Getting a job is only the first step toward a rewarding career filled with growth and personal fulfillment. To reach your full potential, it’s important to have a plan for where you eventually want to go with your career.
Interviewers will frequently ask interviewees where they see themselves in five years. This is a good question to ask yourself periodically regardless of whether you anticipate interviewing in the near future.
Different career paths require different skills. Some of these might be technical in nature. Others will be soft skills that employers want their employees to have. Building both is a good idea if you’re looking to develop your career to its fullest.
Set Goals
Securing a high level of achievement in any endeavor requires setting goals. The first goal you’ll want to set is your ultimate goal. How far do you want to go with your career? It’s important to start with the end in sight. You’re not likely to reach an ambitious goal within a week or a year. It can sometimes take decades.
Whether you’re just starting out in your career or you’re stuck in a rut, you need to create milestones that will move you toward your goal. To achieve your ultimate goal, you’ll want to set up a timeline for hitting these intermediate milestones.
Measuring success is key because it’s impossible to get to your ultimate destination without a clear road map that details how you’ll get there. While on your journey, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the feedback that’s offered by the most recent 360 review. This lets you see where you can improve your performance in order to achieve your goals as quickly as possible.
Network
Networking is important for many of life’s endeavors, especially those in the workplace. If you’re looking for a job that can start you on the path toward your ultimate goal, it might be necessary to rely on personal contacts who work in your chosen industry.
Even once you have the perfect job, your need for networking is by no means over. You’ll want to talk to those in your organization to figure out which people, events and organizations you should build connections with.
Professional meetings are a great option for meeting people who are movers and shakers in your field. The people you meet can frequently help you advance your career. This might come from gaining you access to a hiring manager who can help you make an advantageous move.
People you meet can also give you tips and tell you what has helped them advance in their careers. Attending the same conferences annually can allow you to meet up with your existing network while building new connections at the same time.
Explore Company Programs
Networking at training conferences is not the only way to develop your career. Many employers offer staff development programs. Usually, these will include mentoring programs that engage newer employees and help them navigate their jobs.
Educational assistance programs that involve training in new skills can help you maintain an up-to-date skillset. It’s also a good idea to take advantage of any opportunities to earn additional certifications or degrees that can help you achieve your career goals.
Many employers will help their employees with some or all of the costs associated with these programs. You’re smart to take advantage of as many as possible.
Additionally, if your company allows you to train across departments, you’ll want to learn as much as you can. Most companies that are worth sticking with will see knowledgeable employees as an asset.
Choose an Enjoyable Career
Many people go through their working lives clocking in every day to a job they hate. Others show up at a job they tolerate just to earn a check. This is not the best way to advance up the corporate ladder.
To avoid this situation, you’ll want to choose a career that you actually enjoy. You may have to take a job or two that you don’t find enjoyable at first, but these can be stepping stones. Once you get into a position that you like, you’ll be more likely to maintain a high level of engagement.
The more engaged you are, the more productive you’ll be and the more likely your employer will be to advance you through the company.
Have a Professional Resume
Achieving your ultimate career goals will sometimes require moving on to another organization after a period of time. Whether you’re looking for your first job or you’re contemplating moving on to another company that better suits your skill set, you’ll want to have a resume available for prospective employers.
You want to tailor your resume to each potential employer. This will include a clear career objective statement and a strong record of what you can bring to a company that’s looking to fill a position.
It is advisable to work with a professional to spruce up your resume. This makes it more likely to draw the attention of hiring managers. Getting assistance from anyone in your network who can contact the HR department at your chosen company will also help in this regard.
Over to You
Successfully developing your career and achieving your goals can take time. It’s important to take the proper steps that will help you move up in your career. To start, you’ll want to choose a job that you’ll enjoy going to each day.
You should also update your resume regularly and network with the people who can help you achieve your goals. Taking advantage of training programs and educational opportunities can also help you move up the corporate ladder over time.
By utilizing all of the tools that are available to you, you should be able to achieve a high level of success when it comes to career development.
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