Hi y’all—Preston here from Fortune, filling in for Orianna.

If you’re a fan of entrepreneurship, you might be celebrating the return of Shark Tank’s 17th season.

The show has catapulted small businesses like Poppi, Ring, and Scrub Daddy into household names, while also spotlighting the hurdles aspiring founders face on the road to success. But landing even a few minutes with an investor is no easy feat—something the Sharks themselves once struggled with.

In an exclusive interview with Fortune, Robert Herjavec—a Croatian-Canadian investor who’s appeared in every season of the show—explained that even he started with uncertainty.

Fresh out of college in 1984, he faced the same dilemma many Gen Z professionals are confronting today: how to get that crucial first break. He cycled through odd jobs, including waiting tables, field producing at the Olympics, and even helping direct a movie, before realizing juggling gigs weren’t helping him stand out.

Instead, he leaned on his backpocket strength in communication and paired it with a rising industry: cybersecurity. That combination made the English major different in a crowded field—and ultimately set him apart.

That turning point underscores a lesson familiar to many career-builders: Standing out rarely comes from doing everything at once. Rather, success comes from doubling down on a single skill or advantage and applying it where demand is growing.

For Herjavec, that fusion ultimately set the stage for his multimillionaire trajectory. It’s the foundation of the advice he gives all aspiring professionals today:

“Be great at one thing. The world does not reward general talent. The only place that works is on Jeopardy.”

—Preston Fore
Success Reporter, Fortune

Got a career tip or dilemma? Get in touch: preston.fore@fortune.com