The rise of remote work and evolving labor market dynamics have opened up career prospects. So why do so many people feel trapped in their jobs? It’s important to know what to do to get ahead in your career and maximize your professional development.
One survey found that three-quarters of workers felt trapped in their current roles. Don’t let this happen to you. Take the steps necessary to make the most of every opportunity, jumping headlong into every new job and setting yourself up for long-term professional development.
Achieving these goals takes planning, patience, and execution. The steps you take today will position you for success tomorrow. With that in mind, here are tactics you can do to get ahead in your career:
Know Your Long-Term Goals
Careers build over time. You can make large leaps at times. But, generally speaking, progress is defined by accumulating incremental moves in a particular direction over the course of years.
However, this process only works if your professional development travels in the right direction. Aim for the wrong goal for a long period of time, and you end up far from where you want to be. As such, you must continually assess your career goals and set the right long-term objectives.
Make Research Part of Your Routine
You need to keep up with changing conditions to get the most out of your career. The job market ebbs and flows with the overall economy. Meanwhile, expectations in your industry can change quickly.
Because of this dynamic, you need to create an ongoing research schedule. Take time to review the current situation and ensure that you are well-positioned to make the most out of every opportunity.
Go Beyond Your Core Competencies
You need a deep skill base to get ahead. This means more than having the basic abilities that your profession demands. Rather, you need to complement these with other competencies, letting you bring as much value as possible to any position you receive.
In addition, building these capabilities makes you ready for career advancement. You’ve probably heard the expression, “dress for the career you want.” The same is true for skill sets. Nurture the abilities you need for the jobs you want to land.
Develop Your Soft Skills
Don’t ignore soft skills as you look for abilities to add to your toolbox. These competencies can help you in any job you receive. They include things like:
- Leadership
- Organization
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Tech Savviness
- Teamwork
- Time Management
Get Better at Networking
Most career opportunities come through personal and professional contacts. As such, it’s important to enhance your networking skills. This will let you find (and land) better jobs, pushing your career forward.
Here are a few steps you can take:
- Join industry groups
- Attend events, like trade shows and conferences
- Stay active on social media
- Routinely check in with people in your network
- Look for ways to help others
- Find mentors
- Mentor others
Stay Open to Opportunity
Career opportunities can appear at any time. You need to be ready to jump when a great chance comes your way. For that reason, stay open and flexible. That way, you can take advantage of sudden shifts and unexpected moments of luck.
Having a strong recruiting partner, like Elby Professional Services, can help in this strategy. You’ll have the support and guidance you need to make the most of your career.
Contact Elby today to make sure you are prepared for your next job.
