12 Steps to a Better Career in Just One Year
According to a recent report by Jobbatical, talent shortage is one of the main obstacles hiring managers and recruiters are dealing with in today’s job market. 72.8% of employers that were surveyed said they are having a difficult time finding skilled candidates and 45% of them said they are concerned about finding employees with the talents required for the job.
At Next Level Career Services, we spend a lot of time focusing on crafting the perfect resume and performing well during the interview process, but we thought it would be a good idea to take a step back.
The truth is, if you want to level up your career and make more money, you’re going to want to focus on building your skills. It doesn’t have to be formal (we’re not telling you that you need to earn another degree) but we are recommending that you make a commitment to doing one thing each month to grow your skills and knowledge in your industry.
Dedicate yourself to career growth over the next 12 months and see what happens! Here are some ideas for you to consider:
January - Read Books
Why is it that so many of us stop reading books after college? There are so many great options out there. In fact, here’s a list of books specifically recommended by career coaches! Pick up a few of these from your local library and see if they spark any ideas in you or motivate you to make positive changes in your life.
February - Find a Mentor
We don’t know what we don’t know. Find a mentor who understands your career goals. He or she can be a huge asset since they can identify potential areas of growth and act as an accountability partner for you. They can keep you on track and motivate you to stay focused. They may even be able to help you make valuable connections in your community!
March - Consider a Stretch Assignment
A stretch assignment is a task that is meant to push you outside of your role and current routine. You might volunteer to manage a team of interns or lead a company event. Offering to take on something like this shows that you are willing to take on new challenges to benefit the company (and yourself).
April - Consume Industry News
Staying current on news that’s relevant to your industry shows your managers that you’re invested in your work and that you really do find it interesting. It also allows you to think more strategically. When you know what problems need to be solved, you can come up with ways for your company to solve them, positioning them (and yourself) for greater success.
May - Build Your Personal Brand
Do you have a blog or website where you write about topics related to your industry? Or do you just show up every day, do the work, and leave? Showing that you’re committed through outside work that you do “just for fun” will not only help you in your current role, but it is also an incredible resource to share if you ever decide to interview for a new job in the future.
June - Optimize Your Lunch Breaks
What do you typically do on your lunch breaks? If you’re not using this time to advance your career, consider making a change this year. Watch a 30-minute YouTube video or read a few chapters of a book instead of scrolling through social media apps on your phone. Even though this time is technically “yours”, it is a great opportunity to invest in your future self.
July - Lead a Training
Does your company provide training classes for employees? If so, offer to lead one! It might be intimidating, especially if you’re not used to speaking in front of people, but this is a HUGE way to show initiative. Not only does it help leadership see you as a valuable asset to the company, it positions you as a knowledgeable resource for your co-workers as well.
August - Take a Class
College students are about to head back to class, so now is a good time to think about whether taking a relevant class would help your career, too. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs, so talk to your HR department and see what is available. This is a great way to not only invest in yourself, but it also shows your employer that you’re willing to go the extra mile.
September - Attend Networking Events
Chances are, your city has “Lunch and Learn” programs put on by the Chamber of Commerce or other professional groups. Turn to Google to find some upcoming events, then make a commitment to attend at least one of them each month. Often, these events are short enough that you can attend them over your lunch break without causing a disruption to your day.
October - Start Delegating
Help your leaders see you as a leader. If you’re still performing tasks that you have clearly outgrown, speak with your supervisor about delegating them to another team member. If you think it makes sense to do so, ask about hiring an intern. This is a great way to show that you intend to grow in your role and that you want to take on some leadership duties!
November - Hire a Career Coach
If you lack direction in your ideal career path, a career coach can be a great asset to you. A career coach can help you define your goals and create an actionable plan for your professional advancement. If you have big goals and are sick of putting them on the back-burner, a career coach can help you get serious about climbing that ladder to success.
December - Take a Masterclass
Have you heard of Masterclass? It’s an online learning platform where you can take virtual classes from some of the world’s most talented and well-known people. For example, you can take a Business Strategy and Leadership class taught by Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company!
Phew! This might seem like a long list, but we promise that if you tackle just one thing each month, you won’t feel overwhelmed. And, after one year, you’ll be ready to walk into your annual review with a long list of skills you’ve added.
So, what do you say? Are you going to bookmark this blog and follow this road map to a better career? We hope you do, and if so, please send us a message and let us know how it’s going!