The SheerLuxe Team’s Top Careers Tips

Best Advice Received

The best career advice always came from my dad. His 'read it three ways' policy has been a helpful tool since the very beginning. So often when we receive an email, letter or WhatsApp, we assume a tone that the sender may not be implying. You have to read it in three different tones of voice to take a measured approach. It's pretty good life advice generally! He has also always taught me to 'only do what you can do'. There's no satisfaction or productivity in trying to get involved where you're not additive. Put ego aside and work out what you're really good at, and then... do that. 

Finally, although it's a cliché to quote Warren Buffett, I find this quote immensely useful in all areas of my career, whether it's knowing how to respond to a difficult email or tackling comments online: “You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you, that means everyone else can control you. Breath and allow things to pass.”

Advice For Others

The advice I always give relates to that Warren Buffett quote; if something has triggered an emotional response, do not respond within 24 hours. Always, always sleep on it. I have frequently regretted a knee-jerk emotional response. More often than not, with a good night's sleep and some clarity, the problem seems smaller and your response will be more measured. 

Then, I can reel off a long list of things I've found very useful, and also qualities I've loved seeing in my peers or younger members of staff. Change always feels scary, but often it can be good. Say yes to everything at the beginning of your career. Before taking a problem to a senior member of staff, come up with a solution. Don't ask, don't get. And for goodness’ sake, if you're applying for a job, explain why you want to work for that business, not just why they should want you.

Best Advice Received

Focus on yourself. In many offices, it can be far too easy to compare and measure yourself against your peers’ achievements – especially when you’re just starting out. Work is so much more enjoyable if you’re able to focus on what you want to do more of, rather than being blinkered by what other people are up to around you. Two, meet as many people as you can, whether that’s on work trips, at networking events or grabbing a quick coffee. You’ll build better relationships and get over any fear of being in a room full of strangers very quickly (a good skill for life in general) – and you never know where else you might meet those people in the future. And finally, if it doesn’t come naturally, learn how to big yourself up! Many of us are taught from a young age that if you get your head down and work really hard, you’ll be recognised. But in a crowded office of hard workers, that will only get you so far. Be your own PR and have regular conversations where you can highlight all the impressive things you might be quietly doing unnoticed.

Advice For Others

Get out of your comfort zone. When I started at SheerLuxe six years ago, I wouldn’t even let friends and family take a photo of me. Although I was hired as a writer, the beauty of SheerLuxe is its variety, and I quickly got thrown into the podcasts and onto the Show sofa – and therefore in front of the camera. Fast-forward to today, and the broadcasting element of my role is pretty much my favourite part of the job – something that seems laughable to my friends and would have been unthinkable half a decade ago.

Best Advice Received

In the early stages of my career, my manager shared a valuable perspective: “It's only marketing; no one is going to die.” Though it may sound extreme, this advice serves as a constant reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, our work is not a matter of life or death. While I take my responsibilities seriously and strive to achieve the best work, if something doesn't go live or a project encounters a hiccup, it's a setback, not a catastrophe.

Advice For Others

Pressure is a privilege. Experiencing nervousness or anxiety about a presentation or a challenging task signifies that you've been entrusted with something meaningful. You've been asked for a reason, and it might lead to an incredible opportunity. Embrace the pressure, as it often paves the way for growth and achievement.

Best Advice Received

Always be proactive. Show initiative instead of just doing what was asked. One thing that most companies, no matter the industry, have in common is the strive for innovation and improvement. I used to be scared to give my point of view and share ideas – I thought I was too young or too inexperienced to have substantial ideas. It can feel terrifying to voice your opinion (especially regarding changing something within the company) to the person that is essentially paying your bills. But I also knew I wanted to grow, so I gathered ideas, contributed more in meetings and asked to be more involved when it came to brainstorms. Of course, not all my ideas were winners, but the effort eventually paid off –and there is nothing quite as rewarding as sharing ideas and being validated by your superiors. I also learned that it’s okay to let your superiors know if you think something they have implemented might not be quite right. Just always make sure to be constructive and come to the conversation with alternative solutions.

Advice For Others

You’re allowed to fail. This is something I wish I’d known earlier in life, as I always thought failure was a career killer. It’s so easy to let yourself get down about harsh criticism, take it too personally and feel the need to capitulate. But I’ve learned that failure can be used as a tool to embrace success. Listening to criticism after making a mistake can be some of the most helpful advice for your career. It’s so vital not to think of it as a personal attack or a dismissal of your skillset, but to take the criticism in and use it constructively to improve your work. The more you allow yourself to fail from time to time, the more confident you will become in your job.

Best Advice Received

Maintain curiosity. Being good at your job doesn't mean you don't have to have all the answers at the drop of a hat. Of course, in every job there's the information you should know for your role, and you should stay informed about your industry and landscape, but it's okay to not have the answers to everything. There's nothing more prohibitive to business development and growth than a team of people who stop discussions at the point of not knowing how to do something. Be the person who is willing to find out the ‘how to’, solve the problem or discover newness, and it will serve you well.

Advice For Others

‘No’ can actually be the start of something, not the end. It can be easy to let rejection hold you back, whether that’s a job interview you didn't get hired from or a promotion you didn't make. This is something I learned fairly early on in my career, and I think most people experience this at some point, often multiple times. I could have let some quite brutal and untrue opinions of one senior person in a company I worked for (after I had handed my notice in) affect my confidence going into my next role. Instead, I reminded myself of the accomplishments I'd made at that business and why I was leaving in the first place. Those brutal words served me well in the end as I used them as motivation to prove that person wrong. Often these moments hold the power to knock your confidence and self-doubt seeps in. The truth is, most successful careers involve a fair amount of determination, brushing off and getting back up again. Use any set-backs as an opportunity, not the end of the road.

Best Advice Received

Be self-aware, but be open and responsive to change. It was an action rather than advice that has had the most impact on me. A previous publisher recognised something I didn’t see in myself and booked me on a public speaking course ahead of a big event. I had written myself off as a co-host. She thought otherwise. I did it and it was one of the most rewarding career experiences I’ve ever had. Her confidence in me re-instilled my confidence in myself. I learnt from that – not only how important it is to sometimes do what makes you feel uncomfortable, but to constantly push your personal boundaries and encourage and support others in doing the same.

Advice For Others

Take on a new challenge or do something that goes against your nature, character or self-perception. Working for someone who encourages and inspires you is the only way to grow. Nurturing people’s careers is a real privilege – I always find it more effective to inspire others to do their best work, rather than telling them to.