3 Key Questions to Ask When You’re Making a Career Decision
Here’s how to know if a role is right for you.
This afternoon at Office Hours, Her Campus Media co-founder Windsor Western hosted a conversation with special guest Stephanie Kramer, the General Manager of SkinCeuticals at L’Oréal USA! They chatted about networking, setting boundaries, and tips for making decisions throughout your career. Plus, they announced an incredible giveaway for one lucky attendee to win a SkinCeuticals shopping spree!
In case you missed it, be sure to check out the event replay HERE!
In the meantime, we’ve got some essential tips for you. Whether you’re navigating your first job or internship, it can be tricky to figure out the exact steps to take in your career. How do you know what opportunities to say “yes” or “no” to, especially if you don’t have a ton of experience yet?
Stephanie, who has worked with brands like Chanel, Kiehl's, Biossance, and more, says that it’s all about keeping an open mind, taking the pressure off of yourself, and learning when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” To do this, she leaves us with three questions every person should ask when facing a career decision.
1. What am I good at?
“The first question to ask is, ‘what is it that I’m good at?’” says Stephanie, who studied chemistry at Wake Forest University and later developed a passion for science and beauty, which led her to SkinCeuticals. “It could be that you’re great at rallying people, or being organized, reliable, or multidimensional.” Stephanie says to focus on your strengths, as they can be a huge asset when it comes to making big career decisions.
2. Where do I get energy from?
While no role is perfect, you never want to be stuck in a job that depletes all of your energy. Using a stoplight visual can be helpful in navigating whether to stick out a challenging role or move on to another opportunity. “Use a color system,” suggests Stephanie. “Are you ‘green’ and feeling great at your job? Are you ‘yellow’ and feeling a bit stuck? If so, maybe it’s time to expand your role or add a different goal. Or, are you feeling ‘red?’ Is it time to get out of the role, because it simply isn’t working?”
3. What do I need for my life right now?
“Seasons change!” says Windsor, whose lifestyle and schedule has shifted since founding Her Campus Media during college. “For example, as a mom, we have so many different career needs based on our children,” she says. Even if you’re early in your career, know that your personal needs and interests will change, too. Stephanie and Windsor suggest asking yourself what you need in the present moment. “Do you want to travel or be close to home? What do you actually need?” says Stephanie. “If you have that in mind and start building it in, it’ll help set you up for the future.”
We loved Stephanie and Windsor’s tips and tricks for how to make decisions and navigate your career with confidence. In case you missed Office Hours this week, catch up on the replay here and be sure to join us next week on Generation Hired for an exciting conversation with Kamalita Abdool of Deutsche Bank, who will share the inside scoop about taking risks and how to dream big in your career.
Follow @generationhired on Instagram for more inspiring career advice.
