Post by Jean Kang

10 Brutal Career Truths I know at 33 (That I wish I knew at 23). To learn these truths, It took me 10 years of: - Pivoting 9 times - Getting fired twice - Landing dream jobs & 5X my salary 1. Good work isn’t good enough - Good work alone will not accelerate your career. - You need to advocate for yourself and share your wins. - Optics matter more than you think. 2. Careers are anything but linear - Careers are rarely a ladder and look more like a jungle gym. - Embrace the journey and pivots; the destination will follow. 3. There is no such thing as a perfect job - The grass isn’t always greener. - Dream jobs, on paper, will have their faults (politics, toxic culture, poor leadership) - Reset your expectations. It’s okay for a job to be a job. 4. Your boss can make or break your career - Your boss has a greater impact on your career than you think. - Foster a healthy relationship early and often. - If you’re not getting support, consider leaving. You cannot change a person. 5. A paycheck isn’t worth your mental health. - No person, job, or money is ever worth your sanity. - You will find a better job if you allow yourself to. 6. Emotional intelligence is highly underrated - There’s nothing soft about soft skills. EQ makes you a better leader. - Make an effort to connect with people personally, support their work, and show up when they need you. - Good deeds matter (you never know when you need their help). 7. Promotions and raises are out of your control - You can be an A+ employee and still not get raises and promotions. - These decisions happen above you, so don’t let them define you. - Instead, focus on what you can control (ex. sharing wins publicly, asking for a raise, and doing work that matters) 8. Have performance conversations often and early - Don’t wait until the last minute to have performance conversations. - It’s your job to make sure you get clarity around expectations. - Schedule monthly career syncs with your boss and establish a growth plan 9. Who you know matters more than what you know - Your network can change your life. Talent isn’t everything. - Build authentic relationships with influential people (your boss, their boss, leadership, cross-functional partners, clients, etc). Career and business always revolve around PEOPLE. 10. It’s better to look for a job while you still have one - You should always be looking for your next play. - You will never grow by being complacent. Always be open to new opportunities. - Have regular coffee chats, update your resume quarterly, and interview with companies to gauge your worth and sharpen your skills. Which one resonates with you? ♻️ Repost to help others thrive in their career. And follow Jean Kang for more. PS Get my best tips on how I pivoted x8 times in 9 years and landed dream tech roles at Meta, LinkedIn & Figma: https://lnkd.in/gc2mu4yK