Career Advancement Tips

I recently got asked about career advice I wish I had received when I was starting out. Here are 8 pieces of advice I know at 32 I wish I knew at 22: 1. Build a reputation for reliability. Reliability is one of the most important traits in your career. You can get pretty damn far by just being someone that people can count on to show up and do the work. Being reliable is entirely free and doesn't require any talent or luck. 2. Be the person who just figures it out. Early on, you'll be given a lot of tasks you have no idea how to complete. There's nothing more valuable than someone who can just figure it out. Do some work, ask the key questions, get it done. People will fight over you. 3. Swallow the Frog for your boss. This is one of the greatest "hacks" to get ahead early in your career. Observe your boss, figure out what they hate doing, learn to do it, and take it off their plate. Easy win. 4. Build storytelling skills. World-changing CEOs aren't the smartest or most talented in their organizations. They are exceptional at: (1) Aggregating data and (2) Communicating it simply & effectively. Data in, story out. Build that skill and you'll always be valuable. 5. Work hard first (and smart later). It's in vogue to say that working smart is all that matters. Wrong. If you want to accomplish anything significant, you have to work hard. Build a reputation for hard work—take pride in it. Then you can start to build leverage to work smart. 6. Do the "old fashioned" things well. There are simple things that still stand out. Look people in the eye, do what you say you'll do, be early, practice good posture, have a confident handshake. It sounds silly, but these things are all free and will never go out of style. 7. Show up early, stay late. Showing up early and staying late is a free way to materially increase your luck surface area. The most interesting side conversations come up before meetings start or after they end. When you're in the room, you're more likely to get pulled into a follow-up call, coffee, or discussion. Being in the room pays off handsomely in the long run. 8. Dive through cracked doors. I recently had an experience that brings this advice to life: These two young guys were trying to work with me on a project but my schedule was tough for a call. They said they had to be in NY for a meeting the next day and offered to meet in person. I said ok. We met, hit it off, and are working together. They later told me they didn’t need to be in NY at all and booked flights after I said yes. I'd always bet on people with that kind of energy. If someone cracks open a door that may present an opportunity, dive through it. Embrace those 8 pieces of advice and you'll stand out and be on the right track. If you enjoyed this or learned something, follow me Sahil Bloom for more in the future!

If you are graduating from University this year- congratulations. First, optimize for experience. It’s tempting to focus on salary, title, or how fast you can level up. But what matters most in these early years is experience—real experience. Optimize for what you’ll learn, not what you’ll earn. Join a team where you’ll see things get built, problems get solved, people get pushed. Don’t chase compensation, chase exposure. Second, learn more- and faster. The first few years of your career should feel like grad school. Learn more and faster than you ever have before. Read constantly. Take notes. Ask questions. Go deep on topics your coworkers only skim. You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room—but you should be the most curious. Third, invest in relationships. Remember, your career won’t be a straight line. It won’t be a staircase with predictable steps—it’ll be a jungle gym. You’ll move sideways, diagonally, even backward before leaping forward. The people you meet along the way—classmates, coworkers, mentors—will open doors for you, if you cultivate those relationships intentionally. Don’t just build a network; build relationships. This normally starts with ‘giving’ before ‘receiving’. Lastly, work hard. Given the way that companies have changed (remote work, part-time work, project-based work, etc.), it can be easy to be active (but not productive) or to be inactive (preferring the next Netflix episode over progress). Fight this urge. There is nothing as difficult, nor as fulfilling, as working hard, seeing success, suffering through things that don’t work, and getting back up. Distraction is the great thief of potential. Protect your time. Earn your momentum. I believe the next 20 years will provide more opportunity than the previous 100 years combined. Don’t be afraid of technology. Learn it and embrace it. That alone will put you ahead of most of your class (and the classes that came before you). Good luck and my hope for you is a strong work ethic and an insatiable desire for excellence. https://lnkd.in/eU2Pj2f5

