Moving from a normal run-of-the-mill job, which is often only ever intended as a temporary state of employment, and into an actual long-term career is an exhilarating feeling. For many people, it is this transition which marks one of the most significant moments in their life. We live in a society which often defines people by their careers and, as much as we all like to think ourselves immune from such things, we tend to judge one another by the work that we do.
Starting on a new career path is one thing, but in order to reap the maximum benefits, you will need to stay the course and earn your way through the various stages of progression. Some career paths (such as nursing) lend themselves well to fairly rapid career progression, while others require a much more determined and sustained effort.
Whether you are entering into a new career and hoping to advance through it as quickly as possible, or you are realizing that you are stagnating in your current role, then there are a number of things that you can do in order to give your career a shot in the arm. Here are some of the easiest and most effective ways of giving your career a boost and taking it to the next level.
Help Others Succeed
This is especially important if the career you work in is one with a heavy focus on teamwork. It is far too easy to fall into the trap of becoming hyper-competitive with your co-workers, a situation which often results in a far less pleasant and relaxed working environment. You will certainly not be able to focus adequately on your own tasks and responsibilities if you are constantly looking over your shoulder and having to keep one eye on the other people that you work with.
Whatever the environment that you are working in, it will benefit you to work to make your boss look good. Your boss’s performance is likely to have a significant influence on how the company that you work for views your branch or location’s overall performance. Helping your boss out will also make them like you more, this in itself will make your working life much easier.
Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem
When crises inevitably strike, or things just aren’t running as smoothly as they should be, then you can either be proactive in helping to find a solution, or you can resign yourself to your situation and become more deadweight. You should always try and put yourself at the front of solving any challenges which arise in the workplace, bring new ideas to the table and help your colleagues to refine theirs.
Take a Course
The internet can put anyone in touch with the right course for their particular skillsets and desires. There is nothing that can’t be learned online these days, and many of the easiest skills to learn are also the ones that will make the biggest difference to your career. Not only can you use the internet to learn some highly marketable skills, such as coding, you can also take a course such as the General Assembly Career Development course, which is designed to use specific workshops on key job elements such as interviewing, to help you further your career.
Always Plan Ahead
If you are the kind of worker who just sits around waiting to be told what to do, then you will find it hard to justify your salary or position within the organization that you work for. The last thing that you want to be is expendable! Try and understand the strategic direction and goals of the business you work for and then start devising ways of getting there.
A truly astute worker will be mindful of not only what needs to be done right now in the present moment, but also how actions and decisions in the present will affect the future. Staying ahead of the curve will demonstrate the value that you bring to the business and will also mark you out as one of the more thoughtful and motivated employees on hand.
Build Trust
Trust is a valuable asset to have, it is the only way that you can hope to truly thrive in your chosen career. Advancing through the ranks will be nigh on impossible if you aren’t trusted. You should always aim to keep your word and to make sure that you are complying with any and all obligations; this includes delivering projects on time and within the specified budget. If you can build trust with those around you, you’ll go a long way.
Always Be Learning
This is one of the most important pieces of advice for life in general, but it applies doubly in the business environment. Mistakes happen, they are a part of life that is unavoidable. The measure of a person is not in how many mistakes they make, but in how they respond to them. When things go wrong, be upfront and honest about it. If you bring your superiors a problem and a solution, then they are much less likely to become concerned about it.
Make sure you keep these six tips at the front of your mind as you make decisions regarding your career.
