For most of us, it’s easy to become complacent. We may be aiming to get a job or complete a degree and once we’ve accomplished that goal, we get comfortable. There’s nothing wrong with comfort in your current position. However, as a precaution or simply if you want to level up, it’s important to continually seek out opportunities for professional growth.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses
This question often comes in interviews, “what are your strengths and weaknesses”.
Don’t wait until you’re job hunting to perform your evaluation.
Here are steps to help you in your evaluation process:
- Perform an honest evaluation of yourself by forming a list of your greatest skills, whether soft skills or technical skills.
- Solicit feedback from your peers, mentors and superiors on your performance.
- Identify possible areas of development and create a plan to close the gaps that you’ve identified.
- Identify your specific method of development, whether it be through an educational institution, training or mentorship.
- Showcase Hidden Talent
This journey isn’t just about growing in your weak areas; your evaluation also allows you to decide which strengths you can build on. Many of us have hidden talents which we never get the opportunity to use. Find opportunities to level up on your talents and maximize them as much as possible. If you’ve never kept a record of your work before, start a portfolio. Even if opportunities are unavailable at work, seek them out elsewhere.
- Dust Off Your Resume
It may have been a minute since you’ve looked at your resume, but redesigning your resume is crucial for tracking your development. As you progress in your career, you may want to remove certain jobs or outdated qualifications. You will also want to add new skills, experiences and certificates. Editing your resume before you start job hunting better allows you to track your progress and ensures that you don’t forget anything which is beneficial to you when you actually need it.
- Network! Network! Network!
Many of us don’t see the value of networking, particularly when we’re not job hunting. However, networking is an essential aspect of our growth as a professional. Your network is your net worth. Strengthening your relationships with others not only gives you the scoop on new opportunities, it also boosts your reputation. For those who aim to start their own business, a strong network can be the key to successfully starting a new venture.
- Hire a Career Consultant
If you’re actively looking to move on or enter in to another industry, you may want to hire a consultant to provide you with some direction. In the same way that we hire real estate agents before we sell a home, you’ll want to hire someone to perform an evaluation on you if you’re making a big change. Career consultants can provide you with information on the industry you’re looking to enter, what steps you’ll need to take to get where you want to be and help you track your progress along the way.
By following these simple tips, you can make notable advancements not just professionally, but personally as well.
Jameela Hollingsworth, Owner of HR Boss, is a contributing writer to the CaribbeanJobs.com Blog.
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