July 20, 2016 | Journey

Whether you’re starting your first job or are the CEO of a large business, there are ups and downs in every career. And, understanding how to navigate through the highs and lows of your career path can be the difference between success and failure. To help you stay on track and remain inspired in your job search or in the workplace, take a look at these important lessons from successful entrepreneurs.

1. Perseverance is key.
In 2008, Danae Ringelmann launched one of the largest and most popular crowd-funding platforms in the world—Indiegogo. But, the platform’s inception wasn’t as successful as it is today. In fact, 92 people actually refused to fund the concept before one said “yes.” Danae’s story of perseverance proves that hope and belief in your vision can help you overcome the obstacles you face in your career. “Resistance comes in the form of ridicule. It comes in the form of rejection. It comes in the form of self-doubt,” Danae said. “It’s your job to keep going.”

2. Look for opportunity.
Honest Tea, a company whose mission is to create healthy beverages, was created when Dr. Barry Nalebuff noticed a gap in the beverage market. He thought water was too boring, diet drinks were too unhealthy, and soda was too sugary. So, he launched a new venture and eventually caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey. “When opportunity strikes, you have to be prepared for it,” Barry said. You never know when you’ll bump into someone who can make your dreams a reality, always be prepared and remember to keep your eyes open for new opportunities.

3. Give back.
Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS, the shoe business that donates a pair of shoes to a child in a developing country for every pair sold. The business concept supports social entrepreneurship and has turned TOMS into a famous brand that has partnered with big names like Ralph Lauren. “I recognized very early on that when you incorporate a purpose beyond profit in your business, your customers will become your biggest marketers,” Blake said. Stories like Blake’s prove that you can make a positive impact in the world while developing your career path.

4. Focus on your decisions.
The hip, affordable eyeglass retailer, Warby Parker, was founded in 2010 by CEOs Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa. The company has since sold more than a million pairs of glasses and gained wide popularity. Early on in their businesses, Neil and Dave learned that every decision they made was going to have a significant impact on their career. “No matter what you’re doing, you should always try your best, especially early in your career,” they said. “How you do anything is how you do everything. No matter what task you’re faced with—large or small—always seek excellence.”

5. Don’t take things personally.
Lori Greiner started with one small jewelry invention in 1997 and grew it into a multi-million dollar venture with products in the world’s biggest retailers and on QVC. When the “Shark Tank” investor met with a lawyer to receive a patent for her first invention, her husband accompanied her. During the meeting, the lawyer assumed Lori’s husband was the brains behind the business and spoke only to him. Even though Lori was angry and even confronted the lawyer about the issue, she knew she couldn’t let it affect her confidence. “Don’t let business get personal. It’s just business. Shrug it off,” she said.

There are hundreds of stories about successful entrepreneurs who learned valuable lessons when starting their businesses. What are some of your favorite lessons? Share with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Whether you’ve just started searching for a job, are looking for a change, or have been in the workforce for years, landing your dream job is something every person thinks about at one time or another. But, attaining that dream profession can also sometimes seem out of reach or impossible to pursue.

Fortunately, it’s never too late to pursue your ideal job. With the right amount of planning, persistence, and prep, you can start moving in the direction of your dreams.

Know What You Want
From workplace culture to the day-to-day tasks, in order to land your dream job, you have to know what you actually want. Applying to any and all jobs just to get a paycheck probably won’t help you get where you want to go. Think long-term as you create a strategy for your job hunt. Look for jobs either within the same industry or with the opportunity to build valuable skills that can lead you on the path toward your dream career.

Do Some Prep Work
You won’t likely land a job without a resume and cover letter, so get busy on those now. Once updated, set a reminder to spruce up or check their relevancy monthly or as frequently you deem appropriate. The same idea goes for your social media accounts. If you have a LinkedIn profile, it should reflect your most recent professional information. Check out this Movin on Up article for tips on how to clean up your social media accounts.

Keep Your Day Job
If you aren’t able to find a position that lines up perfectly with the path to your dream job, it’s recommended to keep your “day job” as you pursue the other. If you have a job now, you have a safety net that is invaluable until you can move on. The important thing to remember with this is that there’s a difference in staying in a job out of fear and staying in a job as you actively search for a more satisfying role.

Practice Persistence
Monster.com’s Alexandra Levit interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs. The reoccurring theme to landing those jobs? Persistence. Some people will stay in jobs they aren’t happy in because of the security they provide. Levit encourages her audience to “make an effort to do one thing that moves you a bit closer to your big-picture goal.” If you consistently do things, like attend networking events or volunteering, you’ll be much closer to your dream job than you would be if you remain complacent.

Manage Expectations
Keep in mind, most people don’t land their dream job fresh out of college, or even within their first years in the workforce. Reaching that goal will take time, focus, and oftentimes, quite a bit of patience. Also, don’t forget that your dream job should be one that provides you with a sense of fulfillment. Not every aspect of your dream job may be perfect. Yet, at the end of the day, if you can’t imagine yourself feeling any more fulfilled by a job, then celebrate what you have! You’ve made it.

What is your dream job? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Daily Archives: July 20, 2016