Here at Bright HQ, we speak to hundreds of talented Bright Network members like yourself every week. It’s a competitive world out there – and we’re always looking for new ways to help you get ahead.
Here are our top five tips to help you on your way to standing out from the crowd:
1. Take opportunities as they come
Fortune favours the brave – if you are presented with an opportunity, whether that is an opportunity to volunteer, work on a project or maintain a part time job – take it. Even if the opportunity may not seem immediately linked to the future career you want to build, you can pick up vital skills.
2. Explore, explore, explore
Unless you have always known what you want to do, it’s likely that you are weighing up a few career options. Nothing will help you firm up your future career path than personal experience - even if you complete an internship in an industry that you now realise isn’t for you, you’ve still learnt something very valuable. Knowing what you don’t like is as important as knowing what you do like.
3. There is no substitute for hard work
It was once said that ‘an overnight success is ten years in the making’. No one ever got by on their smarts alone – you need to be dedicated, business-ready and willing to put in the hours. Like everything else in life, the more time you put into your career, the more you will get out of it.
4. A little friendliness goes along way
Throughout your career, you will work alongside other people, and a little friendliness goes a long way to fostering good teamwork and to getting the best out of others. Whether learning from your manager, networking with senior staff or helping out a new member of staff on your first day, being personable with others is vital in your career to get ahead.
5. Learn from every experience
Above all, no matter what stage of education or age you are, those who are keen to learn are leagues above those who are just going through the motions. Keep a notepad on you at all times to note down any interesting bits of information or key learnings you come across along the way.