Personal development expert Gaby Marcon, director of Shine People and Places, gives you her top tips on how to progress at work
1. Assess your strengths and weaknesss
Assessing yourself and your assets allows you to avoid your career being shaped by accident. After all, we change over time. The interests and goals you had in your twenties and thirties may well have changed.
Take advantage of the numerous free self-assessments available online to review your skills and abilities and ascertain where the opportunities may lie.
2. Evaluate your career path on a regular basis
There is a big difference between going from one job to another and planning your career. Luck may sometimes play a role, but careful planning and the setting of short,medium and long-term goals are the key to personal and professional advancement.
Working hard is vital but may not be sufficient; the willingness to accept risks is the secret to maximizing your career potential.
3. Consider non-linear career moves
Getting promoted is only one way of developing your career. You may enrich your present position by moving sideways to another area or even downwards in order to acquire new skills. A temporary demotion may represent a stepping stone for something much more important.
Ask questions of people in jobs you want to see how they got there, and look for the right opportunity.
4. Invest in yourself
Improve your capabilities by keeping your professional knowledge up to date. You can go for:
- Formal learning (online and offline courses and qualifications)
- Professional learning (conferences, exhibitions, in-house training)
- Informal learning (reading journals and periodicals etc.)
All these will increase your job satisfaction and confidence in your abilities. Employers will also be more likely to recognize your talents.
5. Think long term
Ask yourself what you would like to do in five or ten years. This will give you an indication of the areas where you may need to improve or gain experience.
6. Keep abreast of developments in the sector
The industry is changing all the time, affected by new buying patterns, world economy, technologies etc. Ignore these factors at your peril; embrace the changes and find yourself in a better position for the future.
7. Manage your contacts
Networking will help develop your career, so make sure you stay up-to-date with your contacts. You never know who will have what you are looking for. Share industry information and ask people in your network about others who can help you get the knowledge you need.
8. Develop a mentoring relationship
You can benefit from the experience, wisdom and knowledge of people who have been in similar situations. Some experienced professionals are willing to help others by sharing this with more junior members of staff.
One in five chief executives claims that having had a mentor was critical to their success. Look for one either within your organization or outside of it.
9. Keep your CV up-to-date
Your CV is a summary of your professional development. Reformat it to emphasize special skills and experience, and tailor it to fit each position you apply for – different jobs will require different parts of your past career to be highlighted.
- If you want to get noticed, nominate yourself or a colleague for a Shine Award. You can nominate online until October 31.
vhk7itjyi