By focusing on your personal development and enhancing your professional skills, you can progress in your career and achieve your goals. We discuss eight things you can do to find new career growth opportunities today!
Are you following a career path that appears to have reached the end of the line? Often employees hit a wall and feel they have no more opportunities to get ahead in their profession. This can be concerning, as the average person spends roughly 90,000 hours working. That takes up an estimated one-third of their life!
But if you feel like you are struggling to move ahead, good. Because acknowledging it means you are ready to make changes. This is where the ability to adapt becomes a crucial skill. Adapting to trends, market fluctuations, or external circumstances can help employees across industries. In this article, we discuss eight tips you can implement to adapt and move further in your career.
Before you start, you need to introspect and understand the ultimate goal you want to achieve. Some people want to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Others want to be small-town business owners impacting their local economy.
Each person has their idea of what career success is. You have to determine what is the best-suited plan for you. Spend some time imagining what you want your future to look like. Ask yourself where you want to be in your career over the next decade. Then, create career goals that fit this expectation.
Once you define your professional goals, the next step is identifying how to achieve them. Making a career development plan is like crafting a roadmap to success. It can help you stay on track. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish.
Career development is a lifelong journey of learning and skill-building to improve professionally. It is closely linked to career progression. You may be stagnant in your current role because of your limited skill set.
Even in your current role, you should continue to improve your skills with training programs and similar options. By actively looking for development opportunities, you can be proactive about leveling up. It also proves to your employer that you are willing to put in the effort and level up.
Taking up more tasks at your organization can show your manager that you are more capable. These responsibilities can range from mentoring a fresher to handling a high-priority project. Organizations value people who voluntarily take up responsibilities and complete tasks on time.
There is no need to wait for a new job or promotion to work towards your career goals. You can always express a willingness to accept new work, offer additional help, and handle a bigger role. Your boss is likely to give you a promotion when you take initiative and complete your duties on time.
However, it is essential to exhibit consistency and quality in your responsibilities. Your manager will observe you for a while before he promotes you or hands you more work.
A key method of measuring your progress is through constructive feedback. Getting insight into your productivity and work ethic helps you spot mistakes and find new ways of doing things.
We can’t stress this enough - networking is your doorway to new opportunities. Does your company host corporate potlucks or other group events? Make it a point to attend these social gatherings to make new contacts.
You can also make connections online via social media or other avenues. It is no hidden fact that Linkedin is the best social media platform for professionals. According to a study, 122 people secured an interview through the platform. Of these, 35.5 million were employed by someone they connected with on the site. You can join LinkedIn groups and network with people in your industry. Learn from their expertise through posts, articles, and more.
People like people who are willing to help. And when you offer your assistance to others, they are more likely to reciprocate. Reach out to your business connections and offer your help in any way they need. Volunteering can also be a step on the path to career advancement. It helps you give back to your community while creating strong business relationships.
Advancing in your career is not only about developing professional skills. You can be immensely competent at your work, but it shouldn’t go unnoticed. This is when you must fine-tune and reveal personality traits that are crucial in the workplace. Bring your confidence to the forefront. Do not be afraid to express your ideas and opinions or ask for what you want. Show that you are willing to take a chance on that risky but revolutionary idea.
Perhaps your reason for feeling stagnant is dissatisfaction with your current career. If you have been considering a career change, you are not alone. On average, a person will change their careers 5-7 times.
Start by looking out for opportunities in different verticals within your company. Statistics show that hiring within a company is six times more effective than other hiring methods. This way, you can learn a new skill on the job while staying with your current employer.
Still not satisfied with the work at hand? If you want to achieve a higher level of career growth, consider starting your own business. Maybe it has already crossed your mind before, but you struck it down. Setting out on your own doesn’t have to be as daunting! With the right idea and resources, your career potential is unlimited. Yet, it does take a while for a business to reach a stage where you start making a profit. Remember to be patient and put in consistent hard work.
There are many excellent businesses that you can start with a small investment. These could range from side gigs like content writing and designing to setting up a home-service establishment. A business venture that is becoming increasingly popular and profitable is painting. The startup costs are low, and there are no mandated educational qualifications needed.
Moreover, several service providers can help you start your business with minimal effort. Hoist is one such platform. We help ambitious individuals to launch their painting businesses in just 30 days. When you partner with us, you can also access tools to help you successfully run your business.
Hoist reduces the risk and uncertainty of owning a business by providing a clear path to success. With the opportunity to receive continuous guidance from experts, you won’t have to go it alone. Learn more about the Hoist process and determine if it’s the right fit for you.
Career advancement is possible if you’re willing to learn new skills, network with professionals, and work toward your goals. But it doesn’t just mean getting promoted or getting hired at another company. Starting a new business can be one of the most exciting ways to advance your career. The main goal is to push past your slump and prepare for the next step in your career. With these tips above, there is no stopping you from taking the professional world by storm!
