Tips for Navigating Early Career Challenges

Early Lessons That Make a Difference Occasionally, I have the privilege of speaking with new graduates or employees who have just started their first job. The question they most often ask me is, "If you could go back and give your younger self advice, what would it be?" I never have enough time to answer this question fully, and I always leave thinking of things I forgot to mention. With that in mind, I wrote down a few pieces of advice that would have made a difference in my career. - Speak up! Don't let being new stop you. The fact that you are new gives you a unique and valuable perspective. Even if something seems obvious, don't hesitate to call it out and voice your opinion. Having a voice at work will strengthen your influence and get you noticed. - Don't prioritize work over your health. You might feel pressured to skip exercise and sleep to complete more work. This is a lousy tradeoff that will ultimately negatively impact your productivity, work quality, and well-being. Well-rested, healthy people perform better. - If you find yourself stuck, step away and return to it later. Taking a break can help refresh your perspective and give your brain a chance to work on the issue subconsciously. It may seem counterintuitive, but doing something else might be the quickest way to solve your problem. - Talk to everyone you can. Now is the time to invest in building your network. The people at the desks next to you are tomorrow's CEOs and industry leaders. It's easy to do. Most people like it when you are curious about their work and are more than happy to converse. - Your teammates are invaluable resources. Get to know the folks around you. Wisdom abounds, so learn from them. Understanding what has worked and not worked for others can be a big career shortcut. - Start making decisions, and try not to introduce new ones. Only ask if you know you have to. "Can I do x?" introduces a new decision, and you risk getting blocked. Instead, do it. Take ownership. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission, but always weigh the risks. - The best way to learn (from someone) is to offer help. Find someone you want to learn from and be useful to them. People are more inclined to invest in you if you offer them something in return. - Talk to the executives. As a junior engineer, I felt nervous speaking to senior leaders. As a senior, I notice people are nervous to engage with me. Those who do stand out, and we often have the best conversations where we both learn new things. So, be bold and make high-level connections. - Set clear goals. Having a waypoint on which to focus your career will help clarify what you need to do. The more specific your goals are, the better your chances of achieving them. - Success is a team sport. It's hard to be successful without the support of others. That means it's essential for you to be a good teammate. Listen to what others say, try to make others successful, and most importantly–don't be a jerk.

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

Four years ago, I was navigating post-grad life, managing my finances and budgeting for my lifestyle, thinking about professional development, and charting my next steps (I'm always thinking about what's coming next 😅 ) If I could go back and tell Ang of 2021 a few things, here's what I'd tell her ⬇️ ✅ At the end of the day, you are in charge People will always have opinions about the job you have, the decisions you make, and whether or not you're making the right decisions for your future. Trust your instinct, lean into your values and boundaries, and remember that career advice is just that: advice. Use what serves you, and leave what doesn't. ✅ Your unique qualities are your competitive advantage Fitting into boxes that weren't made for you is going to get exhausting. The quirks, perspectives, and approaches that make you, you, are exactly what will set you apart in your career. Embrace them from the start, and activate your network as you work to make them stand out. ✅ Networking isn't about collecting names, LinkedIn connections, or business cards Networking is about building genuine relationships with people whose work you admire. Send that genuine LinkedIn message. Comment thoughtfully on posts. Attend events that pique your interest and your desire to nurture your network. Show up authentically, and opportunities will follow. ✅ Document your wins as they happen Keep a running list of your accomplishments, feedback, and impact. Future you (especially during performance reviews and job searches) will thank you for this. Your resume is important, but a running log of your achievements will pay dividends as you ask for a promotion, find your next role, or strive to stand out. I bet many of us would tell our early career selves something different if we had a do-over. What would you tell your past self about navigating early career life? 🤔 #EarlyCareer #CareerAdvice

