Career Advice Learned the Hard Way

Some career lessons are taught in school. Others are learned after a bad review, a missed promotion, a toxic manager or an unexpected layoff.

Unfortunately, the second group tends to be more useful.

For fashion professionals, here are a few lessons worth learning before experience teaches them the hard way.

Your Boss Matters More Than the Brand

A prestigious company name looks great on a resume, but your direct manager has a much bigger impact on your daily life and career growth.

A strong boss gives you visibility, develops your skills and advocates for you. A bad one can stall your career even at an amazing brand.

When considering a job, interview your future manager too.

Your Work Does Not Speak for Itself

You may be producing great collections, increasing sell-through, improving margins or solving production problems.

That does not mean leadership knows.

Keep track of measurable accomplishments and make your contributions visible without becoming self-promotional. Promotions often go to people whose value is understood, not simply those who work the hardest.

HR Works for the Company

HR can be helpful, professional and supportive, but its primary responsibility is to protect the organization.

That doesn’t mean you should distrust HR. It means you should understand the relationship.

When dealing with serious workplace issues, document important conversations, understand company policies and think carefully before assuming a conversation is completely informal or confidential.

See also: 10 Career Tips HR Will Probably Never Tell You

Coworkers Aren’t Always Confidants

Fashion can be a small, highly connected industry.

Be careful about sharing plans to quit, salary information, frustrations with management or details about an active job search. Information has a way of traveling.

Professional relationships matter long after you leave the company.

See also: Job Hunting in Fashion? Keep It Quiet!

Loyalty Doesn’t Guarantee Security

You can be talented, dedicated and highly valued—and still get laid off.

Budget cuts, acquisitions, leadership changes and restructuring can eliminate good jobs occupied by good employees.

Keep your resume updated, maintain your network and know what your skills are worth in the market even when you’re happy where you are.

Sometimes You Have to Leave to Grow

Not every company has room for your next promotion.

If the person above you isn’t leaving, the department isn’t growing or management repeatedly overlooks you, working harder may not change the situation.

Sometimes the best career move is finding an organization where your next step actually exists.

The most successful fashion careers are rarely built on talent alone.

They are built on good work, good judgment, strong relationships and knowing when to stay—and when to move on.