15. I’m turning 32 — here's the best career advice I’ve learned
Tips, lessons & advice from seven years into my career as a tax attorney
Women in Tax is a semiweekly newsletter for the female accountant, lawyer or consultant in tax who wants to build your personal brand, grow your book of business & become a thought leader in your industry.
My birthday is this week, so I wanted to share 32 things I learned in the first seven years of my career as a tax attorney (photo from my law school graduation, circa 2016!).
These are the tips, advice and lessons I share often, especially with women at the beginning of their careers - I hope they inspire you too!
Speak up for yourself. People are busy (even good bosses and mentors!), so if you want something at work - a promotion, a raise, a new challenge, etc - raise your hand and make a business case for it.
Understand how the game is played. At your company, take the time to observe and learn who the power players are (who makes the decisions?), who the connectors are (these are the people who know everyone and everything), the metrics and standards used for promotions, and overall what it takes to succeed in your department and in your company.
Say yes to new work projects and opportunities. Asked to do a client presentation? Say yes. Your boss waiting for someone to volunteer to take the task no one else wants to do? Raise your hand and take it on. Even if you have no idea what you’re doing, you’ll figure it out as you go. Do it scared. This is how we learn and grow.
But also, learn to say no to things that don’t align with where you’re trying to go. If you’re asked directly to take on a task that could be classified as office housework (tasks that do not advance you professionally or are not within your job description) and will take time away from doing promotable tasks (or creep into your time with your family and personal life), it is okay to say no. No need to over-explain or justify anything.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand the assignment you’ve been given, ask clarifying questions. If you don’t understand something, speak up and ask someone to explain it to you in a different way. You won’t look incompetent, I promise!
Know how much you should be paid for your work and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Women still make 84 percent of what men earn (for context, it would mean women would need to work an extra 42 days in a year to make the same amount their male co-workers do!). Moms make 71 cents on the dollar that dads do. Part of the reason for that is that women are often hesitant to ask for raises and to negotiate pay. So, ask for higher pay.
Dress for the job you want. Most workplaces today have moved to casual dress, but instead of looking at how your peers dress, look at how the person who has your dream job dresses and emulate that. Maintain your own personal style to a degree, but in terms of level of formality, look up the corporate hierarchy and strive for that. This applies even if you work from home!
You won’t get the job or promotion if you don’t apply. Studies show that men see 10 qualifications for a job and if they feel like they meet two or three of the qualifications, they’ll apply and expect to learn the rest on the job. Women wait until we can meet all 10 before we apply. Don’t do that! If you meet most of the qualifications and are willing to work to learn the rest on the job, then apply! You lose nothing by trying and asking.
It is truly about who you know, but also who knows you. We can’t do work or life isolated. We need people around us to teach us and cheer us on. We need connections and friendships. So, go out there and meet all kinds of people. Don’t do it to get something out of it. Do it out of kindness and genuine interest in other people’s lives and dreams. People will always remember how you made them feel, so build others up and befriend people from all walks of life.
You are not an imposter and you are not “dumber” than everyone else. As a first-generation college graduate and attorney, I have spent a lot of time feeling small and out of place in comparison with peers and co-workers. But you deserve to be in the room. You are just as smart and capable as the person next to you. Comparison will only cripple and distract you. So, stop looking to your left and right and stay in your lane. Do what you’ve been given well, and you’ll excel.
Implement daily or weekly CEO Hour. I once heard an interviewee share that every day, she dedicates an hour to think like a CEO. This woman was in middle management, but she would spend time reading industry news and the Wall Street Journal, as well as thinking strategically about where her industry is going and how her company could get there. Take the time to develop your business and financial acumen. Understand your industry and industry trends. Learn new skills that could help propel your career and benefit your company. Learn to read financial statements.
Leverage job descriptions to write your resume. If you’re updating your resume, Google a job description for the job you had/have and the job you are applying for. Then leverage the responsibilities listed in the job description to write out your past job experiences and cover letter. Mimic the phrasing used in the job listing and figure out what responsibilities in your dream job best align with your experience, and then merge the two!
Stop apologizing (unless you’re actually sorry). Women apologize more than men. There is a difference between, “I’m sorry I lost my temper” and “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand your instructions on this project.” Know the difference between when a genuine apology is needed and when it’s just words said automatically. Watch for it. Next time you’re responding to emails, notice how often that word comes up!
