty about it.

4. If you don’t ask, you don’t get

If you appear happy and are performing well in your role, it can be easy for your boss to presume that you feel fulfilled in your career. If that isn’t the case, then choose the opportunity wisely to ask for a promotion or pay rise. Be sure to be equipped with documented evidence of your successes, do your research, be professional and patient.

5. Find a career mentor

At the beginning of your career, everything ahead of you can feel daunting and overwhelming. However, finding an appropriate mentor can help to relieve this stress, and help you think more clearly about your career. Other benefits include:

  • A mentor gives you a sense of the bigger picture by sharing their detailed knowledge of your industry and real-life experiences
  • A mentor can help you identify your strengths  and fine-tune your skills
  • A mentor will provide you will a wider support network
  • A mentor will listen to your ideas in a constructive and non-judgemental way

I’ve been blessed to have had a few very good mentors who have helped me to progress in my career. When selecting a mentor, choose someone you can learn from, who you respect and who has a career you would like to emulate. I found one of my mentors at a networking event – I approached him, we spoke, we clicked, and ever since he has provided me with some excellent advice, which has saved me from many a sleepless night! So, make it a mission to find your career mentor, and let yourself be guided.

I hope the above advice has helped you think about how you can make the next step in your career. Regardless of what stage of your career you’re in, always know that there is still plenty for you to learn and to think about, and that there is always someone who is experiencing the same problems or hurdles as you.

Want to progress in your career? Our career progression tips will help you get to where you want to be