No matter what industry you’re in, or what point you’re at in your career, you likely want to give it a boost.
In an entry-level service position, a career boost might meet being promoted to a shift leader or manager. If you were in trucking, it might mean becoming an owner-operator. If you’re in sales, perhaps you become a regional manager.
Whatever a career boost might look like to you, the following are some steps and tips to keep in mind.
Have a Plan
When you start your career, you should outline what you hope to achieve in the short, medium, and long-terms. Know where you want to be and that will help you drive the momentum you need to get there.
A formalized timeline of objectives is a helpful tool to have, and then you can work to find opportunities that fit within that timeline.
Writing down plans and goals means you’re more likely to achieve them, so don’t just visualize.
Put it on paper and then measure your progress along the way and adjust goals as necessary.
Identify Opportunities
Sometimes when our careers feel stagnant, it could be because we aren’t actively seeking out opportunities. We often think about opportunities as just coming to us passively, and that’s not the reality.
You should always be thinking about what you want your next move to be and searching for opportunities in line with your objectives.
For example, maybe you look at lateral moves that could be available and would allow you to boost your experience, even if you can’t necessarily move up at the moment.
If there aren’t formal mentorship opportunities in your current company, ask if it’s an option for you to do job shadowing or work with a mentor.
Ask your employer if there are any training and development opportunities that you could participate in.
Don’t be afraid to look for opportunities and ask for them when you find them.
Absorb Information
The more information you can absorb as it relates to your career and your industry, the better.
Podcasts are a good way to do this, and they’re easy to fit into your day.
You can also read business books or books relevant to your particular position or industry.
TED Talks and webinars can also be easy-to-digest sources of information that will not just provide you with knowledge but also inspiration.
Take on Something Challenging
When it comes to work, it’s easy to find yourself on autopilot. You may be doing the bare minimum without even realizing it.
Step outside of your comfort zone, if possible.
For example, if your employer asks for volunteers to take on a difficult project, be the person to step forward.
Taking on challenges at work can be a bit anxiety-producing, but the payoff can be worth it.
When you take on a challenging task or project, it shows that you’re willing to take the initiative and it can help you boost your skillset.
It can also show your boss that you’re ready for more.
Develop Strong Communication Skills
You want to be a strong, confident communicator.
Strong communication skills can you far in any industry, and they’re one of the most important things you can work on developing.
You want to be direct and confident and make sure you clearly convey your point.
If you aren’t sure how your communication skills are currently, take a look through your sent emails and see how those might come off to coworkers.
Stop Being Distracted by Coworkers
Sometimes we can hurt our own chances of building our career when we worry too much about the unimportant things going on around us.
Don’t let yourself get dragged into workplace gossip or drama and stop worrying about what your coworkers are doing or not doing.
Just focus on what you’re doing and what you want to achieve.
You’ll likely feel a greater sense of peace and you’re more likely to get ahead by not worrying about others so much.
Finally, take a class.
There are so many ways you can take a class, whether online, at your local community college or perhaps your employer offers classes.
When you take classes, you’re not just building skills. You’re also feeling the benefits of learning something new and that can translate into a renewed sense of enthusiasm in other areas of your life including your work.
Don’t wait for the opportunity to present itself, just go for it now.
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