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Original poster

what's the best thing you did for your career?

98 replies

user463876887 · 27/12/2021 19:00

for instance,

learn a new skill
get better at marketing yourself (professional linkedin profile)
be a better networker

.. .. etc.

For me, I'm going to focus on the latter two for 2022.

OP posts:

Bearsbearsbears40 · 27/12/2021 19:56

I applied for a job two grades above my grade at the time, as I was having no luck with applications at the next grade. I went into the interview thinking it was already a big win just to get selected. I was relaxed enough (and knowledgable enough) to get it. As a pp has noted, I just thought, blow it, I’m applying for a senior post and that’s that. I had a dream the other day that I left this job to go back to my old job and I actually woke up from the dream in a cold sweat! I love my job just now.

DukeofEarlGrey · 27/12/2021 19:56

Two things:

Retrained for a new profession at 35. Hard work doing a part-time MSc in a new field whilst working full-time but has paid massive dividends within 5 years and been a total game-changer.

Been prepared to walk away when my employer was no longer delivering. I was a high performer being made all kinds of promises and was incredibly loyal. It took being the target of bullying to make me leave but once I did I discovered that my earning power is actually much higher than I realised and that there are better places to do what I do. My old firm told me constantly how lucky I was to be there but it turned out that they needed me more than I needed them.

AntennaReborn · 27/12/2021 19:58

Stay in work after having DD. I stepped down to a lower grade but it was easier to move up again when I was ready than having to re-enter the world of work.

Be dependable and true to my word

Be nice to people. If someone is wearing a nice tie or dress, I compliment them. Ditto if someone does a good job. It's amazing how many great working relationships started with me being nice

Be a good line manager (high standards, but fair and supportive), and always happy to support my staff's personal development. I now have a network of former employees in influencial places who remember that I helped their careers

Try and anticipate which problems my manager and his manager will need me to solve, and start working on it before they ask.

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Jobs

Onatree · 27/12/2021 20:03

The best thing I did for my career was -

Not pause, slow down or even consider reducing work after 6 month maternity leave for baby 1.

Not pause, slow down or even consider reducing work after 6 month maternity leave for baby 2.

The babies are respectively 6 and 2 now, and I think back to these decisions and think “phew. Thank FUCK I did what I did”.

TiddlesTheTiger · 27/12/2021 20:04

Did voluntary work in social care one day a week, while working part time.
Then got work in social care based on experience & reference from the voluntary work.

AnnaSW1 · 27/12/2021 20:04

Fake sincerity

batmanladybird · 27/12/2021 20:04

Recognise that I am
Not as indispensable to one company as I believed
Know my worth. Then add tax

minipie · 27/12/2021 20:08

Got senior before having DC. This made it so much easier to negotiate part time, afford good reliable childcare, and to get back into decent work after a period as SAHM.

Xmasbaby11 · 27/12/2021 20:09

Went part time and did a masters.

Moved countries several times, eventually to a new job in a great department (University).

Took on different roles to stretch me.

All of those things really.

LittleGungHo · 27/12/2021 20:12

Always say yes- even to SLJ's Shitty Little Jobs. I have cleaned spreadsheets/ sorted fonts in presentations/ photocopied. Was seen as adaptable and dependable and put on bigger projects.

Started work later- and was in the office in the evening. Seen by seniors and saw that I worked hard.

Used the experience gained from the above to move companies (after updating my LinkedIn Profile and befriending recruiters for a 60% pay increase.

LittleGungHo · 27/12/2021 20:12

@JohnSmithDrive

I think it was doing favours. I've always been happy to help anyone and probably there have been times people have taken advantage, but overall it's made for a happy working life and having a bank of return favours "owed" is like a super power.

I think people, particularly women, are sometimes over concerned about not been walked over.

FWIW I worked in a very male dominated , testosterone fueled industry for 25 years then a career change and now nearing retirement.

I completely agree. 100%

Savoury · 27/12/2021 20:21

Kept working after having kids, even with periods of being part-time.

When a (female) boss asked when I was going to go full-time to get the job I wanted- a truth that no-one else would tell me - I thanked her, made a decision to go full time and took the promotion. I really appreciated her honesty which allowed me to make up my own mind. I’ve never looked back.

LawnFever · 27/12/2021 20:23

Went for jobs at a company/industry I wanted to work in and worked my way to the role I wanted.

OublietteBravo · 27/12/2021 20:25

Kept working FT even when childcare costs were crippling.

Retraining (including professional qualifications) whilst working FT with two nursery-aged children.

Putting extra into my pension every time I got a promotion or a pay rise.

MissAmbrosia · 27/12/2021 20:26

Go back FT after maternity leave. Did all the training offered. Stayed on good terms with everyone as you never know (especially in a big company) who will turn out to be the next big boss/important person on a project. A small thing from years back was a course I did on Transactional Analysis / dealing with difficult people. It was quite life changing at the time. Ditto learning to take a deep breath and get on with things even if outside your comfort zone - fake it until you make I suppose.

Puffykins · 27/12/2021 20:29

I'm a journalist, so...
1.) learn to touch type, super fast
2.) thorough research, every time
2.) never miss a deadline

TheDrWillSeeYouNow · 27/12/2021 20:30

Married a man who does half the mental load/childcare/housework.

Didn't go part time or de-prioritise my career for his after having DC.

GiltEdges · 27/12/2021 20:31

@Animood

Had absolutely no loyalty to any particular firm. If they didn't promote me when I was ready for the promotion I moved firm for a better title/ better work/ better salary. Absolutely mercenary but in the last ten years my salary has quadrupled.

This, 100%. Also, going back to work FT after having DS.

Unicornocopia · 27/12/2021 20:32

Master's degree.

Queenie6655 · 27/12/2021 20:35

@redtshirt50

Started working for myself.

Has taken lots of hard work but I'm finally getting there and am starting to reap some of the benefits.

Yes exactly same here

The amount of shit and free work I did for my LA
Makes me so angry now

Life is so much easier and peaceful

namechangeagain32 · 27/12/2021 20:36

Kept working when I had children and didn't take my foot off the gas, always looking at my next move even when I'm enjoying the job I'm in- looking for similar skills and experience that relate to my role but will open up more opportunities in future.

But the best thing I did was make a side step move from one sector to a more technical one that is much more valued and as such more in demand and financially lucrative.

CouldThisReallyBe · 27/12/2021 20:38

The best thing I did for my career (12 years ago now) was choosing the big company (out of a choice of two offers). I've had so many internal opportunities to grow and the focus on learning and development has been second to none.

Animood · 27/12/2021 20:47

@Teenagetrouble

Have also quadrupled my salary over 10 years as per the previous poster

Wooo! Go us!

HerBigChance · 27/12/2021 20:52

Advocate for myself much more.

Be a good line manager: as well as nurturing and developing others, you learn so much about yourself during the process. You also have a team of people who will blow your trumpet for you.

Acknowledge that work is essentially a game and try not to take the politicking and personalities too seriously.

JennyForeigner · 27/12/2021 20:58

Had kids. Nothing to prove but I know why I'm there. No time to waste dicking about in work hours.

(I might have been a bit immature before tho, and it isn't so much the kids as having something bigger than work outside of it)

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