Advancing your professional career isn’t always an easy or linear path. Some professionals take years before they can get a title change and pay raise while others get tired of having to compete that they change jobs frequently thus their careers do not amount to anything. Don’t let your career get stuck in a plateau. Here are five ways that can help improve your job status, regardless of your place of employment or industry.
Proactive Networking
Over the years, networking has become a science. Because of increasingly competitive and saturated job markets, networking is becoming a core part of one’s professional life. Even those who are currently employed feel the need to network in their spare time. Proactively network by attending seminars and webinars, going to formal or casual company parties, making your own blog or channel and interacting with viewers, and so forth. When networking, avoid the mindset that you are only interacting with people for a self-serving purpose, which is to advance your career. Instead, try to be genuinely interested about what they have to say so you can absorb the information for later use.
Creative Writing
Incorporating some writing time on your daily schedule can improve your cognition and, in the long term, give you a higher chance of advancing in your career ladder. Blogging or writing on a notebook or journal lets you expand or find ideas that you can use to contribute to your work. At the very least, creative writing can help you better remember important work-related information, such as upcoming deadlines or client meetings. Adding to your blog site on a regular basis also helps in establishing a brand for you. Talk about what you’re passionate about and do video or written tutorials of concepts encompassing your field of work. For instance, if you’re a web developer, you can blog about how to build your own Javascript-based games or how to use specific frameworks to integrate locations and maps on another website.
Higher Education
An undergraduate degree is no longer the benchmark for getting jobs and advancing in your respective career ladder. Nowadays, it takes specializations and field experience to actually jump up or apply for more prestigious job positions. Lack of time is usually what prevents the working-class from pursuing higher education. Luckily, it’s become easier to get certified for different skill sets, thanks to technology. Online degree programs are now accessible for people looking to get certified in skills, such as software engineering, accountancy, teaching, and so on. Many of these online courses are free to take, but most of the courses that certify at the end of the coursework costs tuition. In the long haul, however, this small investment can result in a wider skill set and more job opportunities.
Resume Updating
Update your CV or resume even though you’re currently employed. Add new skills, certifications, and any seminars you’ve recently attended. Update both your actual resume and your uploaded resume online. This will give employers the chance to look at both your previous work history and current skill set. As industry landscapes change and move forward over time, your resume must be able to reflect this continuously changing environment.
Goal Setting
Don’t forget to set short-term and long-term goals even when you’re working. This motivates you to keep moving forward and prevents you from being complacent at work. When setting goals, be specific and make sure that the goal serves the purpose of improving your job title and salary.
Improving your job status shouldn’t just be solely fueled by need for more money. It should also align with your life interests and passion. Use the five tips above to get a good salary boost while also positioning yourself in a job position that you actually enjoy.