You know those people who always seem to be in the right place at the right time? The ones who stumble into great jobs, get introduced to influential people, or get headhunted without even trying? How often do we put it down to luck and wish that it was us instead?
It’s easy to chalk it up to luck, but here’s the truth: luck is not often found, it’s built over time.
Career ‘Luck’ is Visibility
You may have the best resume or personal website, or even be the best performer in your team, but if you’re not visible or raising your profile, then no one knows what you want or what you can do. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely good things are going to happen. If you want to be promoted, yet keep your ambitions to yourself, the chances of being overlooked are high.
Don’t wait for luck to happen, start building your own success using these simple methods to put yourself out there.
1. Tell People What You’re Looking For
It sounds so simple, but most people don’t do it. Mention to your network — friends, ex-colleagues, online contacts — what kind of role, project, or opportunity you’re seeking or are interested in.
By being specific, you increase your chances, for example don’t say: ‘I’m open to anything’, make it clear what you are open to, e.g: ‘I’m looking to move into UX design with a focus on accessibility’.
People can’t connect you to luck unless they know where you want to go and what you can do.
2. Be Findable
Have you Googled yourself recently? Could you find yourself? Is your LinkedIn up to date? Does your information reflect your current skills and experience or are they years out of date?
Make sure your online presence reflects where you're going, not just where you've been and don’t forget to add in keywords, share your work, and comment on relevant posts. Visibility builds opportunity and you will be surprised how employers, colleagues and friends will appreciate your comments and shares.
3. Say Yes More Often (Within Reason)
A surprising amount of career magic comes from saying yes to something that seems small or random such as:
Speaking on a panel
Mentoring a student or team member
Attending a workshop or industry talk
Helping in a voluntary capacity
Taking on a side project
These small things can lead to big breakthroughs — not immediately, but over time. By widening your network, raising your profile and adding to your skills and expertise, you never know where these steps will take you or who you will meet or impress along the way.
4. Ask for Conversations, Not Jobs
Instead of sending cold job applications, try asking for a 15-minute chat with someone who’s doing what you want to do. People are more likely to help when they’re not being asked for a job, but for insight, with the added bonus that when something does come up later, guess who they think of?
5. Keep Showing Up
Consistency is key - keep sharing, reaching out, learning, applying and your luck will build momentum when people see your name more than once. If you only apply when you’re desperate, or you only network when you need something, you're missing the point - career luck is cumulative.
Final Thought: Make Yourself Lucky
Lucky people aren’t necessarily smarter or more talented, they’re just more visible, more open and more intentional about where they want to go. Show your work, start conversations, be specific, say yes and keep showing up as it will all add up over time.
The more dots you put out there, the more likely they are to connect and what looks like luck will actually be the result of a dozen small, brave steps you took behind the scenes.