Career Tips for Women in Their 20s From HR Experts

Your 20s is truly a time for living. You’re finally being taken seriously, but still young enough to get away with making some mistakes and not have them scar you for life. You also don’t need to be tied down; and we’re not just talking about relationships. When it comes to work and a career, there’s still time to find what you’re looking for. We spoke with Gina Trimarco and Rachel Tipton, business executives, entrepreneurs and co-hosts of the podcast Women Your Mother Warned You About and they offered up some pearls of wisdom. “These are the things I’d tell my 20-something self if I could,” says Trimarco.

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Research the company

It's common sense: if you're applying for a job, you need to know what it's all about. Well, the same goes for the company. You also need to be aware of what the organization is like and if it's a good fit for you.

"When interviewing for a new job or company, do your due diligence to learn about the company's culture and values and make sure your culture and values match theirs," urges Trimarco. "But you won't truly know what's in store for you until you're on the job."

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Don’t compare yourself to others

Particularly to other woman. "Instead, take assessment of what you excel at, continue to master those things and remind your bosses of your value," says Trimarco. "No one is going to cheerlead you better than you."

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You can excel in a male-dominated workplace

Gender inequality is still very real, but it shouldn't stop you from pursuing what you want to do. In fact, it should only fire you up all the more. Yes, way easier said than done, but if there's going to be any change, why not have it start with you?

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Take one for the team

"Be the person willing to do the tasks others — including yourself — don't want to do," advises Trimarco. "You'll be remembered as a go-to person who is easy to work with and you'll learn new things that will pay you dividends later."

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Create a win-win situation

Sometimes, to make yourself shine, you have to shine a lot on your colleagues first. "Take the initiative and look for ways to make others look good," suggests Trimarco. "Busy bosses will elevate people who are action-oriented problem solvers who don't need constant structure. When you make others look good, you automatically look good." And it also shows higher-ups that you're a team player — which is a quality all companies want.

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Take the knowledge and run

Your interview was a success, you're offered the job and you can't wait to start. Sounds like the dream, right? But what if it's not? What if, once you're in it, it's not anything like you hoped? That's OK.

"If it's not what you expected, either abandon ship right away or embrace the adventure for awhile because you will advance in your career because of it." A little resume-padding never hurt anyone. Now, if it's a toxic environment, forget all that. Get out of there ASAP.

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Don’t put up with any BS

Be strong and empowered. "Don't take one single moment of someone making you feel small," stresses Tipton. "The first time it happens, plan your exit strategy. There are PLENTY of jobs out there and opportunities to create your own business. Never ever stay in a place that diminishes you."

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Speak up

Sometimes you don't want to speak up because you either don't want it to seem like you don't know what you're doing or there's just that lack of confidence that exists. But that fear has to give sooner or later.

"Use your voice and assert yourself in situations that are important to you," says Trimarco. "Don't assume others know what you want or what you're thinking."

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Dream big

If you are doing your dream job, good for you. "Be all you can be and more," praises Tipton. But if it's not, that's OK too. Heck, you might not even know what your dream job is. Yet. So she suggests to use the job "to fund your dream." It might be a slog, but if it pays the bills and empowers you to figure out what you REALLY want to do, then it's not all bad.

"Learn all you can with humility and take time outside of work to focus on your true passion," she adds. "Or research what skills you need to improve on to land that dream job."

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Your job doesn’t define you

It's totally fine to not love your job. Go in, do what you were hired to do and GTFO of there by the day's end. But if it allows you to spend money on the things you really do enjoy, then that is also considered a success. But you need to be OK with it and be aware that your worth will forever be more than what your job title is.

You might also like this roundup of career mistakes that are OK to make when you're in your 20s.