Survey: Luck Plays Big Role In Career Success

When it comes to finding a job or advancing your career, there are numerous ways of getting ahead. Not the least of those, of course, is hard work. But a recent poll shows that a vast majority of workers credit something far more intangible -- luck.

A worldwide survey of more than 7,000 members of social-networking site LinkedIn shows that 84 percent of them believe in career luck.

Further, slightly less than half -- 48 percent -- said they believe that they have better luck compared to other workers.

Out of the 15 countries in which LinkedIn members were polled, the U.S. ranked the seventh "luckiest" nation, with 49 percent of respondents saying that they felt slightly or much luckier than other professionals.

According to survey results, the top five most important factors that contribute to luck on the job are:

• Having strong communications skills
• Being flexible
• Having a strong work ethic
• Acting on opportunities
• Having a strong network

Among U.S. respondents, the most important factor attributed to luck is a "strong work ethic," chosen by 70 percent of those polled.

For more, check out the infographic below by LinkedIn that shows in which countries workers feel they're the luckiest professionally. (Click the image to view a larger pdf version.)

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