Career Advice To Make The Best Of Your 20s

Jobstreet content team – updated on 10 March, 2022

Ask anyone in their 30s and they'll surely tell you they regret doing or not doing something in their 20s. At this early stage where it's pretty much a transition from adolescence, it's also when many professionals make early career mistakes. While some of these may be inconsequential, others may hurt your future job opportunities. Here's some career advice so you can make the best of your 20s.

Use it to prepare for your 30s.

Joining the rat race can be intimidating when you have little or no professional experience yet. This is why you should make deliberate career choices as these lay the groundwork for your life in your 30s. Deciding which city to work in plays a role in your future career, as well as influence your love life.

Once you start earning your own money, use the time in your 20s to start saving and building good spending habits. It's an ideal time to boost financial literacy and possibly even start investing so you reap the benefits over time.

You don't need to have it all figured out.

Because you start working in your 20s, you might feel the pressure to have your whole career figured out already. Don't. At this point, not everyone has a clue what they're meant to do for the rest of their life. That being said, it's still crucial that whatever job you accept, you know you can earn valuable experience from it. Consider accepting a less than ideal job if you feel it can provide you with growth and future career opportunities.

Don't think that a "dream job" makes everything easier.

It's natural to assume that you'll breeze through your dream job because you're super passionate about it. But just because it's something you're interested in, it doesn't mean that it will be a walk in the park. The reality is that no matter what job you end up doing, you still need to put in the hard work. Sure, it may seem easier because of your passion, but there will be days when you won't be as motivated. Whatever job you have, make sure you treat it seriously and learn as much as you can from it.

Expect to put in more work for higher pay.

Unfortunately, work doesn't get easier while you go up the ranks. Becoming a boss or getting promoted doesn't mean you can just delegate responsibilities and call it a day. The bigger your salary is, the higher expectations of you will be, so you need to put in more hours.

Give small companies a chance.

There's nothing like the allure of a multinational company to entice you to become their employee. There's the prestige of the name, the sense of company structure, benefits, and clear growth opportunities.

On the other hand, startups and small to medium companies can also provide you with valuable work experience. Because things are on a smaller scale, you get to dabble in multiple roles and be involved in important projects. Not that MNCs can't provide you with these, but smaller companies tend to be more flexible when it comes to career advancement.

Don't sacrifice your wellbeing for tenure.

Your resume can seem more attractive when you stay in a company for years. But when things get toxic, it's not worth the mental and emotional distress. While challenges are great learning opportunities, don't be afraid to quit because you haven't stayed long enough in the job.

Be brave to negotiate or to ask for higher pay.

In your 20s, you may think it's awkward to negotiate or ask for a salary increase. You don't have as much experience yet, plus, you're afraid you might come off too aggressive. The thing is, you'll never know what you can get until you ask for it. When asking for a raise, ask what you need to do to deserve it and work your way toward it. The worst-case scenario would be getting declined.

You don't owe your soul to your company.

Just because you earn from a company doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your work-life balance for it. It doesn't mean that you're a better employee when you slave away and go over time. Overworking yourself may even be detrimental to your job performance. Set healthy boundaries with your work so you come back renewed each day. You can even use the time off work to earn from side hustles.

Be patient with a job you don't like.

Being able to resign from a job allows you to revisit your career goals and look for greener pastures. But it doesn't mean that you should quit as soon as you feel that you don't like your job.

First of all, there's no such thing as a perfect job. No matter how glamorous a line of work may seem to be, it will still have its share of trials. If you feel dissatisfied at work, determine why and if you still get value from your work.

Before you jump ship, consider as well the practicalities of leaving a job. Is this job even able to provide for your needs? Do you have an emergency fund? Do you have enough to tide you over until you can find new work? You don't want to end up touching your savings while jobless.

Stick it out with that bad boss.

No one wants to work with a difficult boss. Before you throw the towel, consider that there are ways you can improve your working relationship with him or her. It might just boil down to a misalignment of expectations or inadequacy on your part. Setting a one-to-one meeting with your boss might just be the solution you need to work out any kinks. Plus, you might still be able to gain valuable insight and knowledge from your boss.

Never talk back to your boss.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but snapping back at your boss is a definite no-no. Not only does it scream disrespect, but it also shows you're unprofessional as well. No matter how upset you may be with a superior, always take the high road and speak in a calm and collected manner. Note that your paths may also cross someday, and that would be incredibly awkward.

Always leave on good terms.

When you leave a company, know that it leaves a mark not just on your reputation, but on your resume. The world is incredibly small, and you may likely need to work with a former co-worker at some point. When you quit on good terms, people will remember the value you brought to the company. They won't have anything bad to say about you, thus, it doesn't tarnish your future job opportunities.

Receive career advice from a mentor.

They say that experience is the best teacher. This is why you can only benefit from the wisdom of someone who's been in the industry for a while. When you seek advice from a mentor, you get expert insights that can help you succeed in your career.

Take care of your connections.

You will constantly meet new people throughout your career. Chances are, you'll need to get their help along the way. Create a database of your contacts so that you can easily retrieve their contact information when the need arises.

Looking for more practical advice on job searching? Visit JobStreet Singapore's Career Resources Hub for expert insights and helpful articles.

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