We are often ‘waiting' for somebody (HR, our line managers, etc.) to actively invest time in our career development. Whilst in some organisations and with some individuals this might be the case, in the new economy it more often falls on you yourself to take proactive steps to develop your career progression. This is not always easy as the education system we are used to has taken care of us and pampered us into not learning how to guide ourselves - so what to do? how to do it? where am I even going?
1. Keep your dreams and passions alive A lot of us tend to lose our dreams and passions as we get older. We put them aside as childhood nonsense or naïve youth dreams. They are not. They are representations of your fundamental loves - don't cast them aside - enjoy them - live with them!
2. Know your skills and talents If you don't know them, who does? Be constantly aware of your skills and talents in various areas - and actively develop skills you might not have but you think you might enjoy!
3. Be self-aware - know your strengths and your weaknesses - and be on the lookout to constantly develop yourself All of us have room for improvement, and I mean that, all of us. Where could you use some support? What do you get feedback on or where do people behave weirdly towards you?
4. Keep talking to people to find out what different people do - keep your own options open We have amazing resources right around us. We often assume that everybody has the same kind of hassles and turmoils - or that they feel the same way about their jobs as we do - or that the way you do your job is the same way your mate with the same job does his.
test your assumptions - really find out about people and what they do and how they do it - keep your options - and your mind - open!
5. Read books and magazines - a wide variety of them - you make your life choices possible It's like talking to your mates on number 4. What's possible? What have others done? How? What obstacles did they encounter? How did they overcome them? Biographies and good novels are the best sources of inspiration!
6. Attend different courses and workshops - educate and train yourself What are you interested in? Or what have you always wanted to try out? What skills might be useful for you in your life? Most things are transferable across all parts of our lives? What could you be learning?
7. Get yourself a personal coach Having a difficult time sorting stuff on your own? Get a coach!
8. Job shadow - to see how green the grass is on the other side An increasingly popular choice - find ways to see what it's like doing various jobs through shadowing friends or acquaintances, etc.
9. Volunteer - to get experience and variety Like shadowing, but with volunteering you actually get the chance to develop new skills as well!
10. Start Somewhere! Don't wait for tomorrow. Do you want to find yourself close to retirement wondering what you could have done?
We are often ‘waiting' for somebody (HR, our line managers, etc.)
to actively invest time in our career development. Whilst in some
organisations and with some individuals this might be the case, in the
new economy it more often falls on you yourself to take proactive steps
to develop your career progression. This is not always easy as the
education system we are used to has taken care of us and pampered us
into not learning how to guide ourselves - so what to do? how to do it?
where am I even going?
1. Keep your dreams and passions alive
A lot of us tend to lose our dreams and passions as we get older. We
put them aside as childhood nonsense or naive youth dreams. They are
not. They are representations of your fundamental loves - don't cast
them aside - enjoy them - live with them!
2. Know your skills and talents
If you don't know them, who does? Be constantly aware of your skills
and talents in various areas - and actively develop skills you might
not have but you think you might enjoy!
3. Be self-aware - know your strengths and your weaknesses - and be on the lookout to constantly develop yourself
All of us have room for improvement, and I mean that, all of us. Where
could you use some support? What do you get feedback on or where do
people behave weirdly towards you?
4. Keep talking to people to find out what different people do - keep your own options open
We have amazing resources right around us. We often assume that
everybody has the same kind of hassles and turmoils - or that they feel
the same way about their jobs as we do - or that the way you do your
job is the same way your mate with the same job does his.
test your assumptions - really find out about people and what they do
and how they do it - keep your options - and your mind - open!
5. Read books and magazines - a wide variety of them - you make your life choices possible
It's like talking to your mates on number 4. What's possible? What have
others done? How? What obstacles did they encounter? How did they
overcome them? Biographies and good novels are the best sources of
inspiration!
6. Attend different courses and workshops - educate and train yourself
What are you interested in? Or what have you always wanted to try out?
What skills might be useful for you in your life? Most things are
transferable across all parts of our lives? What could you be learning?
7. Get yourself a personal coach
Having a difficult time sorting stuff on your own? Get a coach!
8. Job shadow - to see how green the grass is on the other side
An increasingly popular choice - find ways to see what it's like doing
various jobs through shadowing friends or acquaintances, etc.
9. Volunteer - to get experience and variety
Like shadowing, but with volunteering you actually get the chance to develop new skills as well!
10. Start Somewhere! Don't wait for tomorrow.
Do you want to find yourself close to retirement wondering what you could have done?
