Top 10 Crowd-Sourced Career Tips

I’m sure you’ve heard how crowdsourcing makes information more accurate. So I’m sharing the best work advice collected by the New York Times from the masses this past year. (See https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/smarter-living/best-advice-youve-ever-received.html and https://nyti.ms/2FXUv0w.) From fellow smart human beings on their best lesson learned about their career:

1. Prepare questions for the interview. You will get dinged if you don’t have any ready. 
2. “Go on as many first dates and as many job interviews as possible in your life. Both are difficult, learned skills that get dramatically better with familiarity and practice. And no two things have a greater impact on your life outcomes than your work and your love.” 
3. Make your boss look good. It’ll make a smooth and trusting working relationship. 
4. Use people’s first names when you greet them. (My two cents: don’t lay it on too thick, or you’ll sound like a car salesman. Do remember people’s birthdays though!) 
5. You will need mentors and friends to guide on career and personal decisions, to provide a diversity of viewpoints, and to support you when you (inevitably) need it. 
6. Don’t accept work when you’re not learning. (My two cents: Do this thoughtfully. Come across as a team player, e.g., by volunteering for new areas that are strategic and you care about.)  
7. Conventional wisdom does not always lead to happiness. “Things that make you successful at school, like following rules, working the hardest and being perfect, are not what will make you happy outside of school. Follow your instincts, experiment, try things out, talk to people … and keep dreaming big dreams. [T]rust yourself enough to let it go if it is making you question your self-worth or it isn’t what you want to be remembered for.” 
8. Doing the minimum isn’t enough — you need to work hard and continue to learn. “Don’t think that you deserve great jobs or promotions just because you do the minimum and go home. You’re surrounded by people who are working hard who will move past you when the world rewards their efforts… Figure out what you want your expertise to be and then build your personal brand around it… Put yourself out there and take leadership roles to be noticed. Do your homework and learn about the trends, in-demand skills and influencers in your industry.”  
9. Mentor others. You will get more opportunities if you take initiative and give back. 
10. “In life there are two types of workers: ditch diggers, and those who tell them how to dig the ditch. Decide who you want to be, and do it 100 percent.” (OK, I’m not sure how helpful this one is, but worth a smile!)