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21 Tips To Help You Find Success in a Career
21 Tips To Help You Find Success in a Career
By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated March 17, 2021

Published November 12, 2020


Though everyone defines success differently, many define career success as the moment when you find the utmost enjoyment in your work. If you have yet to find success in your career, there are many ways to help you achieve this. In this article, we explain the benefits of finding success in your career and list 21 tips to help you find success in your career.

Related: How To Be Successful: The Ultimate Guide

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Why is it important to find success in your career?
Finding success in your career provides you with several personal and professional benefits. Here are some reasons why it's important to find success in your job:

Greater job satisfaction: When you feel like you're doing well at your job, you're more apt to look forward to coming to work. Therefore, finding success in your career can help you find more enjoyment in what you do each day, essentially increasing your job satisfaction.
Improved mood: When you've achieved some level of success regarding your career, it can create a sense of pride. Having this sentiment boosts your confidence, your happiness and your overall mood.
Higher salary: When your employer or manager recognizes your success, they're more apt to offer you a raise. An increased salary can make it easier for you to afford your daily life expenses and pay off your debts.
Related: 10 Tips To Become Successful and Achieve What You Want in Life

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21 tips to succeed in a career
As you make your way through your career, look for ways to help you achieve your goals. The more goals you achieve, the greater success you'll have. Here are 21 tips to help you succeed in your career:

1. Choose the right career
Whether you're just entering the workforce or you're already established in your career, make sure you've chosen the right profession. Consider whether you can see yourself doing your job every day. Your job needs to line up with your personality, your interests and your values.

If you can't determine whether you've chosen the right career, consider taking a self-assessment test that can match you to a career based on your answers to various questions. You can also consult with a career counselor or do your own extensive research regarding a particular occupation and its specific details including its duties, earnings and job outlook.

2. Make your own career choice
Your family and friends may have a lot of opinions when it comes to your career. While it's nice to get their input, make sure the career you choose makes you happy. Make sure that you're choosing it for you and not because someone told you to. Though your friends or family mean well, your career needs to be a personal decision since it affects your life for years to come.

3. Determine how you measure success
Everyone has a different definition when it comes to success. For example, while some people may define it in relation to the size of their paycheck, others may define it as the feeling they get when they receive praise from their supervisor. Since your career success aligns with whether you've met your own career goals rather than someone else's, take the time to determine how you define success so you can recognize it more easily when you achieve it.

4. Own up to your mistakes
No matter your experience, you're bound to make mistakes even if you try to avoid them. When you make a mistake, it's important to admit your error and work on a way to fix it. Take the time to mitigate any consequences and fix your error in a timely fashion to help you restore your reputation.

5. Ask for help
As you make your way through your career, know that it's OK to ask for help. Find someone with more experience and knowledge than you in your industry to help you advance in your career. Seek advice from an experienced colleague in your network who can mentor you or advise you on how to grow in your field. If you haven't entered your field of choice yet, learn more about the occupation you're considering from a mentor. Having this guidance can help you achieve your goals more efficiently and ensure you're on the right career path.

6. Reflect on your achievements
While it's important to have a good support system, you also need to root for your own success. Consider your previous accomplishments. Instead of waiting for someone to congratulate you on your successes, recognize them yourself and take pride in all you've accomplished so far in your career. Doing this can help motivate you to achieve your next accomplishment or goal.

7. Establish a strong work ethic
In order to find success in your career, you need to be willing to work hard and do what it takes to excel. Putting in the work makes all the difference when it comes to your career. When you have a strong work ethic, you have a greater chance of reaching your goals and getting promoted throughout your career.

8. Stay positive
Even if you start to feel that you aren't good enough to excel in your career, keep a positive mindset. Shut out any thoughts that can negatively impact your self-esteem. Instead, focus on what you're good at. If you have underdeveloped skills or skills you feel like you need to attain, work on improving or learning them to give you the positive mindset you're looking for. When you feel like you're capable of doing your job, it can improve your mood and motivate you to do better and reach your work-related goals.

9. Improve your skills
Even if you think you're good at your job, you can always find room for improvement. Admit to where you can use a little work and be willing to take the actions needed to improve on your weaknesses. Commit to growing your skills to help you become a more valuable asset to your company and a more well-rounded employee. Consider improving your skills through online videos, tutorials and books or by taking an online or in-person class.

