Here are some valuable tips based on his sage advice to help you find your next job or continue your career success.
If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Well
Whether it was continued practice to perfect a skill in sports or pushing to get that homework assignment completed, Dad was always quick to say that “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”
This is true — not only with your job search, but also with your continued career success. Your level of effort and your passion for continuous improvement become a critical part of . They demonstrate your work ethic to a potential employer. If you need to network to find a new job, take it seriously and do it well.
Dream Big Dreams
It’s important to have lofty dreams. Aim high. You may not always reach the top, but you will likely get further than if you didn’t try at all.
Dad always said “you can do anything if you want it badly enough.” If you’re willing to make the commitment to gain the necessary skills, to obtain the appropriate knowledge and training, and to build a strong support network, you can make significant progress on the road to those dreams.
Being complacent in your job or your job search can undermine your success. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Keep dreaming and keep working to make those dreams come true.
There’s No Substitute for Hard Work
If you want something in life or your career, be prepared to work for it. If you’re willing to put in the effort, you will likely make progress towards your goals. You can’t expect that promotions or high-visibility projects will be handed to you.
You have to earn those opportunities by working hard, delivering results, keeping commitments and being the person who people want to work with on projects. Build a reputation as someone with good ideas and a strong track record of execution and implementation.
Integrity Matters
Dad knew what he was talking about when he told you it can take years to build your professional and personal reputation, but it can all be ruined in a matter of minutes. Just watch the news and you’ll see countless example of people who make poor decisions or act inappropriately, along with the resulting damage to their reputations.
Always be honest, even if it’s hard to deliver bad news. You will be respected for having the courage to do so. Meet your commitments — do what you promised to do when you promised to do it. Treat people with respect along the way. Trying to make yourself look good by making others look bad is not a strategy for success in the long run. When in doubt, the ultimate test of a decision is, “Would approve?”
Dads takes pride in our success and did their best to prepare us well along the way. Heed this valuable career advice, regardless of whether you’re entering the working world or embarking on a new career path, and you’ll make him proud.
What’s your favorite “Dad advice”? Share in the comments!
Image: