25 people over 30 are giving valuable professional advice that everyone needs to know
Understanding the work culture may be hard for the newbies in the corporate world, so these tips are the need of the hour.
In a world where everything is unpredictable, including the nature of jobs, people need to stay well ahead of the competition. Learning how to ace the professional life is the first step to it. Whatever people's professions may be, they must have a few tricks up their sleeves to drive their career growth. There are many hidden elements that one needs to watch out for and people with experience in the corporate world know best about it.
Apart from delivering a good performance in their jobs, people need to understand what factors would support their career growth. People above 30 years of age might have a good awareness of corporate life now as they must've had a good number of years as a professional. So when @yoadri_n asked on X, "30+ folks, what is your best piece of professional advice?" hundreds of great responses swarmed in. Here are the 25 best professional advice curated to catalyze your career:
1. Know your worth
Loyalty is a one-way street sometimes. Realize that you may have to leave where you're at to get what you're worth.
— DBxRT (Random Thoughts) (@Okitech623) January 16, 2024
2. Failure is a stepping stone
I have a list lol but I’ll chime in here to say:
— ZACK! (@I_Am_Zackk) January 15, 2024
Sometimes to go forward, you need to be willing to take a step back
3. Never stop trying
Always apply for the job or promotion you want. The worst they can say is no. You may surprise yourself on how qualified you actually are!
— Sam Peebles (@SPeeblesSports) January 17, 2024
4. Be a great marketeer
Learn to sell. Learn to sell. Learn to sell. 10X Rule. Apply it to your, well, everything. Goals, work, physical fitness, spiritual, relationships (not necessarily in that order). @GrantCardone
— kc ashmore (@kcashmore1) January 16, 2024
5. Take ownership
Try to really own things so your boss doesn’t have to, and do it with a positive attitude. A good manager will see and elevate you.
— Rick (@rickasaurus) January 17, 2024
6. Ask for what you deserve
Hiring someone takes effort time and money, keeping someone is cheaper.. don’t be afraid to ask for a raise or set your foot down for something you believe in. They won’t fire you that easy
— JoeBlack2k.eth (@JoeBlack2k) January 17, 2024
7. Make yourself indispensable
Analyze yourself, what is a talent that few other people have? You don’t need to make it your career but use it in your career path.
— SmartAss (@OldUncaDave) January 17, 2024
I am a terrific cook, mom taught me and I always host Thanksgiving for my family (35+).
Office Potlucks are my safety valve. Everyone in the office…
8. Maintain a good relationship
Be nice to the receptionist and janitor. They know EVERYTHING about EVERYONE that works there
— sheologian (@sheologian) January 15, 2024
9. Be your crusader
Self advocate. Track your wins, get good with telling your narrative - craft your elevator pitch. Make whoever you report into keep your one on ones, send agendas for your one on ones (share your impact, what support you need, future development goals), learn how to network.
— just jas (@justqualajay) January 15, 2024
10. Boundaries are crucial
Learn how to give minimal information with a smile. Any & all shared information will be used against you later.
— FckTheeSquad-KidsB4Guns (@SBelleHtown) January 16, 2024
Learn boundaries. You not the work mule
Observe more than you talk
Engage in staff lunches/potlucks about 30-40%. It's enough to be seen, but not get burnt out
11. Never compromise on health
ALWAYS REMEMBER - these organizations will extract as much as they can from you and when they're done, they will replace you without a second thought. Please don't give your health or mental well being to them. And leave places that harm you.
— Alli Myatt (@SingOutAlli) January 15, 2024
12. Don't be a snitch
Don't snitch on your coworkers. Don't police their breaks or productivity. I'm not talking about hostile workplace or sexual harassment (HR is not on your side tho so be very careful). You'll bring way more scrutiny on yourself and you know very well that you're not perfect.
— Felicia Hart, She-Dog of Anarchy (@felicia_hart13) January 16, 2024
13. Make smart decisions
- Don’t forego contributing to your 401(K) and open a secondary Roth IRA. Match your company’s rate.
— Christine O. (@christineodun) January 15, 2024
- Postpone that MBA degree for your late 20s-early 30s. Gain 5-7 years of solid experience/professional licences or certifications.
14. Prioritize yourself
at the end of the day, your job, company, CEO, etc. will always prioritize their profits and success over yours, so don't feel too bad about prioritizing yourself over them 👍 you're not a bad person if you dont pull late-nights or dont volunteer for unpaid extra work
— Dom. 🟦 (@virtualdom_) January 17, 2024
15. Keep up the ethics
Be an ethical, generous person. Some will try to take advantage but just be a decent human being, staff or freelance. People DO notice, appreciate and remember. We will all need help at some point, maybe several -- the greedy climbers will seek it in vain.
— Caitlin Kelly: career journalist, writing coach (@CaitlinKellyNYC) January 15, 2024
16. Learn to appreciate
People covered a lot of the basics in other replies so I’ll say, especially if you are a manager:
— Sitting Like A Shrimp 🦐 (@KateRoseBee) January 17, 2024
Actually say “thank you” for things, even for the stuff people are expected to do for their job. Say it every time, and mean it if you can.
17. Have a backup plan
Never assume you won’t get laid off from your job. Always be looking, answer recruiter messages, and have multiple streams of income if possible.
— Memphis Expat (@MemphisExpat) January 16, 2024
18. Write things down
This sounds silly but write out what you want to do the next day. Make a daily itinerary with the last 15 min of the day. That way you can get started efficiently
— John Gallagher (@MereSophistry) January 17, 2024
19. Basic skills are vital
Writing good emails is a skill that will set you apart from a surprising number of your peers.
— 65 Jellicles @LXV.bsky.social (@LXV) January 16, 2024
Learn Excel
Learn how file folder hierarchies work for saving your work (I'm calling you out on this one young Gen Z and Alphas)
20. Pay attention to detail
If you are an office worker, PROOFREAD YOUR WORK. It might be self-evident but as a manager, I'd say 90% of complaints I receive are for a lack of attention to detail. If you are new to a position, it is even more important because you want their first experience to be positive.
— Bob Delhi (@ColinOC82698425) January 16, 2024
21. Self-reflection is the key
With time and self-reflection, figure out what pace of work you like, what kind of boss you like, alignment between what you want to do and what you’re good at
— E (@EvanJB93) January 16, 2024
22. Don't be deceived
Your PTO is part of your pay and benefits, it is not a favor given and you should never feel bad about taking it! And hourly folks do not DO NOT work off the clock. You do work, you get paid. Don't let them lie to you. (Especially my healthcare folks!!)
— hate monger (@TheyAreJett) January 16, 2024
23. Work through organizational changes
Every organization goes through periods of change- some big, some small- keeping your head down and doing your job is actually pretty effective at keeping a job
— DANISH REYES (@TunafishVaughn) January 17, 2024
24. Have a strong base in one industry
Don’t switch industries frequently. Stick to an industry to work in. Also don’t fixate on a career path. Usually, paths will open up that you didn’t expect if you do a good job.
— Wall Street Lunch (@banker88NY) January 17, 2024
25. Surround yourself with efficient people
If you have to choose, a great boss in a decent job is way better than a great job with a crap boss. Always seek out the good people and try to work for and with them.
— Mike G. Fejes 🇨🇦 (@fejesmg) January 17, 2024
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