1. Who is giving it? (and Why?) 
​The first thing to consider is who the giver of advice is - and his/her intentions. 

Generally, you want to be taking advice from (1) trustworthy people you know (2) people who know more than you. 

Everyone has an opinion, but it doesn't mean you have to listen to them. In times of crisis and problem-solving, be selective about whom you get advice from. ​

It also depends on your personality type. Are you the sort that is easily swayed? In that case, don't just ask anyone and everyone, and take Google searches with a pinch of salt. Make sure you curate who you are seeking advice from. 

​If you have a clear head and logical mind, you can cast your net wider. Just make sure you digest the advice and think twice before you act on anything. 

1. Choose something you actually like
​The best way to be successful at anything is to actually have a passion to do it. This keeps you wanting to do your job for the long-term and means that your career is sustainable. 

If you're internally motivated as an employee, to want to do the work, to want to help the company grow, every company would love to hire you. 

A recent career survey with 1,000 executives showed that they had no regrets making these career moves. 

1. Quitting a job they didn't like - 56%
Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate. 

While you shouldn't up and quit with no savings or back-up plan, you should take steps to shift gears if you feel that this job is not for you. 

When there is a will, there is a way. With today's fast-changing economy and job climate, changing jobs is no longer a big hassle. Spruce up your CV (How to upgrade your CV here) and get in touch with some recruiters. As long as you take the first step, there is no holding you back. 

2. Changing fields or industries - 41%
Similar to the above, if you truly dislike the current field or industry you are in, or see no long-term potential, sometimes it's best to bite the bullet and just go for the change. Looks like the 1,000 executives agreed as well. 

No change is too big, there are success stories of people going back to their school in their 40s and becoming a doctor. Ultimately, you are in charge of your own life. And we don't want to die with regrets. 

1. Your first job
Your first job is important, it sets the tone for your entire career. 

Choose wisely, and aim for the best. If you are trying to break into competitive niche areas, just keep trying until you get there. 

In the beginning, it is tempting to think short-term and make decisions to get paid more or get promoted quickly. If you ask the people who have done very well in their careers, they all emphasize that it is more important to adopt a long-term view of your career. Do the things that benefit you in the long-term. Don't sacrifice the forest for a tree.

In practical terms, you may want to pick a company where you learn the most, where you are being challenged and have good mentors, even if it means you are not being paid the highest bonuses or have the fanciest title. Focus on developing your skills. In the long-term, having the right foundational skill-sets will truly bring you far.  

You are only young once. You have the time and energy to try your best, in any competitive field. You can hustle, and this really counts in the first stage of your career.  People are also very understanding when you are young and new, and are more willing to give you room to make mistakes. This stage is also the time to find good mentors, and prove yourself to them. Don't think about how they can benefit you, think about how you can benefit them. Providing value is the best way to network. 

In this series, SuccessGoGo interviews successful professionals from banking, consulting and law to provide helpful insights on climbing the corporate ladder. In this interview, SuccessGoGo sat down with Michael, an investment banker at a leading investment bank in Singapore.

What's the best part about being a banker?
The width of exposure to multiple industries and businesses, interaction with leaders of industry and c-suite level management very early on in career and learning from senior bankers.

Did anything at school help prepare you for the job?
The soft skills you learn (teamwork, communications, project management, etc) in school probably matter a lot more than whatever is officially taught as part of your degree. The caveat is that you will also polish your technical and financial skills and knowledge to the level needed to pass the interviews and start on the job.

In this series, SuccessGoGo interviews successful professionals from banking, consulting and law to provide helpful insights on climbing the corporate ladder. In this interview, SuccessGoGo sat down with Mel, a litigation lawyer who is a senior associate at a leading firm in Singapore.

What's the best part about being a lawyer?
The intellectual challenge, cases / disputes are interesting, and other litigation lawyers make fun colleagues.

Did anything at school help prepare you for the job?
The law clinic module at NUS was helpful! For general litigation, contract, credit security, torts, equity and ICA modules were useful. Moots are also useful experience for litigators / good for your CV and definitely do internships during vacation time.

In this series, SuccessGoGo interviews successful professionals from banking, consulting and law to provide helpful insights on climbing the corporate ladder. In this interview, SuccessGoGo sat down with Shelby, a private wealth banker at a leading bank in Singapore.

What's the best part about being a banker?
Talking to people! People are fascinating, everyone has different thoughts, desires, retirement goals and their own definition of happiness. You also get to understand their perspective on family life and career and truly respect what they have build for themselves.

Did anything at school help prepare you for the job?
Not directly. I studied neither finance nor majored in economics. What prepared me was being open to trying new things and learning how to look at things in multiple perspectives.

In this series, SuccessGoGo interviews successful professionals from banking, consulting and law to provide helpful insights into climbing the corporate ladder. In this interview, SuccessGoGo sits down with Rachel, a management consultant who has worked in consulting firms in both London and Singapore.

What's the best part about being a consultant?
The best part is working on a variety of cases across industries and functions, and having wide exposure and experience in a variety of sectors. It is very empowering not to be pigeonholed into any single sector, and fuels my excitement to learn more and experience more.

I am also very grateful that in this field, I am able to deal with senior management from client companies from the start, whereas in other careers, you typically would not be able to interact with senior management at a junior position.

I also enjoy traveling for work and the excellent networking opportunities that I get from the constant exposure to new people on the job.