How to navigate your career like a boss

Estimated reading time
 5 min

Learn all about

• Getting your first job
• Changing your career
• What to do when you reach different milestones
• Making the most of redundancy

It’s hard to beat that good feeling of being offered your dream job or earning a promotion in an industry you’re passionate about.

For a lot of us, our career is a big part of our lives. It can give us our weekly dose of socialising, a purpose in life (and at work), and an income.

But if you’re new to the job scene, how do you get started with your first job? Or if you’ve been working for many moons, how can you change jobs when things start feeling stale? Maybe you want to negotiate a pay rise or get the best possible contract for your new gig.

Regardless of where you’re at with your career, we’re here to help. Let’s dive in.

Landing your first job

It can sometimes be tricky to work out how to get your first job, especially in a competitive job market. When it comes to making yourself employable, everyone has to start somewhere (even the big dogs up top). Here are some quick tips to get the ball rolling:

• Get your essentials ready: Your Tax File Number (TFN) and bank account are easy to set up – plus it’s free to do so.
• Create a standout resume or CV: Use free online templates and tools to make your resume or CV pop.
• Do your research to find jobs: Go to online job boards, chat with contacts and check your social media to see what’s available.
• Get savvy with your finances: Use our 50/20/30 budget planner to paint a picture of your finances and get a better understanding of where your cash is going and how to start savings towards your financial goals, when you start earning the big bucks.

  Hot tip:

Your employer will have a default superannuation fund, which is where your super will go if you don’t nominate your own account. If you can, research a super fund that has low maintenance costs and comes with solid returns – future you (and your savings) will be happy!

Shaking up your career

Changing your career or going through a job change can give you and your finances a boost. Plus, you can try something that you’ve been wanting to do for a while now, or advance in your specific industry.

Some job changes might come with new negotiations you’ll need to make. From securing a decent salary or wage from the outset (or making a pay rise request later) to getting better working conditions or benefits, knowing how to ask the questions can make a difference.

On top of that, you’ll need to understand the new contract that will come with the change – no matter if it’s a full time, part time or even casual contract. Your contract can help you to understand what you’re entitled to, how many hours you need to work, and various policies and procedures.
 

  Hot tip:

Keep your financial goals in mind when negotiating your contract. For example, getting a salary increase with a new role might help you work towards your savings goal, but the daily office commute might offset the new pay. But if you ask for a few extra work from home days and a smaller pay rise, your savings might grow thanks to the new contract (and your excellent negotiating skills).

When life has other plans

Life often comes with many adventures and milestones. Think moving overseas, having a baby (or two), and settling into your twilight years to retire. Then there are the things we don’t expect to happen, like falling ill, becoming injured or acquiring a disability.

These moments, whether positive or challenging, will impact on your career and finances in different ways. For instance, having a child means that you’ll have an extra mouth to feed and time off work to look after the newborn. Knowing how to balance career and family can really make a different for your finances and personal life.
 

  Hot tip:

A strong budget can help you work out how these big milestones will affect your finances. It’s also a smart way to map out what changes you’ll need to make to accommodate these life moments.

Making redundancy work for you

Being made redundant might’ve come at the right time for some people. Maybe you were ready to move to a different role, or you are able to use it as an opportunity for a career break. Of course, redundancy can come with a lot of anxieties about the future too – your finances will be affected, and your life might get flipped upside down.

But you don’t have to navigate this new stage alone. From understanding your rights to working out the next steps, our Managing Redundancy Life Guide has helpful information you can use to get yourself back on track.
 

  Hot tip:

Before you dive into something new straight away, take a moment to check in with your finances and work out what supports you can access. For instance, your insurance policy might cover your loss of income for a period. By assessing your finances now, you can make a well-informed decision about the future.

Read more about how to change jobs like a boss