Your Career Goals

Creative trends come and go and it’s tempting to keep ignoring it all and keep plugging along with your head down, especially if you have a secure job and you’re relatively successful. But the truth is that if you’re not attempting some of the popular practices, or at least keeping track of them, then you’re not protecting yourself and you’re missing out on big opportunities—not only for growth, but also for prestige in your industry.

You should always be thinking about how to advance your career. Even if you’re unhappy with your current job, you can still appreciate the skills you’re picking up and how they’re preparing you for the next step in your career. Embrace the experience you’re receiving and the contacts you’re making as you set goals to reach the next level. With hard work and initiative, you can become an indispensable asset, ripe for either a promotion or a better position at a new company.

Most of us, no matter how old we are, still want the approving nods from our parents as we navigate our careers. After all, they know us better than anyone, want what’s best for us and are armed with wise perspectives that come from a lifetime of experiences.

Introverted people are generally perceived as shy, quiet, aloof, withdrawn and timid. These are tough impressions to break when you’re trying to get noticed in a job, especially when you’re surrounded by louder, more extroverted colleagues. And if your boss is an extrovert, such a mismatch of energy might result in miscommunications that could make your work life miserable or even hurt your career.

Switching careers can seem risky and daunting. Other times you don’t have a choice –you’re laid off or you’ve taken too many pay cuts. The average American worker changes jobs five to seven times in a lifetime. Career change is a journey, a continual process that requires a lot of time and energy, patience and flexibility, and a strong support network.

Sometimes you find a job description that highlights a need for experience. You want to get into the industry but have no experience. How can you gain experience if no one will hire you? It’s a paradox, but there are lots of different routes to get to the next level in your career.

Whether you’re just starting your career or you’re a seasoned veteran, there’s always room for growth and making sure that you’ll reach your maximum potential in your field. And sure, there are contextual and external factors that affect you that are out of your control, but the key to unlock your future is in your hands.

Congratulations on your new job! Changing jobs can be very stressful. The first three months are often an extension of the interview process as you learn a new role while navigating social and organizational norms and trying to please the new boss. But those who are prepared in those first days are more focused, more at ease and more successful.