5 Pieces of Career Advice to Help You Progress

1. Set goals and review them regularly

In order to excel and meet your career goals, you need to know exactly where you want to be in the next two to three years. Know what your overall goal is, but set smaller, incremental goals and review your progress annually.

2. Network widely 

While it is important to network within your industry and field, it can be equally beneficial to network outside of your department and industry. Many industries and career paths can benefit from a “boundaryless” approach to networking. Approach people from all walks of life in connecting or parallel industries. You can network broadly by inviting people outside of your direct workgroup to lunch, undertaking collaborative hobbies, attending conferences and seminars, or even via social media networks like LinkedIn.

3. Learn to take criticism well 

This is the best career advice that you will receive. As you progress along your career path, you will come across supervisors and managers who will have criticisms of your techniques, abilities, or even your approach. Learn to take constructive criticism gracefully and learn from it, rather than viewing it as an obstacle. In most cases, people who offer criticism aim to help you improve. When someone has a critique to offer, ask them questions and take a collaborative approach to improvement.

4. Maintain a positive attitude

Though this is simple, it is very good career advice. Maintaining a positive, proactive approach to your career will help you open doors that might otherwise have been closed. Try to reframe failures and setbacks as learning opportunities and you will certainly start to experience positive career development.

5. Seek a good work-life balance 

Burnout is one of the most common and concerning health issues facing the working population today. While hard work and consistency are crucial to success, your health is also important. Meeting your long-term goals means being able to sustain your efforts. Make a clearly defined line between your work life and your personal life to ensure that you do not burn out.