Our recent poll discovered career development as the most critical factor when choosing a company. Although it’s crucial to look for a company that supports your growth with numerous opportunities, there are also ways you can maximise your career potential yourself.
We’ve put together a brief guide to follow and ensure you get the most from your career and company.
1) Know your purpose
Your purpose is the driving force behind every decision you’ll ever make, and it starts with understanding yourself. To discover your purpose, take the time to consider your role, desires, beliefs, and values. Try to align these with your company’s purpose for the best chance of success.
A clear purpose is the catalyst for driving transformation and enables yourself and your organization to stay focused on the bigger picture and overcome everyday challenges.
2) Set achievable goals
Set yourself clear and realistic goals to boost your motivation and allow you to track your progression. Some goals to improve your career development include:
- Mastering a new skill.
- Acquiring qualifications.
- Expertise in your chosen field.
- Experience.
Once your goals have been set, you have something to work towards, a driving force. Try to break your goals into a step-by-step action plan, allowing you to keep track of your progression and review this regularly.
3) Find a mentor
Developing a relationship with a mentor will enable you to increase your knowledge, expand your network, and grow as a professional. Mentors can provide guidance and advice and help you to brush up on any areas you may find challenging. This allows you to put forward your questions to someone with the right skills and resources to help you learn and develop.
4) Discuss your aspirations with your company
Be clear with your career goals and ambitions to your company to allow them to present you with new challenges and opportunities that enable you to expand your skills and experience. An example is being placed on extra training courses that provide you with connections that would aid you with reaching your career aspirations. This will benefit you and your business, as it will increase your value at their company.
5) Search for new opportunities
While your company can help you foster your career development and professional growth, it’s also up to you to seek opportunities to better yourself. There are numerous ways you can expand your knowledge and skillset, including:
- Attending webinars
- Reading
- Joining forums and groups
- Attending workshops
- Downloading guides
Being proactive in your professional development will make you much more likely to reach your career aspirations.
