Life and Work Skills for Young Professionals
Oftentimes, the skills we learn for work translate into skills we use outside of work as well. There are so many critical skills we could and should learn, but the most “important” ones will probably vary depending on who you ask.
Shana Lebowitz created a great list of 24 Life Skills Every Adult Should Master Before Turning 30, so we’ve highlighted a few of the best. These skills are important for both work and life outside of work, so take notes!
- Accepting feedback gracefully: This one is very important. It’s easy to take feedback personally, especially if you haven’t been in the “adult” world for very long. We’ve all been there, and we’ve all had to adjust. Remember especially in a professional environment that feedback isn’t personal, and it’s meant to help you. In fact, a supervisor or colleague who tries to help you with feedback usually wants you to stick around and grow. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be investing their time in you.
- Apologizing sincerely: Being in a situation where you have to apologize, especially at work, never feels good. However, the best to recovering from a slip up is apologizing in an authentic way. Learn when to admit you were wrong, and assure your supervisor that you’ve learned from the situation. Stay humble.
- Empathy: Emotional intelligence is is an important component of working with others. Remember that everyone’s perspective is not the same as your own, and everyone has different experiences. Try to see things from others’ perspective.
- Creating (and maintaining) a budget: Making a budget is a logical thing to do regardless, but sticking to it is also very satisfying. It feels good to be on top of things, and will cause much less stress than not having a spending plan.
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash
Recent Posts
Networking Dos and Don’ts
Networking is key to career growth, whether it be within or outside of your company. Networking builds connections and is a great way to market yourself to potential coworkers as well as employers. Everyone seems to know that it's important, but how do we network...
Quote of the Day: Steve Jobs
"Details matter. It's worth waiting to get it right." -Steve Jobs We talk about details all the time in our office. One small detail can make or break any work situation or endeavor. Remember to check the details, and never forget to check your work. Image retrieved...
Finding Equilibrium: The Work/Life Balance
The work/life balance is something we all think about a lot. It's easy to wonder if you're putting in enough at work, or if you're putting in enough at home and for yourself. This balance looks different for everyone, but it's important for us all to monitor. But how...
Everything You Should Know Before Hiring a Temporary Employee
Temporary employees are great for businesses to manage seasonal or unforeseen increases in workload, help existing team members stave off burnout, ensure projects hit their deadlines and even test out potential new employees before making an offer of full-time...
Turning a Temporary Placement Into a Permanent Placement
Temporary job assignments are a great way for young people to get their careers off the ground, especially in a tight Boston employment market. There are a host of temporary assignments available in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, and these jobs can expose you...
Interviewing When You Don’t Feel Confident
Interviewing for a new job is always nerve-wracking. You want to show your best self to your potential new employers and show them what you have to get the job done. But what if you feel like the job might be a bit out of your league? Understandably, you'll probably...
Quote of the Day: Doug Larson
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk. -Doug Larson We learn best when we listen to those around us, especially those who may have experienced things you haven't yet. Learn from you supervisors, colleagues, friends,...
Keeping Things in Perspective
We've all had days where nothing is going right and it feels like the world is out to get you. Your commute may have been worse than usual, or you ran into a problem at work. No matter what's getting you down, it's easy to stay in that negative head space. Getting...
Quote of the Day: Mahatma Gandhi
"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire...
Blank Slate or Big Challenge? Managing New Professionals
In our field, we are in contact with candidates of all different experience levels on a daily basis. We see everything from seasoned professionals with 20 years of experience in their field, to recent grads with no work experience. There are differences and...
Making Excuses: More Harm Than Good
When things get tough, it's really easy to make excuses. You may be feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and burnt out. However, certain excuses will get you nowhere. These can make you look bad in front of your boss and colleagues, and also cause even less motivation for...
Boston Startup? How to Build an Awesome Company Culture
When you’re building a company from the ground up and you’re intensely focused on your numbers, it’s easy to neglect company culture. However, it’s important to start crafting your company culture now. Here are things you can start doing today to actively build an...
“So, where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Answering the Classic Interview Question
We've all heard the age-old example of the classic interview question: "where do you see yourself in 5 years?". I'm sure we all have some answers for this question, but what are the best answers to give to your interviewer? In her article, Jane Burnett gives a few...
Quote of the Day: Thomas Fuller
All things are difficult before they are easy. -Thomas Fuller A new job or task will always seem daunting at the beginning. Remember that while it may seem hard now, it'll be easier with time and experience. Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public...