Build a Great Career Using PHD

 by Chandra Drevjany, Principal and Co-Founder, eLoft Careers 

Most of us have heard the saying ‘Rome was not built in a day’.  This saying has been around for a very long time and is used to express the idea that achieving great things takes patience, hard work, and determination.  Great careers are not built in a day either.  The constant images and information we are bombarded with on social platforms can lead us to believe that others have it easy and make us wonder why it is so hard for us.  The reality is, if you take some time to speak with people you know who have achieved career fulfillment and success, they will likely share with you a journey that involved many ups and downs, challenges and tough decisions.  Building a great career absolutely takes Patience, Hard work and Determination.  Let’s look more closely at building a great career using PHD.

Patience
Building a great career takes time – let’s be honest, you will be working for decades of your life and if you are looking to move up or gain a more challenging or senior position, it takes time to achieve this. 

• Early in your career, if you are new to the country, changing careers or there are limited positions in your field at this time, be open to stepping-stone positions that will help develop new skills and experiences to support continuous learning and growth
• Smaller organizations can act as a great stepping stone to larger employers and they tend to be more entrepreneurial and flexible, giving you the opportunity to try different things and gain a broad range of skills and experience.  Although your goal may be to work with a large, well-known employer, consider smaller organizations that will provide great experience as a stepping stone to the dream employer.
• Be patient in both your search and your career journey.  When you land a job, take the time to learn it from the ground up and perform at your best to set the stage for future opportunities.

Hard Work
Job search is hard work and it is easy to think about a million things you would rather do than look for a job!  Here are some tips to ensure you stay focused on the goal of finding a new job: 

• Job search is hard work and requires us to do things we don’t feel skilled or experienced with – be prepared for this!
• Seek advice and support from people who understand what it takes to land a job in today’s market
• There is an absolute correlation between the amount of work you put into your job search and how quickly you will land. 
• Finally, make a plan on what you will do each day and stick to it!  

Determination
Determination in job search and in building a great career is about never giving up on your goals and dreams.  When you are searching for a job:

• Ask for help from a career professional, a friend or family member about your search and be open to their feedback and suggestions.
• Wake up every day and bring your ‘best you’ to the job search.  Be positive, be energized and believe in yourself!
• If you find yourself feeling discouraged it is ok to take a break.  You will face tough moments and even rejection.  If this happens – give yourself permission to take an afternoon, a day, or even a few days off to reset and refocus.  It will do you a world of good.
• Become an active learner to remain marketable and employable for life.  Perhaps you are already attending school to ensure you have marketable skills and knowledge – good for you!  Employers want and need people who are prepared and demonstrate active learning.  If you are further along in your career and looking for a job, make yourself more marketable and attractive to an employer by taking a course or furthering your education to show them you are open and always learning.  

​Good luck building your career using PHD!

Contact us at info@eloftcareers.com for a free 20-minute consultation to discuss how we can help you build a great career!