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What skills helped you stand out early in your career?

What skills helped you stand out early in your career?

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Thank you comment icon Early on, the skills that helped me stand out were communication, reliability, and initiative. Being able to clearly explain ideas and ask good questions made a big difference, especially in team settings. I also focused on following through on tasks and being someone others could depend on. Taking initiative, like volunteering for extra work or stepping up in leadership roles, helped me gain experience faster. Technical skills matter, but soft skills are often what make you stand out early in your career. Niki
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Vianne’s Answer

Being reliable is crucial early in your career. Simply showing up on time, keeping your promises, and completing your tasks can make a big impression. Many people underestimate this, but employers value dependability.

Communication is also key. Asking questions, seeking clarification, and cooperating with others are important skills. You don't need to know everything right away; what's important is your willingness to learn and ask for help when needed.

Staying curious is essential too. Taking initiative, learning new things, and accepting feedback without getting upset shows you're committed to improving. In the early stages of your career, your attitude and effort are as important as your experience.
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Di’s Answer

Being able to learn quickly. Always being a sponge and able to learn and apply what you are learning to other work. Under-promise and over-deliver on the work you are doing with high quality.
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Kayla’s Answer

What really helped me was asking questions and speaking up in meetings. At first, I was shy about sharing my thoughts, but doing so is key to building your brand and showing your eagerness to learn.

If I could do it all over again, I would spend more time shadowing others to understand different roles and how the business works.

Networking is crucial! Volunteer for projects that let you meet people outside your usual team. This helps you grow and learn more.

Also, pay attention to the company culture. Caring about it can make you stand out.
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Misha’s Answer

Here are some core skills that helped when getting started:

-Collaborating with others / learning from others; when you start out being a ‘sponge’ is the best way to learn and grow.

-Communication + Listening

-Logical thinking / strategic thinking / creative thinking

-Have the courage to ask questions

-Courtesy of Cloudera New Hires: Morgan, Kevin, Mariann, and Cindy

Misha recommends the following next steps:

Setting up meetings with team members and outside your direct team
Engage/sign up for company sponsored development opportunities (like workshops, trainings, etc.)
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Gus’s Answer

The best skill that helped me early in my career is intellectual curiosity! You will not be expected to know everything right away, but coming into work with a mindset of curiosity will 1) encourage you to continue to learn more and 2) show your coworkers that you are eager to lean in to your new position. This will not only help you early in your career, but will evolve as you take on new roles and responsibilities. Good luck!
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Ursa’s Answer

I really enjoyed learning new things and being open to new projects. If I didn't know the answer to a question from a colleague or didn't have the time, I tried to find someone who can help. I rarely said no without offering another option, and I think people appreciated this extra effort and support.
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Adisa’s Answer

Great question! I started my career in a fortune 500 IT company days after I graduated with my bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering. I had no idea what to expect and the products the company sold. I have been with the same company for almost 11 years now.

I believe what set me apart at the beginning of my career was my willingness to learn and always volunteering to take on new projects/initiatives even when I didn't know where to start. I was given a complicated project and assigned a coach to work with. I immediately set up a weekly call with my coach to kick off the project where he guided me step-by-step on what needs to be done. At the same time, I made sure to meet with my manager and give him regular updates to make sure I am on the right path and expectations are being met. At the end of the project, leadership saw the amount of time/effort I had put into the project. My coach and manager praised me and advocated for me. Their first impression, "she didn't know much about the project but that didn't stop her from finding answers," This set up apart from my peers who were given the same task and eventually led me to better projects in the coming months/quarters. At the end of it lead me to a wonderful role I enjoyed and continued to grow in.

Adisa recommends the following next steps:

Ask for advice
Find a coach and or mentor to guide you
most people are willing to help, you just have to ask
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Cliff’s Answer

Good question and some great answers above.

I believe that your first 3-5 years in a role is where you make your reputation. My take on what to do:
1. Show up early for your job and put in the time needed. It's been said "80% of success is just showing up."
2. Be eager to learn; ask questions. Be curious. Figure out what you need to learn to be effective and go after it.
3. Show dedication to the team and the area. Be ready to help wherever needed.
4. Leverage any strengths you have to help the team out. If you have serious skill deficiencies, make sure you address them.
5. Don't be afraid to learn about the personal lives of your colleagues and share yourself - it will help to reach them if you talk about family, hobbies, etc.
6. Be aggressive to take on tasks others won't pick up even if you're not sure how to do it. I found I learned the most when I took risks and forced myself to learn... and when there was a deadline.
7. Seek out multiple mentors. Build a network of people who can help you.

I think that is enough. Carpe Deum!

Thanks.
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Cherie’s Answer

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, and it's normal to worry about making mistakes. But remember, every day is a chance to learn and grow. Meeting new people and improving your communication skills can open doors to new opportunities and help you stand out in any field. Stay positive and keep pushing forward!
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Adaobi Maryann’s Answer

Hello Career Village Office Hours,

These skills helped me stand out early in my career;

Empathy and patient-centered care:
I see patients as individuals with emotional and social needs, not just medical conditions. This has helped me build trust with patients and support them more effectively.

Strong communication skills:
I explain health-related information in simple and relatable ways, which helped patients and community members better understand their care and treatment.

Curiosity and continuous learning:
I consistently seek to understand the science behind healthcare practices and medications. This habit has helped me adapt quickly to new roles and responsibilities.

Adaptability:
My experience across hospital care, public health outreach, and pharmacy support has strengthened my ability to work effectively in different healthcare settings and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Community and public health awareness:
Participating in immunization campaigns and community health outreach programs helped me develop a broader understanding of how social and environmental factors influence health outcomes.

Observation and critical thinking:
I observe patterns in patient care and community health issues, which helps me reflect on how healthcare practices can better serve people.

Thank you.
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Namahshivaya’s Answer

1. Ready to learn and take on any challenges that come my way in the beginning.
2. Open to saying "yes" to new opportunities early on, as it helps in gaining valuable experience for the future.
3. Eager to improve my networking skills, even though it might be tough at first, and start conversations to break the ice.
4. Working on improving my soft skills like communication, writing, and being diplomatic.
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