25 harsh truths about your career

Here are 25 career lessons I've learned at 25 that I wish I knew earlier

Author

Michael Ly
24 Dec

Read Time: 3 min

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👂️ 25 harsh truths I wish I knew earlier

  • 8 networking lessons

  • 8 interview lessons

  • 9 career growth lessons

📵 TikTok ban updates | Trump trolls Canada | and more news

🌐 LinkedIn post of the week: 9 signs your work life balance is out of control

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TOPIC
25 harsh truths I wish I knew earlier

🔵 Here’s what I’ve learned from my career (so far)

Hi everyone! We’re keeping this week’s email nice and brief.

With 2025 right around the corner (and me turning 25 this year), I figured this was a good time to reflect.

I’m 2.5 years into my career and here are 25 things I’ve learned so far.

Networking lessons

  1. Resumes alone are no longer enough

  2. Coffee chats aren’t optional, they’re a must for opportunities

  3. In this market, cold emails get more responses than applications

  4. Large networking events are useless, stick to 1:1s

  5. If you requested it, it’s your responsibility to carry the conversation

  6. Networking works best when you help others before yourself

  7. The 3rd or 4th conversation is the best time to ask for favors

  8. Be interested, not interesting, people like to talk about themselves

Interview lessons

  1. A smile and good posture go a long way

  2. Never end an interview early, go the full-length

  3. Before answering a question, take a 5-10 second pause

  4. Keep your “Tell me about yourself” under 2 minutes

  5. Have 5 or more questions ready to ask

  6. Don’t over-prepare, you’ll sound too scripted

  7. Eye-contact rule; keep for 3-4 seconds, look away, repeat

  8. Always send a follow-up email 24 hours after

Career growth lessons

  1. Hard work means nothing if it’s not visible to leaders

  2. Internships will remain surface-level unless you ask for more

  3. If your company uses the term “family,”… run

  4. You can be let go whenever and for any reason

  5. Return offers go to those who networked the most

  6. Job titles are just for egos, don’t get caught up on yours

  7. Always negotiate salary, it never hurts to ask

  8. Keep a list of achievements to vouch for yourself

  9. Have 1:1s with your manager every 1 or 2 weeks

Closing Thoughts:

Do you think I missed anything? Reply and let me know!

See you next Tuesday 🤝

-Michael Ly

P.S. miss last week’s email? Read 3 networking strategies to start today 

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MOTIVATION
LinkedIn post of the week

9 Signs Your Work-Life Balance is Out of Control

Is work quietly stealing your life? These 9 signs say ‘yes’.… | 196 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/posts/mostynwilson_9-signs-your-work-life-balance-is-out-of-activity-7272882913690488835-q53Q?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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