How to grow professionally? What are the exact steps to take your career to the next level? Do you already have a job and do you feel that you have settled in regarding your professional development and are you looking for a change?
If you already have a job, the normal thing is that you ask yourself: why should I go further to develop my skills, especially when my current company does not require it?
Going the extra mile can go a long way toward being successful. And if you stick with your current skill set, you may fall behind your peers, which could result in professional detriment to you, both in the short and long term, especially if you are looking to change positions.
If you ignore your career development, you will be out of the job market in about five years. In the working climate, you always have to look ahead to what will be required in your next potential position.
It's crucial to focus on those transferable skills that can be relevant across multiple industries and positions. So even if you can't use your skills now, you probably need them later.
Taking charge of your professional development is essential, as companies have stopped allocating funds to help employees grow beyond their basic tasks. Today, employees tend to have shorter stays with companies than they did years ago, so it is natural that companies do not see the value of training an employee that they could lose sooner rather than later. At the same time, employee retention professionals use this argument as the main reason a company needs to focus on the professional development of its workers: it helps retain and harvest their best talent.
The reality is clear: companies have few resources to facilitate professional development. You need to take control of your broken development, and find ways to make it happen!
Attend classes
You probably also think that since you already studied once, now you don't need to do it again.
Today, there are many universities that teach classes for adults, almost always compatible with working hours. An online coaching course is also an option if it is the distance modality that best suits you.
Find classes that are relevant to your work, or learn something that has nothing to do with what you do now.
In any case: you are growing! That is what it is all about.
Get a coach or mentor
Find a successful person who can give you the guidance and advice you need. It may be uncomfortable at first, but having someone with more experience can help you make the right decisions.
Learn a new skill
Many times a structure or a syllabus is unnecessary to learn something new.
Simply detect which skills are optimal for your line of work, and opt for it. For example, you can learn about websites, social networks, or take an online coaching training that is usually necessary in all areas. Find a project and learn all about it as you go.
Work voluntarily
By working voluntarily, you have the opportunity to master leadership skills that would not be possible otherwise. You have the opportunity to work in a real tenorio, which is the best way to gain new experiences.
Master a digital tool
Despite being hyperconnected to the Internet, there are still many people who do not take advantage of the online tools at 100%.
You can find countless free video tutorials that can help you learn how to use social media, search engine rankings, or email.
As simple as increasing your efficiency by searching for resources on the Internet to achieve it.
Contact professionals who already have a career like the one you aspire to
And ask them about their steps to get to where they are. With a little effort on social networks, you can easily discover who is in a certain position to communicate with her.
Typically, these people are willing to talk about their career path, and what worked for them and what didn't. This is one of the best ways to learn from your successes and mistakes.
Look for workers within your company that you have something to learn from
Approach them with questions. You will learn a lot by listening and observing. Almost without realizing it!
read
Review books, articles and blogs within your niche, but try not to limit yourself simply to your professional field.
Reading things outside of your industry and experience can help you connect what you learn to apply it to your business.
Attend conferences
Attending conferences will not only learn new skills, but they are also an excellent opportunity to find new contacts.
Don't ignore your "soft skills"
Most of us know what our weaknesses are. Make an effort to improve these skills and you will become more marketable.
Don't do it for your superiors, do it for yourself.