To the UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT who is OVERWHELMED about what career to pursue Here’s the best advice I received as an undergraduate: 📌Treat your journey to CAREER CLARITY like a series of TINY EXPERIMENTS. Embrace as many opportunities as you can in the beginning. See each opportunity (the big, the small, the in-between) as a chance to learn about yourself. Approach it with the mindset of I’m just trying this out, I’ll give it my best, and we’ll see how it goes. JUST TRY THINGS OUT Some experiences will excite you, some won’t—but they will all contribute to building that database of what you like and wouldn’t like in a dream career. It might take days, months, or even years, but one day, you’ll have enough data to say, “I think I finally found THE career path…” But that clarity will not come from stressing and thinking about it and disturbing Google (poor guy). ✅ Clarity requires data. ✅ Data comes from experiences. ✅ Experiences come from doing and exploring—EXPERIMENTING. ❌ There is no secret career clarity formula. ❌ No career coach can tell you exactly what you’re meant to do. ❌ And you definitely won’t find your dream career path on the first page of Google. **************** When I joined the Student Finance Club in my third year of university, I had no perfect plan of, oh, I would then leverage that experience: 🟢 To secure my first CFA Access Scholarship. 🟢 To land my first graduate role as a Financial Analyst. 🟢 More importantly, I had no idea how those experiences were shaping my conclusion that finance wasn’t really for me. When I explored tutoring as an undergraduate, I didn’t know it would: 🟢 Land me a role at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University during NYSC. 🟢 Serve as teaching experience in my MSc application—the degree that ultimately gave me access to secure an Economist role in the Department for Education. 🟢 Help me prove my mentorship skills during my International Student Ambassador interview. 🟢 Most importantly, show me how much I love teaching and confirm that I’d return to lecturing economics someday (Insha’Allah). Eventually, everything made sense—some things are still coming together. But it all started with just trying things out…not knowing exactly where they would lead ************* My advice: Make your undergraduate years your "just trying it out" era; there is little at stake, and the pressure is low. ❌ Stop stressing and obsessing over connecting the dots from the start. ✅ Start doing, and trust that one day, you'll look at your CV with a big smile and say, "It all makes sense now." Cheers to clarity! Drop your best career advice below—let’s empower each other! 👇🏽 P.S.: If this inspires you, repost ♻️ to inspire another undergrad. ************* Baliqees, you might see this or not, but this post is dedicated to you. I hope it inspires you to trust your gut and just try things out to see where it leads. Thank you Aminat for the opportunity to speak with your community Sparcool Connect.

Playing it safe is the riskiest career move. Most people think taking risks in your career means quitting your job to become an entrepreneur. But there are dozens of micro-risks you can take within your job that accelerate growth: - Hire your own replacement so you can step up to the next role. - Let go of a non-performing team member, even if the team depends on them. - Hire people smarter than you. - Speak up with a contrarian point of view in leadership meetings. - Take on a struggling project and attempt a turnaround. - Move laterally into a new function to build breadth. - Admit what you don’t know — and commit to learning. - Set ambitious goals that stretch beyond comfort. - Give candid feedback upward. Growth rarely comes from staying safe. It’s these small, uncomfortable bets that matter most. What’s a micro-risk you’ve taken that paid off? Zinnov #leadership

Law school taught me the law. But building a career? That’s a different story. Many years ago, I walked into my first day as a lawyer, armed with my 2nd Upper Degree, thinking I was ready. I WAS NOT. Here are 12 lessons I learnt the hard way: (I wish someone had shared with me before I started) 1️⃣ It’s Okay to Ask for Help Pretending to know everything? Rookie mistake. Ask questions. Get clarity. Even top-tier lawyers do. 2️⃣ Networking > Billable Hours Winning cases builds a reputation, but relationships build careers. That partner you avoid at events? Talk to them. 3️⃣ Reputation Is Currency Every email. Every call. They all shape how people see you. Guard your reputation like it’s your most valuable client. 4️⃣ Billing ≠ Just Hours Worked It’s not about grinding for numbers—it’s about delivering value. (And yes, padding your billables will get you noticed—for all the wrong reasons.) 5️⃣ Clients Crave More Than Advice They want trust, empathy, and someone who listens. Legal skills matter, but human connection wins clients for life. 6️⃣ The Best Lawyers Never Stop Evolving The law changes, and so should you. Stay curious. Stay sharp. Stay ahead. 7️⃣ Mentors = Secret Weapons Find someone who’s been where you want to go. The right mentor will save you years of trial and error. 8️⃣ Burnout Is the Silent Killer The late nights will come, but don’t make them your norm. Protect your energy—because no case is worth your health. 9️⃣ Pick Your Battles Not every fight is worth the courtroom. Strategic restraint is a superpower. 🔟 Mistakes Are Inevitable Here’s the secret: It’s not about never failing—it’s about how you bounce back. Own it, learn from it, and keep moving. 1️⃣1️⃣ It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint You don’t need to win every deal or impress every partner. Pacing yourself is how you last in this game. 1️⃣2️⃣ Never Lose Sight of Your WHY When the grind feels endless (and it will), your WHY will keep you grounded. Don’t let go of it—it’s your anchor. Law school taught you the law. But no one taught you how to build a career in it. Lawyers reading this, did I miss anything? What else would you add to my list? --- Repost this♻️ to help the juniors out there! ➕ Follow Shulin Lee for more. P.S. To the trainees starting out: It’s okay to feel scared. P.P.S. The partners you’re intimidated by? They were once where you are. Everyone starts somewhere. You've got this!

