5 answers
Jessica
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Updated
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What mistakes did you make early in your career?
I am passionate about my work.
I am ambitious and driven.
I am highly organized.
I am excellent communicator. #work #career
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5 answers
James Foster
Sales Development
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
James’s Answer
Hey Jessica!
I'd say one of the mistakes I made early on in my career was assuming I would know where and in what direction I wanted to go in. I think it's important to always have an open mind and to learn as much as you can about everyone you interact with in different roles. Having started in supply chain and transitioned into sales, I never would have had the opportunity to learn about the role if I had just been exclusively focused on staying in supply chain.
It's always worth keeping an open mind and you might find a new opportunity on the way!
I'd say one of the mistakes I made early on in my career was assuming I would know where and in what direction I wanted to go in. I think it's important to always have an open mind and to learn as much as you can about everyone you interact with in different roles. Having started in supply chain and transitioned into sales, I never would have had the opportunity to learn about the role if I had just been exclusively focused on staying in supply chain.
It's always worth keeping an open mind and you might find a new opportunity on the way!
Jannet Park
Marketing
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jannet’s Answer
A couple of things I would do differently:
- Not asking enough questions. If you don't understand something, ask! People are more willing to take the time to explain a concept or process than you think.
- Constantly looking at the next step. I spent a lot of time in many of my roles looking at the next step on the ladder, or the next pivot to make. I would go back and enjoy the role I was currently in and extract as much as I can from the skills the role was helping me develop.
- Not asking enough questions. If you don't understand something, ask! People are more willing to take the time to explain a concept or process than you think.
- Constantly looking at the next step. I spent a lot of time in many of my roles looking at the next step on the ladder, or the next pivot to make. I would go back and enjoy the role I was currently in and extract as much as I can from the skills the role was helping me develop.
Robert Browarek
Sales
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Great question!
Take chances earlier in your career, when you don't have as many responsibilities which can emotionally burden you in the future - and I'm not talking about a "bad" burden, but things that make you less prone to taking on risks like a mortgage or a family.
So, if you want to travel? Travel. Yes, bad example in the world as it is today, but it will open again soon. Hopefully. But I can tell you traveling early in my career opened my eyes to having to work with different people in different cultures & I am grateful for the experience. Words of advice? Even if you don't know how to speak the language, learn common pleasantries. Hello. Good morning. Thank you. It goes a long way & shows respect.
Also, understand that the career you start upon is not the one you'll take on your entire journey. Every career develops, as you evolve and your interests evolve. This is something that should be taught sooner. That eventually you'll need to be a manager or a product owner or a business owner. Does anyone want to do the same thing for 30-40 years anymore? I hope not.
One more bit of advice, leverage your network and maintain it. The people you know, the people they know. Being connected. And as your career evolves, so will theirs. It's interesting to see how far reaching your relationships can be, and where they can take you. Later in your career, I find, opportunities present themselves based on who you know & your qualifications are what you know.
Best of luck! Cheers.
Take chances earlier in your career, when you don't have as many responsibilities which can emotionally burden you in the future - and I'm not talking about a "bad" burden, but things that make you less prone to taking on risks like a mortgage or a family.
So, if you want to travel? Travel. Yes, bad example in the world as it is today, but it will open again soon. Hopefully. But I can tell you traveling early in my career opened my eyes to having to work with different people in different cultures & I am grateful for the experience. Words of advice? Even if you don't know how to speak the language, learn common pleasantries. Hello. Good morning. Thank you. It goes a long way & shows respect.
Also, understand that the career you start upon is not the one you'll take on your entire journey. Every career develops, as you evolve and your interests evolve. This is something that should be taught sooner. That eventually you'll need to be a manager or a product owner or a business owner. Does anyone want to do the same thing for 30-40 years anymore? I hope not.
One more bit of advice, leverage your network and maintain it. The people you know, the people they know. Being connected. And as your career evolves, so will theirs. It's interesting to see how far reaching your relationships can be, and where they can take you. Later in your career, I find, opportunities present themselves based on who you know & your qualifications are what you know.
Best of luck! Cheers.
Jami Huber
nurse
51
Answers
Lindenhurst, Illinois
Updated
Jami’s Answer
I am not sure what your career choices are but I would advise not to be overly confident and always be able to ask questions. Continue learning and accept constructive critism.
Patricia Mulligan
Manager - Digital Experience Management
9
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Hi Jessica
I wish you the best in your future career, whatever it may be.
From working in the business world for over 20 years I would say some early mistakes I made were :
- Not understanding the importance of managing upward and managing expectations.
- Study my leadership members and their patterns to anticipate where they were going to zig so that I could counter with a zag.
If you are given a task and for some reason complete it you need to be prepared with an explanation for why (because they will ask). Have a path forward and timeline mapped out of when you will get it for them or get them a close alternative.
Ability to zag to your bosses zig cannot be stressed enough. You study your leadership with co workers and observe what common questions they will ask and how they respond to the answers. A perfect example is to watch a few episodes of Shark Tank. The sharks ask similar questions to the guests each time they make their pitch. If the guests are giving an answer the sharks won't like they often have a follow up or alternative option that they try to stress.
If you know your leaderships patterns you can anticipate and counter. Sometimes it is not with your boss but with higher leadership or internal customers in the form of other departments. Know what they want and be prepared.
Hope this helps.
Tricia
I wish you the best in your future career, whatever it may be.
From working in the business world for over 20 years I would say some early mistakes I made were :
- Not understanding the importance of managing upward and managing expectations.
- Study my leadership members and their patterns to anticipate where they were going to zig so that I could counter with a zag.
If you are given a task and for some reason complete it you need to be prepared with an explanation for why (because they will ask). Have a path forward and timeline mapped out of when you will get it for them or get them a close alternative.
Ability to zag to your bosses zig cannot be stressed enough. You study your leadership with co workers and observe what common questions they will ask and how they respond to the answers. A perfect example is to watch a few episodes of Shark Tank. The sharks ask similar questions to the guests each time they make their pitch. If the guests are giving an answer the sharks won't like they often have a follow up or alternative option that they try to stress.
If you know your leaderships patterns you can anticipate and counter. Sometimes it is not with your boss but with higher leadership or internal customers in the form of other departments. Know what they want and be prepared.
Hope this helps.
Tricia