8 Career Lessons from Your Favorite TV Characters

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.