The past pandemic year gave us all an insight into how easily a career can disappear, even if it takes a lot to achieve it. Millions of people’s careers were put in jeopardy as businesses around them were forced to close their doors. But there are also people whose careers grew in the midst of it all.
As we enter a new year, it’s a good thing to consider how we can protect our professional careers from events such as the coronavirus and anything that will come after. It could be learning new skills to make yourself more adaptable or improving your current skill set to stay up to date with current demand.
Here are ways you can follow to help your career reach new heights:
1. Take the initiative to improve.
Maintaining a career shouldn’t just be all about doing what you’re supposed to do on paper. If you get used to doing the same thing for a long time, your career will be subject to disruption when the unexpected comes.
Take a look at how the pandemic affected people’s careers in the past months it’s been around. You’ll notice that many people had it easy. That’s because they used their current responsibilities as ways to learn how to do other tasks. They knew they couldn’t be stuck doing the same thing forever, and they did something about it.
Improvement isn’t only about making what you have better, but it’s also about adding new things to be better in other useful things. Do what you have to do, but never forget that you should be ready for anything that comes.
For example, you’re a professional trainer, and you want to expand your skills, consider taking courses on nutrition and dietetics.
2. Assert yourself.
Professionals who are reserved with their career decisions and how they speak while in a professional scene and their colleagues have higher chances of getting stuck in the same array of tasks compared to assertive ones.
If you’re normally timid while practicing your profession, it will help to learn how to speak and interact with others in your field with more confidence. It doesn’t only make people feel like you’re confident in your skills, but it also boosts your own outlook when it comes to your skills.
Keep in mind that being assertive doesn’t mean you should talk to other people as if you’re above them. While practicing assertiveness, learn how to level with the people you interact with to prevent problems.
3. Grow your network.
If you work in an office setting, your professional network doesn’t have to be confined within. You’re completely free to pursue and build relationships with other professionals to provide you with access to good clientele.
A big network can also open a path for your career improvement. You’ll be meeting seasoned professionals in your field who you can take advice from.
Keeping your network within your office’s limits restricts you from viewing your own field from other professionals’ perspectives. This equates to less outlook on the ins and outs of the industry you’re in.
4. Set goals.
In working to improve anything, be it your career, personal relationships, or studies, setting goals is key. Having a list of things you want to achieve gives you a clearer view of how you will reach them.
There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, but make sure the goals you set are realistic. Having a good grip on what you’re capable of can help you set goals that you know are achievable to you.
You can start small by setting goals you know are easy for you to hit. As you progress, set higher goals to increase your capacity gradually. It can be about the skills you want to learn, the experience you want to gain, or the clients you want to work with.
Good knowledge to carry as you set your goals is that improvements take time. There’s nothing wrong with treading carefully.
5. Talk to a career counselor.
A career counselor is trained to assist you in understanding the factors that you consider as a professional. They can help you with things you feel hold you back from reaching higher to finding out and capitalizing on factors that motivate you.
Finding a good career counselor is easy—especially if you have a network of professionals who use their services. You can easily ask for recommendations on whom you should talk to regarding the growth—or lack thereof—of your career.