Some career decisions that are always good ideas
Monster’s career expert Vicki Salemi answers user questions on Quora.com. We’re republishing her answers here on a regular basis. If you have a question, email socialmedia@monster.com.
Q. What are some career decisions that are always a good idea?
A. Here are some career decisions that are always a good idea:
1. Don’t stay with a company too long. Back in the day, lon- gevity was key, but staying at the same company for 10 years (heck, even five or six) right now means you’ll probably cut your chances of earning more money, since pay leaps are typically gained by working for a new employer, not staying with the current one.
2. Find a mentor. It’s always wise to find someone you respect and admire so they can guide you, think of career options and opportunities you may not necessarily think of for yourself, and offer you tips to staying passionate about your job. Sometimes it’s more about what options puts a sparkle in your eye, rather than what you “should” do.
3. Network when you don’t need a new job. There’s no pressure, no anxiety, no timeline — network just for the sake of building your network, and maintain contact with these people regularly. Help them, refer people to them and pay it forward. This way, when you really do want to look for a new job, you have an active pipeline of helpful, friendly people within your reach.
4. Know what you’re worth. This is where a mentor can be particularly helpful. Always, always, always have a salary estimate in your mind as to what your skills and experiences pay in your industry and geographic region. You can figure this out from a variety of sources: Your mentor, former colleagues who work for different companies, Payscale, professional organizations and more.