While it is the time of year when many of us are thinking about “luck,” is there a way to bring your own luck to your career? What really is luck? Did you know the chances of finding a four-leaf clover on your first try are about one in 10,000, but the odds of advancing your career are significantly better—when you take intentional and proactive steps. Here are four tips you need to know to be lucky in your career.

Take a Proactive Approach

One of the first keys to being lucky is being able to anticipate what’s ahead in your career based on what’s happening around you. This means you’ll always want to understand the context of company goals and decisions and stay alert of any organizational changes or needs. For example, if you get the sense your organization is considering big changes in your department, start creating a strategy for what your next steps might be. Or, perhaps your team has had a change in leadership and now you’re reporting to a new manager, be sure to reach out and connect with them sooner rather than later to start building your working relationship.

Additionally, when it comes to taking a proactive approach, you should always be exploring. Get curious about your industry and what it takes to be successful in it. Maybe this means getting certifications or additional credentials that match your career interests and seeking to learn and develop yourself in new areas all the time. By staying attuned to the next things that interest you, you’ll be ready in case your present situation changes, and you need to make plans for the future.

Be Prepared to be Flexible

Sometimes, when you need to make a change in your career, the ideal role may not emerge in your current workplace. If this becomes the case for you, it’s not a bad idea to accept what’s available and know you can move on from there. For example, you may love your company or your team, but the role isn’t to the level you’d like to be, know you can work hard to get there. However, never settle for something that’s drastically beneath your capabilities or for toxic company culture.

If the role is close enough to perfect, or requires you to compromise on your core values, then taking a less-than-ideal role can be a legitimate and smart move. Remember, it’s usually easier to find a job when you’re already employed, sometimes gaps on a resume can be a turnoff to employers.

Being prepared that you may need to be flexible in your current role – or a new role you’re taking – can help you bring more luck to your overall career goals.

Build Connections

Did you know that statistically, your next job or career step will more than likely not be from your primary network, but instead from your secondary or extended connections? This is because typically, the people you’re closest to, usually have access to the same information as you related to new opportunities. Thinking about it, this makes sense since your closest network typically consists of people you currently work with. However, your more extended connections tend to have access to more leads about opportunities that you probably don’t. Building more connections with your extended network is a great way to ensure you’re “lucky” in your next career move or job.

You can’t just reach out to these distant connections and expect they’ll be ready to assist you. It will be essential to build a relationship with them first before asking for their help and insights. First off, send notes to wish people well or seek to provide them value by forwarding articles that may interest them. Nurture your connections on a continuous and meaningful basis. Then, when you need some good luck to move into your next career step, you’ll have people in your corner you can reach out to and you can seek support from.

Be Ready to be Brave

It’s no secret that a career move involves some risk. It’s important to weigh all the pros and cons of what potentially could happen when you accept a new role or promotion. In the end, when the pros outweigh the cons, it’ll mean you’ll need to take the brave step of moving forward in your career! When you’re ready to be brave and take the plunge into the next steps in your career, you may just find some more luck as you pave your way into your future.

It’s important to remember that often luck really isn’t simply pure luck at all. You’ll need to put in the effort to be proactive in your career, be flexible in the face of change, build a vast network of connections, and when the time comes, be brave and take the plunge. Now is a great time to explore, be proactive and build relationships that will move you positively forward in your career.

About EG Workforce Solutions

We’ve been in this business for decades and have developed a deep network of professional connections. Whether they’re companies looking for talent, job seekers looking for work, or an up-and-coming store in need of some temporary help, we know the right people to bridge the gap between the hiring and the hired.

But what’s more, we get to know people. From employers hiring to candidates looking, we take the time to listen and learn. We hear your likes, talents, and needs. We gain an understanding, and with it, we’re able to facilitate lasting relationships between businesses and people.