I’m 39. Here are 10 things I wish I knew at 21 about programming. (After spending 15+ years working as a software engineer at Amazon, Paytm, Google & startups) If you’re just starting out or in your 20s this might save you years of trial and error.  [1] You don’t need to know everything   There’s too much in tech frameworks, tools, languages.   Mastering one thing deeply beats being average at 10. → Learn one language well.   → Go deep. Build. Break. Rebuild. Depth compounds. Breadth follows naturally.  [2] You won’t remember everything   You’ll forget syntax. APIs. Even concepts. That’s fine.   What matters is knowing how to figure things out when you need them.   Google, docs, and AI tools are part of the workflow.  [3] Tutorial hell is real   Watching videos ≠ learning.   You feel productive but can’t solve a single problem on your own. → Limit tutorials.   → Write code. Break things. Debug.   That’s how you learn.  [4] Don’t compare your journey   Some start at 14. Some at 24.   Some have CS degrees. Some don’t.   The only person you should compete with is who you were yesterday.  [5] Communication > Code   Your ability to explain things clearly is more important than your ability to write clever code. → Speak up in meetings.   → Write clear docs.   → Ask better questions. This alone can 2x your career growth.  [6] Focus on solving problems, not writing code  Code is a tool.   The real value is in solving real-world problems. → Understand the business impact.   → Ask “Why?” before “How?”  [7] Learn by reading code   You’ll learn more by reading code from good engineers than by doing 100 tutorials. Open-source projects. Internal repos. PRs from seniors.   Study their structure, naming, logic.  [8] Ask for help (early and often)   Struggling silently is not noble.   It’s inefficient. Asking questions shows you care enough to grow.  [9] Build side projects   Nothing teaches you more than trying to build something from scratch. You’ll learn architecture. Debugging. Tradeoffs.   And you’ll finally understand why those tutorials taught you what they did.  [10] Growth is slow until it’s not   You’ll feel stuck for months.   Then suddenly everything will click. Trust the process. Keep showing up. Your future self will thank you.

Either you control it, or it will control you! Our bodies and minds have limits, and ignoring the need for rest can lead to significant consequences. When we push ourselves too hard without taking regular breaks, we risk burnout, decreased productivity, and health problems. This forced downtime often occurs at the worst possible moments, disrupting our personal and professional lives. So, please: Schedule Regular Breaks: Integrate short breaks into your daily routine. For example, use the Pomodoro Technique—work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. Prioritise Sleep: Ensure you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Good sleep hygiene, such as a regular bedtime and limiting screen time before bed, can improve sleep quality. Take Vacations: Plan and take regular vacations to recharge. Even short getaways can significantly impact your mental and physical health. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to signs of fatigue, stress, and burnout. If you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and rest, even if it's just for a few hours. Incorporate Wellness Activities: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time in nature. Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and set boundaries to protect your time and energy. Avoid overcommitting and ensure you have time for rest and recovery. By proactively scheduling breaks and prioritising self-care, you can maintain your health, enhance productivity, and avoid inconvenient and disruptive forced breaks.

💥 After 20 months building THE ELEVATE GROUP , working with thousands of mid- to senior-level women across the globe, I need to say something that many won't like but need to hear: 90% of women are damn good at their jobs. But far too many are still trapped in a quiet victim loop Before you scroll past thinking “Not me,” let me show you what it actually sounds like: • “Our culture is just toxic” • “I’m too exhausted to network after hours. • “My manager doesn’t even understand what I do.” • “We’re a flat organization. There’s nowhere to grow.” • “HQ in London doesn’t take regional roles seriously.” • “I’d go for it, but I’ve seen what they do to women who ask.” • “There’s never been a brown woman promoted to VP here.” • “I’m excellent, but I’m not into self-promotion, it is not who I am.” • “The real decisions are made at the bar after work, and I don’t drink.” You’re not wrong. ❌ But you’re not moving either. Yes, the system is unfair. Yes, men often get a head start. Yes, HQ does favor its own. But repeating the injustice is not a strategy. You don’t get promoted for narrating the power gap. You get promoted by navigating it. Your promotion work begins after your actual work ends. The women who break through VP and above? Here’s what they’re doing differently: ⚡ They study quarterly earnings reports to understand what keeps their execs up at night - and speak that language. ⚡ They schedule calls with US peers at 10 PM Asia time because proximity to power > personal comfort. ⚡ They volunteer for the messy, cross-functional stretch assignments others avoid because they know value is built in discomfort. ⚡ They don’t wait for mentors. They build reciprocal networks that exchange visibility & information. ⚡They track the metrics that keep the CEO awake, not their immediate boss. Are they exhausted? Often Are they rewarded overnight? Rarely. Are they playing the game by male rules? Sometimes. Yet, they refuse to outsource their power to systems or managers. They don’t waste energy resenting the rules. They channel it into mastering the moves that matter. If you recognize yourself in any of those 10 quotes above, it doesn’t make you weak. It makes you honest. So ask yourself honestly: How badly do you want it? Because this isn’t about waiting for fairness. It’s about doing the work only the top 0.01% are willing to do One of those moves is getting sponsored. If you’re serious about making that leap, join me and Uma in "The Power of Sponsorship" 📅 June 26, 7:30 PM Singapore Time 🌍 Open globally 🔗 Link in Comment We’ll unpack: • How we got sponsored in our own careers • The game behind closed-door promotions • How to speak so your name echoes after you leave the room 📩 Can’t join live, sign up to get the full recording + distilled summary afterward. 📣 Come. Ask. Challenge us. Or just listen. But don’t stay quiet in the waiting room of your own career. 👊 Because you deserve more than that

