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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:
MrsGatsby99 · 27/12/2021 21:02

Got a degree and postgrad.
Learnt to speak and act in an assertive manner more often. (Work in progress, tbh)
Put the time in.
Learning how to move onto the next thing in terms of tasks.

howley1 · 27/12/2021 21:24

Bit of a sad one; but have absolutely no loyalty to a company and / or workmates. I've always moved and left places I've enjoyed working because there was a step up available. friends ultimately leave the workplace too so although I've missed them, had I stayed they would have left me there.

and I've always asked (and got) at least 10k more per new workplace.

Kite22 · 27/12/2021 21:26

Qualified in the first place.....

but then, I'd say kept working after I had my dc. I've never not worked, although have worked PT for some time.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
namechangeagain32 · 27/12/2021 21:27

@howley1 yes same, I've never stayed in a job longer than 3 years, usually much less. Loyalty rarely pays in my experience, I take the opportunities as they arise, wherever they come from. I'm hopeful my most recent role will have more opportunities available without needing to leave, but if I can get to the next grade quicker (in the same sector) elsewhere, I will.

allofthecheese · 27/12/2021 21:32

Went to uni (a work placement/study type of thing) and gained a qualification for a very specific job. As soon as I graduated I left the toxic work place I was in and moved on to a much better place where I've been happy. Pleased I used the toxic place to gain what I needed though, as it wouldn't have been possible otherwise.

Luxembourgmama · 27/12/2021 21:39

Marry a supportive husband. Keep upskilling. Keep applying despite PFOs

DillonPanthersTexas · 27/12/2021 21:40

Took an overseas work placement

TravellingSpoon · 27/12/2021 21:49

Work for a Local Authority who pay for qualifications, CPD and pay enhancements.

BananaPant · 27/12/2021 21:51

@AntennaReborn

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.

You sound lovely

AntennaReborn · 27/12/2021 21:55

@BananaPant thank you Blush

bettertimesarecomingnow · 27/12/2021 22:04

Did a post grad teaching course and retrained as a teacher.

CrumblyCrimble · 27/12/2021 22:04

Got a professional qualification.
Said yes to any extra responsibilities or promotion, even if it took me into an area I wasn't mad about.
This year I was offered a better paid job at a competitor, then stayed at current workplace but used the job offer as leverage to negotiate a better package.

I'm one for climbing the corporate ladder. If you are after more in the way of purposeful fulfilment then a different strategy is needed!

USaYwHatNow · 27/12/2021 22:04

Left the profession, had a career break, and came back 2 years later with a totally different mindset.

CrumblyCrimble · 27/12/2021 22:09

Oh and always in down senior colleague for a coffee and pump them for advice. What do they see as your development areas? How did they get where they want to be?
Not only do you benefit from the advice, often you also gain a senior ally who will advocate for you without you even asking or knowing about it. And you'll usually get some good gossip about what's going on in the organisation. Good for spotting opportunities.

Lemonlady22 · 27/12/2021 22:16

Medically retire..it was killing me!

Animood · 27/12/2021 22:17

@howley1

Bit of a sad one; but have absolutely no loyalty to a company and / or workmates. I've always moved and left places I've enjoyed working because there was a step up available. friends ultimately leave the workplace too so although I've missed them, had I stayed they would have left me there.

and I've always asked (and got) at least 10k more per new workplace.

Sounds harsh but you got to be like this.

Workmates aren't going to pay your bills in your old age or pay off the mortgage.

blueshoes · 27/12/2021 22:17
  • Always kept my hand in despite having 2 dcs.
  • Like other posters, I went for the money and promotions, rather than loyalty to a company. Went back ft once dcs were in school. Did not quite quadruple my salary but tripled it. I am now at the seniority I feel comfortable at and don't need to advance any more (Peter Principle, lol!). The faster your pay advances, the earlier you can retire. That is my next stage, earning loads if I can for another 5 years and then downshift gradually into retirement.
  • I don't burn bridges. However unhappy I was, I always left on a cordial note with my boss and collesgues and did not diss my previous firm.
Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas · 27/12/2021 22:17

I was on my dicta phone in labour, first one was a dream but it still physically took me too long to recover and get back in the office (two weeks).
Second time I asked for an elc and I did my research.
Different kind of pain but didn't affect me sitting down, so I was back in after a week.

Didn't miss a beat, salary reflected this.

I can buy better clothes, jewelry, hot water taps, better car, better holidays.
Pension looking good too just praying I don't die at 65 like dm.

Noshowlomo · 29/12/2021 09:45

Some good advice on this thread. I need a major career overhaul this year!!

SkylarFerris · 29/12/2021 12:29

Earned more qualifications
Applied for a promotion
Bought a whole new work wardrobe of clothes

Onatree · 29/12/2021 19:00

Am beginnng to think the OP is just after some easy “journalism”

PegasusReturns · 29/12/2021 19:09
  1. Got a coach
  2. Had therapy
  3. Started actively promoting myself. Always.
  4. Stopped trying to be friends with colleagues
  5. Devoted serious amounts of time to networking, building relationships and thinking politically about my own career trajectory.

I went from successful to seriously successful in the space of a couple of years.

Immaculatemisconception · 29/12/2021 19:13

I did a degree and a post-grad.

Original poster
user463876887 · 30/12/2021 18:18

Some interesting replies and common themes running through the answers, one of the most prevalent seems to be taking a short maternity leave. I did the same after both of mine.

@PegasusReturns - the networking/promoting myself is at the top of my list right now and for 2022....but I'm not very good at it and need to find some specific advice on how to go about doing it

OP posts:
anotherneutralname · 30/12/2021 18:43

Invested in my own training (did qualifications outside work time) then used that to leverage interesting opportunities at work.

Focused on doing my very best work no matter what the task (below, at, or above my pay grade) which meant I earned the trust of senior colleagues.

The single most important thing was building credibility and trust with a small but core group, and then maintaining those important working relationships.

(I took a full year off when I became a parent - but I also completed a training certification while off, so when I returned I could take a step up within the same employer.)