Career progression doesn’t always come with a clear rulebook. For International Women’s Day 2026, Alicia Phillips, Junior Merchandiser at LOOKFANTASTIC, shares the lessons she’s learned along the way – from understanding your unique strengths to building trust, showing ambition and leaning on the support of those around you.  

Have there been any “unwritten rules of career progression” you’ve discovered along the way that surprised you? 

I think retrospect can be powerful, allowing you to review what’s worked and possibly what you would do differently. The one thing I wish I had done sooner was figuring out what I could contribute and how I could stand out, in marketing terms- what my USP was. Ultimately, to progress, you need to be deemed competent in your job spec but also by gaining the buy in from your managers by standing out and gaining that respect as a trusted member of the team. What do you bring to the team that is valuable, what makes you a strong candidate for new opportunities and how are you showing up outside of the norm.  

What has helped you make your ambitions visible? 

It's always a tricky one to get this right, but the best piece of advice I would give is to stay consistently you. Showing up with the right intentions and tying your aspirations to team or organisational goals makes a big difference. When I express interest in new opportunities by highlighting how I can add value, it shifts the narrative from “pushing for more” to “contributing at a higher level”. Certain forums allow for a time to showcase all the good work, like reviews and 1-1s these are the times to be highlighting the wins personally to your managers. Achieving good things can't be seen in a negative light if you are consciously aligning to your main goals and attributes.  

From your perspective, what makes progression feel clear, fair and accessible? 

Ultimately, progression feels fair when success isn’t mysterious - when you can clearly understand the path, understand the criteria, and trust that your support system is on your side. Making your development a focus in your 1-1s is super important and this is primarily on you as an individual. 

If you could make one change to demystify career growth for junior talent, what would it be? 

One thing I heard early on in my career that has stuck with me, is that no one succeeds alone. It takes a support system, clear ambition and consistent evidence of showing up. Your network allows you to problem-solve and tap into different areas of the business, while your ambition keeps you motivated and engaged, and your consistent track record builds trust and respect for your abilities. 

Failure and setbacks are just a bump in the road and always lead to greater learnings and strength in your role. Owning them and creating a space for honesty and feedback with also build your peers trust and confidence in you as a honest member of the team with the right intentions.