When furthering your career, it can be tough to know where to start. Whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or just graduating from university, taking that first step to change can be incredibly scary.
Whilst I know not everyone will have an easy route to furthering their career, I wanted to help make your path a little bit easier by sharing ten ways to progress professionally and why you should consider doing it.
Why Should You Further Your Career?
If you’re unsure whether or not you want to put the time and effort into furthering your career, here are a couple of reasons you should consider it:
Job Satisfaction
If you’re currently in a job that isn’t giving you job satisfaction because it’s not challenging enough, moving on and stepping up the career ladder is a great way to give yourself the challenge you need. It may take a couple of months to settle into your new job, but you’ll soon find it makes you much happier than you were before.
Payrise
One of the most important reasons for furthering your career is that 99% of the time, it will come with a nice pay rise. If you’re unhappy with your wage, considering your options for progressing professionally will help.
More Freedom
Although it may seem like you have to work harder to progress, often that’s not the case; if you’re already in a high position, making it even higher may mean you have a chance to choose your hours and flexibility. This is great for parents who want to spend more time with their kids as they can easily choose a work schedule that suits their home life.
It’s hard work, but the results speak for themselves.
Way to Further Your Career
There are so many different ways in which you can help to further your career, including:
If you like the company you work for and think you’d be happy moving up the career ladder there, why not consider doing extra work in your current role?
Showing your management team that you’re committed and dedicated to the company by taking on a couple of extra tasks will help them see that you’re perfect for promotion should one arise. Often, business is all about putting in what you want to get back, so bear that in mind if you want to progress.
If this is a route you will take, you must be careful not to offer up too much for free. If you find taking on extra tasks changes your job role, you may want to discuss asking for a promotion. This brings me nicely to the next point…
Although this isn’t for everyone, asking for a promotion is one of the most successful ways to progress your career.
If you’ve been working in your current role for a long time, taking the time to talk to your manager about your future at the company is never a bad thing. It shows determination, tenacity, confidence and, most importantly – dedication. Whilst it may not result in promotion immediately, it’s the perfect way to let your managers know what you’re looking for.
If you want to progress in your career but don’t think you have the skills needed, an online course is a great way to get the training you need. With online psychology degrees, you can study at your own pace and in the comfort of your home. This option is great for those who want to continue working while furthering their education. Although it is often an expensive route, taking the initiative to go out and get the qualifications you need shows how much your career means to you – something both new and existing employers will look for in a person. Although it is often an expensive route, taking the initiative to go out and get the qualifications you need shows how much your career means to you – something both new and existing employers will look for in a person.
The best way to find out which online course is most suited to your role is to research all available courses and determine what roles people have taken once they’ve passed. This information is usually readily available on the course site, but it may be worth contacting them if they don’t have it. For more information on online courses, visit this handy guide here.
If you think the next step in your career is to go it alone and start your own business, why not get started as soon as you possibly can? While starting your own business isn’t an easy decision, for some, it’s the ultimate way to progress your career. If you do start your own business, make sure to consider insurance. Insurance for self-employed workers is extremely beneficial if, for whatever reason, you can’t make ends meet and need various insurance policies to fall back on.
If you don’t think you can leave your job immediately, try starting your business on the side instead. This is a great way to test the waters and see whether your business idea can make you more money than you would make if you were to stay in your current position. It’s a scary thought but definitely an exciting prospect when you think about it.
If you want to progress into a career requiring a certain degree or level of training, why not consider returning to University or doing a Postgraduate course? Starting University as a mature student isn’t for everybody, so you’ll often find that the same course you want to take is available online. For more information on studying for a degree online, click here for the website.
You know the saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ – well, it’s true. Attending networking events is a great way to meet new people who can help you progress in your career.
The more people you know and have a relationship with, the more likely you will be recommended for a job. My best advice is to attend as many networking events in your niche as possible; you never know where it may lead.
As simple as it may sound, applying for a new job is a great way to further your career. Try aiming for positions that are above the one you’re currently in, ensuring that no matter which job you go for, it’s always going to be a step up. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of the necessary experience yet; as long as you get it across in your application, you’re willing to learn and go the extra mile, you’ll have a good chance of getting a face-to-face interview.
LinkedIn is a great social media platform for those who want to expand their professional network but don’t have the opportunity to attend networking events.
For those who have never used LinkedIn, it’s a social media platform that allows you to create a profile based on your current and previous experience. The profile is your online CV shown to people as you connect with them through the platform. You can post updates, search for jobs and network with people over private messages.
Whilst it’s not a great platform for everyone, many people have been headhunted through the network, so it’s worth signing up and engaging with influential people in your industry. For a guide on how to get started on LinkedIn and the benefits of using it for business, you can visit this handy site here.
Starting a side hustle is a great way to gain business experience alongside your job. You can do lots of different things, including joining a multi-level marketing scheme (like Avon or Forever Living), starting your own business, creating products or offering your services to people online on a freelance basis. Whatever you decide, you can guarantee you’ll learn skills to help you progress in your career.
An attribute recruiters often look for when hiring for a high-profile or well-sought-after position is dedication. Whilst you may be a very dedicated person often, it’s hard to show that in an interview. However, having volunteer work on your CV is a great way to demonstrate how much of a hard worker you are and that you’ve been dedicated to a good cause for several years.
If you’re interested in getting started in volunteer work but don’t know where to start, try searching for the positions you can take and find out which one suits your skills best. If you’re lucky, you may find a suitable position that will help you with new and valuable skills you can take into your new career.
Are you thinking of furthering your career? Did we miss anything? Let me know your plans and top tips in the comment section below!