Winning Career Tips

Below is advice for building and maintaining a happy, healthy, rewarding career — and finding personal fulfillment along the way.

Find a passion.

Make a concerted effort to identify a passion — the earlier in your career, the better. Find something that you will truly enjoy and be most proud of doing in your career — and throughout your life. Don’t wait. Find your passion today.

Be a mensch.

Don’t wait to be told — help others. Help in a pinch. Help when its needed. Help behind the scenes, when the cameras have stopped rolling. Mentor. Be ever-present, and a supremely positive influence. “Cast your bread upon the water.“

Mistakes are gifts.

Errors, setbacks, wrong turns — they, often times, are catalysts for growth. Keep your mind open to the lessons that they teach. Strive always to be exceptional: Extraordinary people always play with intensity and a smile, and they pivot when things don’t go as planned. Leave everything on the field.

Shed arrogance.

Supreme confidence is one thing. Narcissism is something else. Jerks live in world all their own and work from a dashboard of utter self-indulgence. Difference-makers make their mark with accomplishments, and measure time by what they can still contribute. Unassuming winners achieve lasting results.

Be job-focused.

Don’t just “do” your job — do it very well. Anyone can simply show up and collect a paycheck. Is that how you want to view yourself after 20 or 30 years — “I showed up, got paid, and now have a nice retirement”? If you are all fizz and no gin, you are definitely doing it wrong. You only achieved mediocrity. Aspire to be more.

Evolve or wither.

Always be learning. Develop a curious mind. And share your knowledge and wisdom with those around you, especially with those up and coming, who need it the most. Keep in step with changing times. Obtain certifications. Soak up knowledge. Always be upskilling.

Build connections.

Be a friend to all — and build your network. Give people your full attention. Genuinely care. And put down the cell phone. Look people in the eye when you are in conversation. The answers to any questions put to you, I assure you, are not written on any pair of Balmain mules or Air Jordans. Build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.

Trust yourself.

Your inner voice doesn’t lie — trust it. Let it be what it’s meant to be: your moral compass, your guide, your trusted Sherpa. Commit to believing it and relying on its confidence. Never forget — You, and you alone, are the captain of your career ship.

Never upset these people.

Your boss, the payroll person and the cafeteria staff…Need I say why? I’d also recommend making good friends with the network/IT person — not only for obvious reasons, but IT folks tend to hear nothing but complaints and problems all day, and they could use a decent friend. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Never give up. Enjoy the ride.

Time keeps ticking, with or without your approval. You will blink, and 10 years will have disappeared, like tears in rain. Always be present. Always be engaged in the moment. This is your life — it’s not a dress rehearsal. Enjoy every bit of it. Never give up. Laugh, learn, love.

Jerry Cooney, “Jer” to his friends, has spent his career serving in various capacities within Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in HR from Cornell and is a Senior Certified Professional in HR (SHRM-SCP) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).He began his career at a small firm in Manhattan and has since gone on to work with such famous names as Amazon, Siemens, General Electric, and Amtrak. Jer is originally from Islip, New York, but now calls Philadelphia home. He is a huge baseball fan.