There comes a time in everyone’s career when they think they could do with a change, and decide to enhance their career in some way.
More often than not, this would be a change of career, rather than trying to move up in the company they already work in.
When climbing the corporate ladder, and by changing career, an individual might make the transition to a profession which is related to their current one, but with greater responsibilities and educational requirements.
What to Know About Career Advancement
When you start to look at other careers, you will be asking yourself plenty of questions along the way. One particular question that is always raised is, “What job is for me?”.
If you are the type of person who likes a good challenge, and you are in, or you look at positions which have little growth opportunities, they will very quickly lose their appeal and become dull.
Changing careers isn’t a walk in the park. They take time, lots of energy and thought, and can cost money.
This can be a number one factor why so many people are stuck in a job they find dissatisfying. Knowing this beforehand is much better than finding out when it’s too late.
It is also the reason why it is crucial to study any job description, rather than just skimming through.
Even before applying for any jobs, you need to start your preparation. Here are a few things you can start now to help you make that move when you find the right career path.
Helpful Habits
There are lots of places which offer advice on the best ways to wow your new prospective boss and how to ace your interviews.
Many of the tips are common sense, but if you don’t do them, you will never be on the path toward a career you really want.
These habits will help you be in the frame of mind to not only prepare yourself for the rigors of sending resumes and attending interviews.
If you start doing them now, you can alleviate most of the job hunting stress when you reach the point of applying.
Pursuing Your Career Mission with Vigour
Philosophically this habit leads you to discover unique roles that are best suited to matching your skills and talents, interests and values. On a more realistic level, a career mission will be represented by your job description.
When you understand your work, and what it takes to do a good job, there is a combination of technical competence and knowing what is expected from you.
Doing the job right the first time, comes to mind, but there is also, do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life (one of my favourite quotes!)
Being Competent Alone, Won’t Get You What You Want
Competence alone won’t help you succeed. Both in your current employment, or when applying for another position, you need to make sure your good work is recognised.
In current employment, you’d expect being rewarded, however, when job hunting, you’d expect this work to help gain a higher position.
Managers won’t offer rewards, and in most cases, things need to be asked for. This is the case when applying for a job, and why highlighting your skills and accomplishments are crucial.
You Need to Take Risks
If you look at “advancing my career,” and take it upon yourself to do something about it, then you are already making a commitment to yourself, and taking that risk.
However, a lot of people decide to change jobs, but they never get around to do it, even though they may mention it time and time again.
You tend to notice the most vocal of people who say they are not happy and going to change career, are the ones that actually don’t.
Taking the risk and applying for another job, or asking for more money and responsibilities in your current position will stop you being all talk, and one who will take action also.
Trusting Your Gut
If you are looking for other employment, then you have already trusted your gut instinct that not all is well in the camp. You might see there is no advancement where you are and do decide to look elsewhere.
This instinct should also be followed if you land a job that doesn’t feel right for you. “The grass is greener,” is true, and it never is.
The last thing any job hunter should do is to take a job over their current employment just for the sake of changing.
If you aren’t committed to the new position, and it doesn’t feel 100%, then give it a miss, and don’t move on (just yet!).
Networking
Networking can help you in any work situation. How many times has a promotion or career enhancement occurred through a person having a nod of approval from someone higher up.
This isn’t to say you want to bypass the standard steps in enhancing your career, it just means you can gain a lot for knowing and communicating with lots of different individuals.
Even if you change careers, someone along the line might be able to help, especially if it is information about the company, that you can use in your interview. Businesses are built on networking, so if it works for them, it is good enough for you.
Job security and job appreciation comes and goes, but a reliable network of contacts can be invaluable for the rest of your life.
Preparation
All the way through, you should be preparing for your next step. This can be in extracurricular training, or anything related to finding a new career or enhancing the one you already have.
One thing to do early on is to be writing a good resume. If this is up to date and customised for different careers, you can save yourself lots of time, and you will be able to respond quickly to posted jobs.
There is no reason to wait – if you have the feeling and urge to move on, then grab the bull by the horns and start enhancing your career today.