7 Lessons That Helped Me Build Career Resilience

Jiten Khemlani might not have been in the workforce for a long time. But over the past seven years, the 31-year-old finance graduate has worn several hats that eventually led to his present role at tech-firm Workday as a Senior Solution Consultant.

In a recent webinar session hosted by SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore, Jiten shared insights and reflections from his seven years of work experience and how he switched from a finance graduate to a software consultant by adopting a skills-based approach.

1. Learn as if you were to live forever

Having a pool of transferable skills and finding commonality in them was crucial for Jiten. After graduating from university, Jiten took up an HR position in a bank where he drew on knowledge from his finance degree and HR experience from his National Service days.

When he later moved on to consulting, his experience with clients in the banking industry and knowledge in a banking system project made him particularly valuable. It then occurred to him that all the skills he learned in his previous jobs, no matter how unrelated, were not in vain.

Takeaway:
"Have a passion for learning, because you never know when you will use it,” shared Jiten. For him, it means seeking out new knowledge and skills to broaden one’s perspective. Even for something unrelated like cooking or a new language, these skills might somehow help you later in your career.

2. Be resilient

When the going gets tough at work, Jiten reminds himself, “It’s important to stick to it with the end in mind,” Jiten emphasised. “You need plenty of resilience to take charge of your career instead of being drowned in it.”

The Bennati Resiliency Model, developed by leadership coach Beth Benatti Kennedy, is something that Jiten follows closely. The model has five strategies: Innovation, Well-being, Self-awareness, Brand, and Connection, all contributing to developing inner resilience.

Takeaway:
Referencing the Bennati Resiliency Model, Jiten emphasised being innovative by challenging yourself through learning new skills and gaining competencies. Personal well-being is something that tends to get overlooked at times and self-care is essential in making sure that you’re productive and energised.

Self-awareness sets the purpose and direction of your career and life. This includes having the right mindset to give you control over your personal and professional achievements. Creating a personal brand not only sets you apart when it comes to potential job offers and promotions but gives extra meaning to your career as well.

3. Connections are crucial

“Having a connection can be the difference between getting a job and not getting a job,” stressed Jiten. He remembers how both he and his friend with similar credentials applied for the same role in a company, but his friend who had a connection within the company was offered the job.

For introverted and reserved individuals, Jiten recommends using LinkedIn to make professional connections and reach out for career opportunities.

Takeaway:
Establishing professional connections is important for anyone in the workforce. Setting up a LinkedIn account takes minutes and helps you connect with people you meet professionally.

Jiten also compared the difference between genuine connections and those motivated by favours. For all the favours that one might ask from his/her professional network, it’s important to give back more than what you receive and help out a fellow professional as well.

4. Assess your risks

From taking on a new role to joining a different industry, risks are often needed to achieve goals and objectives. Taking a calculated risk means you carefully assess the possible outcomes before you take a chance.

Takeaway:
Jiten uses the Research, Rationalise, Ideas, and Success (RRIS) framework to assess risk. Research the potential outcome of any risk before committing to it. This can range from checking out job reviews or even asking a professional contact on a prospective job offer. Rationalising the scenario in your mind is just as important, which helps to prepare for any potential speed bumps.

Consider the potential ideas you might have when taking on the risk helps to determine if the risk is suitable for you. Lastly, don’t forget to focus on the success and prospects of the risk over the negative repercussions. This helps to determine which risk to take on.

[Here’s how three individuals took on a career switch amid COVID-19]

5. Don't sweat the small stuff

More often than not, it’s the small things that affect happiness at work. Trivial matters such as participating in office politics don't add anything to your career and Jiten encourages individuals to stay out of it. “If you’re not sure if it’s a small or big issue, think of what’s the worst scenario that can happen. If you’re okay with it, then it’s probably small.”

Takeaway:
ocus on the big picture at work. Why are you here? Why did you choose this job? These questions ought to help steer you on the right path towards greater job satisfaction. If you’ve made a mistake at work, learn from it. It’ll only help you improve and become better.

6. It doesn't hurt to ask

“I used to be afraid of being vocal at my workplace,” recalls Jiten. “I was afraid of being rejected and overly demanding.”

He later realised that if you do not ask, the answer will always be no. Sharing more about how he managed to land his current role in pre-sales, Jiten said that it was a result of asking certain colleagues about the role and enquiring from within.

Takeaway:
People are willing to help if you’re willing to raise your hand and ask for what you believe in. The worst thing that can happen will always be a no. Don’t be afraid to ask.

7.   Bring your authentic self to work, but not your whole self

Jiten notices that people tend to hide behind a mask at the workplace. Yet, he realises that those who get promoted are not only authentic but tend to represent the core values of the company.

Takeaway:
Jiten aligns his personal life to what his company does, such as participating in CSR programs which he strongly believes in. “I do not bring my whole self to work,” shared Jiten. “That’s because there are certain things in my life that might have some negativity such as a family problem that I do not wish to share with my colleagues.”

Lessons from the workforce

When asked about how he managed to get into jobs despite not having the relevant experience, Jiten shared that it’s important to know the skill sets you have and what you bring to the table.

“How you sell yourself is very important,” he explains. “It’s how you frame your cv/experience to employees.” He recounted how he tailored his approach to include project and stakeholder management when applying for a role in HR consulting, despite having only experience in HR then.

Interested to attend webinars to learn more from industry-leading professionals? Plenty of skills-related and thematic sectorial webinars are being hosted weekly. From insightful presentations by industry-leading professionals to information on training available to support your career transition or progression, check out Skills & Training Advisory Services!