Learn to accept constructive feedback. You’ll never grow if you only receive and accept positive feedback and compliments. We need people in our lives who will give us constructive feedback about our weaknesses and areas for improvement.
Become a master mentee.
Know what truly matters to you & make time for it. This world will suck you in on its hamster wheel and keep you going for years until you burn out (especially the corporate world!), so write down the top 3-5 things that matter to you and put the note (or photos representing those three things) where you can see it often as a reminder of what truly matters to you and what should take priority. Take the time to stop regularly and assess where you are and how that aligns with where you want to be when you’re 80. Know when to pivot and learn to quit if those things don’t align!
Develop a strategy screen for making big life decisions.
Learn to live on a budget and if you have debt, pay it off ASAP. In the words of Dave Ramsey, “If you will live like no one else, later you can live and give like no one else.”
Give from a generous heart. Pour out what’s been poured into you. Volunteer your time to help a non-profit whose mission you’re passionate about. Give generously to the causes and people groups you have a heart for. Promote those causes and non-profits on your social media. Raise awareness about the issues you care most about that will improve people’s lives and change the world.
Never present a problem without a solution. Try to have at least three suggestions, and if you caused the problem, own your mistake before presenting how you’re going to solve the problem.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Taking a day off or running late? Your boss doesn’t need to know why – just putting them on notice that you’ll be late on Monday or not available Tuesday is enough. Same with messing up - don’t feel like you have to explain it’s because you stayed up too late or are dealing with personal issues, so you were distracted. If the situation truly merits it, apologize, otherwise just let them know you’ll resolve the problem and then fix it.
Build a personal brand. Your reputation - what you are known for and what people think you know / what you’re good at is your personal brand. Cultivate that strategically and intentionally. It will open so many doors for you!
Be a lifelong learner. Read books and listen to podcasts. Attend conferences and follow the news. Take online courses. Travel the globe to learn about other cultures and economies. The world is constantly changing around us so don’t think because you’ve graduated college that the learning phase of your life is over. Bill Gates is said to read 50 books a year! So, turn off the TV and stop scrolling on social media. Instead, spend your free time learning and enlarging your mind.
Stop saying “I think.” From how we write emails to how we speak in meetings, women too often insert “I think” or “In my opinion” at the beginning of sentences. But you don’t think, you know. “Think” projects as being unsure, causing people to subconsciously disregard what you’re saying. Personally, I often have to proofread my own emails to delete a bunch of “I thinks” (it seems like it sneaks in at least once each email!).
Learn to write and communicate well.
Don’t lean out too early. Yes, consider your long-term goals in making career decisions, but be fully present in the season you’re in and you’ll cross the other bridges when, and if you get there. Don’t count yourself out too early!
Figure out the time management system that works for you. There are so many paper planner and online calendar options! Find an option or a combination of options that work for you and your season. Establishing systems and habit stacking will free up so much brainspace and ensure everything that matters, will get done and on time. Here is my system.
Create a placemat of your accomplishments. Keep track of your accomplishments at work: what projects did you complete successfully? Where did you show initiative? What was the result? How did your work benefit the company? This will be incredibly helpful for your annual performance or when you go in to ask for a promotion or raise.
Get yourself a hype person (or better yet, an executive sponsor who will speak up for you in the room where decisions are made!). Studies show that when women are promoting the accomplishments of a peer, they show increased promotion success. In contrast, when asked to promote themselves, women can be less successful and feel ill at ease. So, if you just can’t get there yet to promote your accomplishments, get someone in your corner who will speak up for you and champion your accomplishments (this can be someone on a peer level or in a supervisory role). In turn, pass that forward for someone else!
Don’t pigeonhole yourself based on your job title. If there’s an opportunity to sit in on a meeting or take on a project in a different area of your company, do it. You’ll grow your knowledge and your skill set and you’ll leave a lasting impression on coworkers and senior staff.
Upskill yourself. The workplace is always changing and those who stay at the front of the curve will get ahead.
Always remember, you are the most valuable investment.
If you’re within the first five years of your career and want my blueprint on how to take your career to the next level, I’m sharing everything I wish I knew when I started working at a big 4 accounting firm here.
Want to be featured in a future issue of Women in Tax?
I’m starting a series of profiles of women in tax, accounting, law & finance. All you’d have to do is answer a few questions via email about what you do and how you got to where you are. This is another great way to grow your network from the comfort of your home and with minimal time investment!
If interested, email yelenasheremeta@gmail.com.
Have you written about finding a mentor yet?