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You're gonna wanna take notes.
When it comes to job advice, it's hard to know where to turn. Parents may be wise, but their advice can feel outdated, and while friends are able to relate, they have the same limited years of experience as you do. Would that we all could have a Career Fairy Godmother.
Enter the MarieClarie.com editors. We may not be fairies, but we've learned a thing or two in this 100-girls-want-your-job industry. Here are eight hard-earned lessons we've picked up along the way.
"If you're butting heads with someone at work, take them out for a drink. Just reaching out to that person will go a long way to ease tensions. And of course, booze is a great bonding tool."
"Sit down. Be humble. Kendrick [Lamar] said that, and I believe him. You'll meet enough people who aren't humble to remind you that even while you hustle, it's important too to sit down and wait your turn."
"Write hand-written thank you notes immediately after your interview. As in, right after you walk out, go across the street and write it in a coffeeshop. Make sure to deliver it the same day."
"Own up to your mistakes, but always have a solution ready. If you know something isn't going right or isn't going to turn out the way your boss expected—or worse, you've royally messed up and it could hurt the company— just tell your boss. But don't just go to your boss with the problem and expect him or her to fix it. Go in and say, 'This is what happened, and here's how I think we can make it right.'"
"Do no harm, but take no shit."
"My first boss told me to always think in terms of 'two jobs from now.' Don't accept a new job without considering how it positions you for your next gig down the line."
"It's business, not personal. While this advice is rather lacking in fuzzy feelings, it's good to remember that at the end of the day, most businesses prioritize their bottom line—so you have to prioritize yours. Never feel bad or shy about asking for what you want. Go get the money that you deserve!"
"Every path is not your path. It's important to realize that every piece of job advice is just something that worked for someone else. It doesn't mean that you should listen to it."