After many years leading high-performing finance teams 🏢💼, I've seen talented junior professionals make mistakes that can hold back their careers. Based on my experience, here are the 3 biggest pitfalls to avoid if you want to set yourself up for long-term success in finance roles: 1️⃣ Getting Too Heads-Down 👩💻📉 It's easy when starting out to put your head down, grind through tasks, and not come up for air. But you miss critical context about business priorities that shape decisions. Take time to understand company goals, competitive landscape, and how your analysis translates into impact. Ask yourself - why are your tasks strategically important? 2️⃣ Lacking Commercial Context 📈⏰ Mastering the hard technical finance skills is crucial but not enough. You need business fluency to understand performance drivers, communicate insights simply 📊, and influence decisions. Make effort to learn the basics of sales, marketing, product - ask peers about their roles and pain points. 3️⃣ Failing to Translate Numbers into Insights 📉💡 Finance professionals have a treasure trove of data at their fingertips. But leaders don't make decisions based on numbers alone - they want your insights and recommendations based on analysis. Storytelling with data is an art and a key CFO skill. Always share the "so what" behind the numbers! The future top CFOs will bridge technical expertise with commercial strategy and leadership. 💼Avoiding these early career pitfalls will set you up for success as a rising finance star! ⭐ Have you faced any similar challenges? Would love to hear experiences and connect. #CFOInsights #FinancialLeadership #CareerAdvice #RisingStar

The Young Influencer: How to Lead Without Authority Early on in your career, the landscape can feel daunting. You're surrounded by experienced colleagues, some of whom could be your parents' age! How do you, a fresh face with limited authority, influence them and get things done? The answer lies not in your title, but in your ability to provide value. This was a lesson I learned early on. As a young project coordinator, I found myself wrangling seasoned department heads, all 15+ years my senior. Suddenly, barking orders wasn't an option. Instead, I had to develop my influence toolkit. Here are some key strategies: 1. Become an Information Powerhouse: Knowledge is power. Deeply understand your project's goals, potential roadblocks, and industry trends. This allows you to anticipate their needs and provide solutions before they become problems. Think of yourself as a trusted advisor, not just someone who assigns tasks. 2. Focus on Shared Success: Frame your work as a collaborative effort for the greater good of the company. Highlight how your project benefits their specific department and their goals. By fostering alignment and demonstrating a win-win mentality, you create a more receptive environment. 3. Become a Master Communicator: Clear, concise, and compelling communication is crucial. Tailor your message to each stakeholder, addressing their specific concerns and priorities. Actively listen to their feedback, and be prepared to answer questions and address doubts. 4. Build Relationships, Not Just Reports: Take the time to connect with your colleagues on a human level. Get to know their work styles, understand their challenges, and celebrate their successes. These genuine relationships build trust and foster a sense of mutual respect, making them more receptive to your ideas. Lead by Example: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to go the extra mile. People are more likely to follow someone they admire and trust. Being the "young gun" in a team can be a double-edged sword. It may limit your direct authority, but it also forces you to develop critical soft skills. You become a master communicator, a builder of relationships, and an expert at navigating influence without a title. These skills will serve you well throughout your career, making you a valuable asset in any team dynamic. Remember, leadership isn't about a title; it's about the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve a common goal. And that, my friend, is a skill that transcends age and experience. #YoungProfessional #Leadership #SoftSkills #Communication #Influence #RelationshipBuilding #CareerTips #EarlyCareers #NoTitleNeeded #LeadByExample

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?

You graduated college and landed your first real job. Now what? This transition from student to professional can feel like a shock. No one is truly prepared for how different the work world would be. Let me share advice I wish someone told me during my first months as a new grad employee. I hope these tips could help to navigate this exciting yet challenging period. => Set clear goals. The path after college lacks the structure. Ask yourself what do you want to achieve in your career. Then bream big aspirations into smaller achievements. These mini-goals create momentum and show progress. Each small win builds toward larger success. => Document your accomplishments. Your boss will not notice everything you do. Start a work journal now. Record technical wins, collaboration victories, and communication successes. This write up helps during performance reviews and promotion discussions. Your record becomes powerful evidence of your growth. => Learn the promotion criteria at your company. Map your goals to these expectations. Connect your documented achievements to the skills needed for promotion. This approach changes career growth from mysterious to manageable. => Build relationships across teams. Your network matters more than you realize. Schedule coffee chats with colleagues from different departments. These connections provide context about how the company functions. Plus, allies in other areas can champion your work. => Ask questions (without fear). Smart professionals constantly seek knowledge. No one expects you to know everything as a new graduate. Your fresh perspective might help with noticing improvements others miss. => Find the balance between independence and seeking help. Show initiative by attempting solutions before asking for supporr. Then bring specific questions rather than vague / utter confusion. This approach shows both effort and judgment. What other advice helped you during your first job? Feel free to share :)