Related: How To Develop Your Skill Set To Advance Your Career

10. Anticipate what your employer needs
To find greater success in your career, consider what your manager and employer needs before they say it. For example, think of what you would want to be done next if you were in their position. Anticipating their needs gives you the opportunity to meet their needs ahead of time before have to ask you for something. This shows your initiative, which helps them see your value as an employee. When they take note of your value, they're more apt to promote you or recognize your achievements, which can help you advance in your field.

11. Know you can change careers
When you aren't finding success or satisfaction in your current career, know that its OK to make a change. While this essentially means changing your current career, doing this may help you find greater success in your overall career. Though you may find many reasons to avoid a career switch, moving into a position you're more passionate about can make all the difference. Oftentimes, a career change is all you need to help you achieve your career goals.

12. Listen to those around you
As a working professional, it's important to take the time to listen to those around you. Pay attention to everything your boss tells you, whether they're telling you about a campaign, project or something trivial. Actively listening ensures you don't miss any important information. It also helps you build relationships with others in your workplace.

13. Take initiative
While it's important to follow the duties listed on your job description, going above and beyond can help you excel in your career. Look for ways to present new ideas, start new projects or create opportunities for your company. Taking initiative can help you stand out against your colleagues and help you impress your manager with a go-getter attitude.

14. Evaluate your performance
Though employers often conduct employee performance evaluations, keep track of your own performance. To evaluate your own performance, identify and set measurable goals. Then, set a timeline for achieving these goals. To help you achieve your long-term goals, assign yourself daily tasks that help you work toward your overarching goals. At the end of each week, determine what you achieved and whether you need adjust your strategy to better meet your timeline. Evaluating your performance can even help motivate you and increase your productivity at work.

15. Identify your strengths
As you navigate through your career, take into consideration your unique goals. Whether you're a good problem solver or a creative thinker, knowing your strengths can help you use them to your advantage. Knowing your strengths also allows you to easily adapt to various workplace conditions and issues as they arise. In addition, knowing your skills can help you choose the right career, therefore, setting you up for greater success in the long run.

16. Embrace learning
In order to find success in your career, you should try to embrace learning new things. Even if you had an impressive educational background, stepping into the workforce presents circumstances and challenges you may not have been prepared for. Show your manager or supervisor that you're coachable and willing to learn new skills and tools. When they notice that you're open to learning, they're more apt to give you additional responsibilities which can help you advance in your field.

17. Actively communicate
No matter your career, make sure you're actively communicating with your colleagues, your team and your supervisor. Communicating well with your manager, in particular, ensures they don't have to constantly check in with you to assess your progress. Take the time to let them know when you've completed your duties before moving on to your next task.

18. Grow your network
To find success in your career, it's important to surround yourself with people that inspire you to do better. Spend time making new connections in your field to find inspiration and to introduce you to new opportunities. Consider attending conferences, training or other network meetups to meet people in your industry. You can also grow your network through various social media platforms. Not only can your network help you stay up-to-date with industry news and provide you with helpful advice, but it can also make you aware of new job opportunities that can help you improve your skills while growing your resume.

Related: 10 Tips To Help You Network Like a Pro

19. Use helpful feedback
Whether you get feedback from a colleague or your manager, use it to your advantage. Feedback from someone more experienced or knowledgeable than you can prove even more beneficial. If they provide you with feedback that doesn't seem positive, do your best to not take it as criticism. Instead, use it to help you improve your skills and advance in your career. Listen to their feedback carefully and determine whether it's useful or true.

20. Gain trust
When you start a new job, it's important to gain the trust of your colleagues and your manager, in particular. When you do the latter, your manager may be more apt to delegate tasks to you. Having these tasks allows you to show your work ethic and capabilities. Establishing their trust early on lets them know that you have the qualifications needed to not only do well in your new position, but also advance in the coming years.

21. Find solutions
Instead of going to your manager when a problem arises, work toward solving it on your own. Instead of creating problems, create solutions. If you don't have the authority to implement your solution, present your manager with different options and help them reach a solution as much as you can.

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