Want to Advance Your Career This Year? Start By Doing These 5 Things!

At the start of the new year, many professionals focus on their careers. They’re looking for ways to grow and advance, ensuring they can achieve both their short- and long-term career goals.

In some cases, figuring out how to get started is surprisingly tricky. If you want to take your professional life to the next level, here are five things you can do to advance your career this year.

  1. Know Where You Want to Go

Before you do anything else, it’s important to have a well-defined career target in mind. Simply knowing that you want to advance your career isn’t enough, as the objective is too vague to be easily actionable. Instead, you want a well-defined target, allowing you to focus your efforts on meaningful options that lead to relevant growth.

In some cases, the simplest way to get started is to envision the position you’d like to reach. That way, you can use the job description for that job as a guide for your efforts.

  1. Make Excelling in Your Role a Priority

Even if you have your sights set on a new position, you need to make sure that you’re exceeding expectations in your current job consistently. When you go above and beyond at work, you typically have better access to career-advancing opportunities. Plus, you ensure that those you work with will be your champions if you need to use your current supervisor or colleagues as a reference.

  1. Speak with Your Manager

If you’re interested in moving up at your current company, talk about your career goals with your current manager. Schedule a meeting with them to talk about your professional future, allowing you to get input from someone who can potentially open doors and get you headed in your preferred direction.

Another benefit of this is your manager can tell you what you may need to do to qualify for the job you want. They’ll usually have insights about the required skills and experience, allowing you to find out what you’ll need to do or learn before you can move forward.

  1. Volunteer for New Projects

If you need to expand your skillset or increase your visibility at work, volunteering for cross-departmental high-profile projects can be a great option. You’ll be able to take part in exciting work while acquiring new capabilities and meeting new people, all of which can work in your favor. Plus, you’ll look enthusiastic about your field and the company’s efforts, allowing you to showcase your passion.

  1. Acquire a New Skill

Expanding your skill set is always a wise move if you want to advance your career. However, you want to make sure you pick the best ones for your situation.

Usually, there are two approaches that are incredibly effective. First, you can identify a skill gap in your current team and work to fill it. Second, you can choose a capability that aligns with an emerging trend, allowing you to add a skill to your repertoire as it becomes relevant in your field.

Ultimately, all of the tips above can help you advance your career. If you’d like to learn more or are ready for a career-advancing new job, the staff at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

 

 

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