Yesterday, a young CA from Bangalore, who had recently started his practice, approached me for guidance on building a career in Direct and Indirect Tax Litigation. Here’s what I advised him: 1. Starting a practice, especially as a first-generation professional, is financially challenging. Keep your expenses under strict control. When I began my practice in 1998 after leaving my job with the Aditya Birla Group, even affording travel to my rented office was difficult. I had to seek help from my mother before a guiding angel, CA R.K. Duggar, supported me financially, personally, and professionally. 2. The initial phase of practice often brings fewer assignments, but this is a blessing in disguise. Use this time to enhance your knowledge. Invest in good books, watch YouTube webinars on important topics, and listen to experts like Senior Advocate Arvind Datar. Subscribe to Taxmann, Taxguru, and TMI. 3. Idleness allows you to reflect and think critically. Read beyond tax laws—explore jurisprudence and judgments from other legal fields via platforms like LiveLaw and Bar & Bench. Follow interviews and articles of legal stalwarts to understand their approach to the profession. 4. Participate in physical seminars and become part of a study circle. This will not only expand your professional network but may also help you find a mentor who can guide you in work and even provide opportunities. 5. Visit tribunals and courts to observe how counsels argue and how the bench responds. Understanding courtroom dynamics will significantly enhance your litigation skills. 6. Writing articles forces you to conduct thorough research, thereby deepening your understanding of the subject. It also establishes you as a knowledgeable professional in your field. 7. Never judge a case by the quantum of demand or fee involved. A seemingly small case with intricate legal questions can provide more recognition than a high-profile matter. 8. Master the Facts of a Case from the Beginning such as during audits, search and seizure, or SCNs. 9. Always be honest and straightforward with your clients. Offer impartial advice but let them decide on their course of action when multiple strategies exist. Never step into your client’s shoes—your role is to guide, not to decide for them. 11. Avoid working for unreasonably low fees just because you have no other work. If you don’t respect your worth, no one else will. Set fees that reflect the value you bring to your clients. 12. Avoid Becoming a ‘Wheeler-Dealer’. Your role is to provide legal expertise, not to maneuver deals. 13. Growth in litigation practice is gradual. Do not lose hope. The learning process involves trial and error, and experience will teach you how to proceed. Remember, when you switch off the lights, the room initially turns dark, but over time, your eyes adjust, and you start seeing even in the darkness. Similarly, with persistence, clarity and opportunities will emerge.

There is an expiration date on your military accomplishments About 2 years out of service, you are no longer a (insert rank here) You are what you have been doing for those 2 years (you've established a new professional identify) #quinnsights I'm about 7 years out & nothing I did as a Sergeant Major really holds weight on my #resume You can go back and look at the last Army job on my LinkedIn profile There are some solid bullets with quantified accomplishments But I've done SO MUCH since then ProSphere, EY, HireMilitary all have relevant accomplishments in related roles that truly show what I've done and am capable of doing out here So the Army stuff becomes "foundational" bullet accomplishments (the wrap up few at the bottom where I tell them I'm a veteran) #militarytransition Many veterans struggling to find meaningful #careers that I engage with are having trouble with this fact They've worked a bit and established a new professional identity on paper (resume and profile) Can't rely on leadership experience and big numbers from years ago And struggle with the difference between who they think they are (past accomplishments) and how industry sees them (current experience) My advice? You didn't get to that military rank on luck The foundation + potential is still there But now you need people that understand this to help you get past the "apply online" phase And that is where speaking with other veterans in industry comes in (relationships + referrals beat online apps) #militarytransition P.S. This is also why we want everyone to start early A little career exploration + networking reduces the chance that all of the above happens...and significantly increases the odds you will find your success