Here’s a story for you… perhaps it feels familiar. It has to do with a young person whose ambition was high and who sought to make an early leap for a big promotion. As an up-and-coming professional, my friend, Sunny, marched into her senior leader’s office one afternoon… the marketing director left their position, so Sunny confidently declared she wanted to be promoted to the now vacated role. She was 25, relatively new as a marketing and database specialist, and had very limited industry experience.
The response? A good-natured belly laugh and a reality check that would shape the next decade of her career.
“You don’t have the experience yet,” her boss told her gently. “And honestly? You don’t quite have the professional maturity that the role demands. But I love your ambition. Go get that experience – even if it means leaving us. When you’re ready, we’ll talk.”
Most people might have felt deflated or embarrassed. Sunny felt energized.
She spent the next two years absorbing everything she could in her current role. When she’d had her fill of that, she went to work in a different industry for a company where she could own more responsibilities. From there, she moved to another firm in yet another industry that gave her budget authority and team leadership experience. Each move was strategic, building the exact skill set her former boss had outlined.
But here’s the crucial part: she never disappeared. Sunny sent occasional updates about her wins, shared relevant industry articles, and congratulated the company on its successes. When her former colleagues moved to new companies, she maintained those relationships too. She wasn’t just networking blindly – she was nurturing genuine professional friendships.
Ten years after that initial conversation, Sunny reached out to her former boss who was now the COO at another company. She shared that she was looking for a change. Unfortunately, on that day, there was no opportunity to be had. However, six months later, Sunny received the call she’d been hoping for. Her former manager invited her in for an interview for a VP of marketing position.
The interview process was thorough, but the foundation of trust was already there. They knew her character, her growth mindset, and her loyalty. Sunny landed the job – and a salary increase from her previous role.
Looking back, Sunny realizes that initial “rejection” was actually the best career guidance she ever received. Her boss could have simply said no and moved on. Instead, they invested in her future success by giving her a roadmap and keeping the door open.
Whether you are new in your career or continuing to advance in your industry, keep these ideas in mind:
- Bold ambition opens doors, even when the answer is “not yet.” Don’t be afraid to articulate your career goals clearly and early. The worst thing someone can say is “no” – and sometimes they’ll give you a roadmap to “yes.”
- Experience isn’t just about time served – it’s about intentionally building the right skills. Use feedback from senior leaders and mentors to guide your career moves strategically, even if it means leaving your current company to grow.
- Maintain relationships without burning bridges – your network is your net worth. Stay connected authentically with former colleagues and bosses. The person who can’t hire you today might be the one who calls you tomorrow.
Happy Networking!