Longtime reader here, left the biz in 2012. I thought I'd give back and post some good advice that was shared with me by an older mentor when I was younger. Learn it. Use it. Live it. Hope you find it helpful.
15 CAREER STEPS
1.) Perception is everything...act as if.
2.) Never give them a reason to fire you and they won't.
3.) Do everything that everyone doesn't want to do...do it better...and faster.
4.) If you don't ask for it you won't get it.
5.) Meet as many people as you can and learn as much as possible...the money will come later.
6.) Give more and you will receive more.
7.) They will always pay you just enough to keep you indifferent. (Your boss will likely never pay you more than what he/she made at your age...have a rich boss.)
8.) Treat your boss like you are in a heads up poker game with him/her: few tells, never show your hand if you don't have to, get as much information as you can, create low risk/high reward circumstances.
9.) The 3 most valuable commodities are relationships, time, and information. Probably in that order.
10.) Continuously innovate. Fixing an old problem is just as valuable as inventing a new idea.
11.) Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you. Don't fear young talent. Embrace them and make them your army of advocates.
12.) Always have a plan B....and C.
13.) Sales make the world go round. Everyone is a salesman/woman at the end of the day.
14.) You cannot partner with people who do not share your work ethic, tenacity, urgency, or resourcefulness. Align your expectations before you begin.
15.) It's not what you SAY, it's what people HEAR.
Mod Note (Andy): Best of 2016, this post ranks #5 for the past year
Make sure you are understood.
Oh, and karaoke ;)
14.) You cannot partner with people who do not share your work ethic, tenacity, urgency, or resourcefulness. Align your expectations before you begin.
THIS. I have never heard anyone saying it loud, but it makes so much sense though.
This one fascinated me: "8.) Treat your boss like you are in a heads up poker game with him/her: few tells, never show your hand if you don't have to, get as much information as you can, create low risk/high reward circumstances."
I have a mentor who is 4 years older and was from my neighborhood and ended up going to the same college that I went to. So when I got in he really tried to sell it to me and has remained a mentor ever since. We both don't come from money so salary conversations aren't taboo among us. He's 26 years old, started out as a trader out of college at a BB and 2 years later moved to a hedge fund. Recently got a $1million bonus that he showed me and we talked about it for a while. He told me when he saw the number he was blown away, was expecting something in the 600k's and thinks that the head of the company sees potential in him as young talent, so wants to get on his good side now rather than later when his trading leverage/earning potential increases. When he had his meeting and received the bonus he told me he acted very formal and respectuful but did not show any emotion or joy. Very much so a business type of transaction. His bosses are mind fucked now at how this 26 year old didn't show any excitement at a $1 million check, and he says ever since then they have been treating him with the respect as someone 5 years older than him. We've both been laughing at this for a while now. Long story but I thought it pertained to number 8.
I would love to hear more thought on this and #8 as I thought it was great advice.