We’ve all heard the saying, “Art imitates life.” TV characters become
our favorites because they strike a chord with our own reality. We
either relate to them or there is some aspect of their lives and
attitudes we wish we could emulate. Sure, you may not be a fugitive from
the FBI or an impossibly perky vampire, but even these exaggerated
characters provide solid career advice.
Learn from their victories and mistakes, read a little between the lines, and inspire yourself to reach that next goal at work.
1. Jessica Pearson — “Suits”
Appearance matters.
People judge you in the immediate seconds after seeing you. Jessica
(Gina Torres) is a powerful head of a successful law firm, and it’s
evident just by looking at her. Her professional, tailored clothes are
sexy without being inappropriate. She isn’t afraid to experiment with
high fashion, making clients feel she’s ahead of the curve.
Clothes don’t entirely make the woman. You also want to stand tall,
speak with confidence, and maintain a cool demeanor even in tense
situations. Like Jessica, command attention the moment you arrive and
then hold that attention for the rest of the meeting.
2. Raymond “Red” Reddington — “The Blacklist”
You can’t succeed without strong relationships.
You don’t want to relate too strongly to a murderous sociopath, but
there is no denying that Red’s (James Spader) extensive network of
contacts is impressive. He’s amassed an incredible fortune and kept
himself alive in a dangerous business by using his wit and charm to
cultivate friends and useful resources. The more people he knows, the
more valuable a contact he himself becomes, and his network expands even
further.
Many of us have someone like Red in our lives. He’s the one who says
“I know a guy,” to any problem you’ve ever encountered. If you don’t
have the personality to build that kind of network, focus on getting to
know the people who do.
3. Alicia Florrick — “The Good Wife”
Don’t be afraid to change careers.
Alicia (Julianna Margulies), a former stay-at-home mother and
political wife, plunged back into the workforce at the bottom rung of a
law firm. Since then, she’s moved up to a partnership in the practice,
started her own firm, merged with another firm, and taken on a political
career. She earned increasingly greater money and prestige, changed
lives and enriched her own.
While career shifts are stressful, follow Alicia’s lead and never
give up. Bravely face new challenges, learn new skills, and keep an open
mind about change, even if it is drastic. Not every move will be
successful, but you’ll gain invaluable wisdom and experience. Even when
things seem to be at their worst, we know Alicia has the talent,
resources, and guts to start all over again. You can do the same.
4. Sheldon Cooper — “The Big Bang Theory”
Find order in the chaos.
Sure, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is obsessively compulsive about sitting
in the optimum corner of the couch and complying with rigid roommate
agreements. It is wise to have some semblance of order in your work
life, however. Keeping your desk organized helps you more efficiently
find files and supplies when you need them. Maintaining routines on
small tasks makes it easier to complete them on autopilot.
Having order in at least part of your day provides comfort and
stability. This helps reduce stress and makes it easier to deal with
chaotic days, and eliminate any Sheldon-level meltdowns when a project
doesn’t go exactly as planned.
5. Rayna James — “Nashville”
Know when to be your own boss.
Rayna (Connie Britton) stayed with Edgehill Records for as long as
they kept her career on track. Once she felt herself getting shoved
aside in favor of new artists, she made the move to start her own label.
While we haven’t always agreed with her business skills, we can’t deny
that Rayna saved her own career.
If you feel stagnant and disrespected at your current workplace, and
see promotions going to new hires, consider cutting the cord. Become a
consultant, do freelance work, or start your own firm. You know your own
strengths better than anyone, and can take charge of your own destiny.
6. Nick Burkhardt — “Grimm”
Information is power.
Where would Nick (David Giuntoli) be without all of those books in
his aunt’s trailer? As a Grimm, his very survival depends on knowing
exactly what he’s dealing with. The same is true in your career.
Sometimes a metaphorical Wesen might leap up out of nowhere, but in most
cases there is time to plan.
Do your research before a new job interview, or when courting a new
client, or launching a new website. Seek advice from successful people,
and learn from your predecessors. The more information you have, the
easier it is to answer questions, solve problems, or lunge at
opportunities when they come up.
7. Caroline Forbes — “The Vampire Diaries”
Maintain a social life.
Barring the whole “turning off emotions” part of her life, Caroline
(Candice Accola) has always been the cheeriest vampire on television. No
matter what supernatural danger confronts her, she’s ready to take time
out for a party. While the “TVD” universe is pretty surreal, there is a
method to Caroline’s madness.
Constant work leads to burnout, and also keeps you removed from the
real world. If you’re trying to market to people, or create a new
product, it helps to actually interact with those your business is
trying to reach. Learn from Caroline and encourage your coworkers to
take time out as well. When everyone has the chance to blow off steam,
there’s a lot less carnage when things get stressful.
8. Harold Finch — “Person of Interest”
Privacy is a good thing.
Harold (Michael Emerson) has some good ideas about privacy, but you
don’t need to live off the grid in an old subway station to get the same
privacy. Maybe a super computer isn’t tracking you down with murderous
intent, but that doesn’t mean no one’s watching. Don’t share every
detail of your life on social media. Those radical political ideas, bad
jokes, or embarrassing hangover photos could cost you a promotion, or
even your job.
Consider keeping your private life separate in the office as well,
especially at a new job. Get to know people better before you trust them
with secrets. As Harold and his devoted colleagues have shown us, the
friendships worth having take a bit longer to cultivate.
Maintaining a career is so much more than just showing up to work
each day. These eight characters teach us that everything from the first
impression you make up to the life you lead outside work matters. You
don’t reside in the same glamorous or dangerous worlds these fictional
people do, but adapt their wisdom to help you find success in your
career.