I used to think career success was a ladder – until life taught me it’s more like a winding path. Embracing detours has been one of the most valuable lessons in my career journey. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝟭𝟬 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿: ➡️ Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities Growth often comes from roles you didn’t plan for. ↳ Say yes to projects outside your comfort zone – they may lead to your next big move. ➡️ View Setbacks as Stepping Stones A career “pause” or shift isn’t failure; it’s redirection. ↳ Reflect on what a setback taught you and how it prepares you for what’s next. ➡️ Build Skills, Not Just Titles Skills you pick up in one role can unlock opportunities in another. ↳ Focus on mastering transferable skills that keep you versatile. ➡️ Network Beyond Your Industry Career paths often connect through unexpected people. ↳ Invest in relationships outside your current role – it’s often who you know that opens doors. ➡️ Prioritize Personal Growth Over Promotions True career fulfillment comes from alignment, not titles. ↳ Ask yourself, “Is this role helping me become who I want to be?” ➡️ Accept the "Side Step" as Forward Movement A lateral move can be strategic if it brings you closer to your goals. ↳ Seek roles that build critical experience, even if they aren’t an immediate step up. ➡️ Stay Curious About New Fields Sometimes your passion doesn’t align with your degree or background. ↳ Explore areas of interest, even if they don’t “fit” your current role. Curiosity can lead to big shifts. ➡️ Create Value Where You Are Meaningful impact can open doors faster than climbing ladders. ↳ Focus on making a difference in your current role, even if it’s not your end goal. ➡️ Pace Yourself – There’s No Deadline Success is a marathon, not a sprint. ↳ Trust your timeline and avoid comparing your progress to others. Career paths are deeply personal. ➡️ Remember – Growth Can Be Nonlinear Each role and experience adds layers to your unique path. ↳ Embrace every twist and turn; they’re all part of your story. The straight-line career is a myth. Embrace the detours – sometimes, they’re where you find your greatest success. Quote: Gary Tan -- ♻️ Find this helpful? Repost to remind others that career paths are unique. ➕ Follow me Nico for tips on designing an intentional and fulfilling career path.

I get a lot of messages asking for advice on navigating this challenging job market. Here’s my perspective: use these experiences to build resilience, sharpen your ability to pivot, and reshape how you respond to setbacks. Even as a Talent Acquisition professional, I still receive those tough ‘no, thank you’ emails. Recently, I went through an interview process where the hiring team rescheduled three times. After two interviews, the recruiter and hiring manager went silent—no feedback, no follow-up. While disappointing, every experience can offer valuable lessons that make us stronger and more prepared for the next opportunity. My top 3 takeaways from this experience: 1. Know when to walk away: When the interview was rescheduled multiple times, it was a signal to reconsider. If the roles were reversed, my candidacy likely wouldn’t have been given the same flexibility. Set boundaries early on. 2. Expect mutual respect: Lack of follow-up from a manager or recruiter reflects a lack of respect. Candidates who reach the interview stage are typically among a small, qualified group. As recruiters, we should make a genuine effort to update applicants—it’s the professional thing to do. 3. Use every experience to prepare: These tough moments can be stepping stones. Pay attention to early red flags, clarify your expectations just as the recruiters shares theirs, and use each experience to refine your approach. Remember, every challenge builds character. Happy hunting, and let’s keep pushing forward!

Want to make your first 90 days in a new role a success? Start with these 3 simple tips.   Starting a new job is never easy. Even if you’ve done similar work before, every company is different. New environment, new processes, new people; everything feels unfamiliar at first. And let’s be honest, it’s not just about the tasks. As a new colleague, you face a triple challenge: ➡️ The role itself is new. ➡️ You feel like your manager and your mentors are watching every move. ➡️ You have high expectations of yourself; you want to prove your value quickly. Over the past 20 years, I’ve mentored many new colleagues in different roles and teams. Here are the 3 most important tips I always share with them: 1️⃣ Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand something or even if you’re just not sure ask for clarification. It’s much better to double-check than to do something wrong. Nobody will think you are not good enough. In fact, asking shows responsibility and professionalism. 2️⃣ Build relationships from day one. Learning fast is important but building strong relationships is even more important. Most work today is done in teams. Introduce yourself, connect with your colleagues, and show that you’re open and approachable. Don’t wait, take the first step. 3️⃣ Stay humble. Of course, you want to show that you’re capable. But pushing too hard or trying to be in the spotlight too soon can backfire. Instead, focus on listening, learning, and contributing in a balanced way. Your results will speak for you. If you follow these 3 simple tips, your first 90 days won’t be a stressful challenge, they will become the foundation for your long-term success. #CareerMoment #LinkedInNewsEurope