5 career secrets to get ahead

With the collapse of our economy and advances in technology, automation and globalization, the workplace has changed significantly.

Today, there’s no linear career path. A college degree won’t guarantee you a job, and the economy is so volatile that where you start will probably not be where you end up.

Things that mattered in the past—your GPA and college major—aren’t as important as your network, online presence, work ethic and the right skills. These days we’re playing by a completely different set of rules.

Here are five career secrets that will help you stand out, create new opportunities and get ahead at work:

1. Think inside the box.

The average millennial worker will stay at his first employer for a mere two years before moving on. If millennials don’t see opportunities to move up, they may move out.

But there’s more than one way to advance and gain new experiences and skills. You can make a lateral move by switching to a different department or applying for a new position internally. When everyone is looking to move out, searching from within makes you stand out.