Whether you are actively pursuing your next move up the career ladder with your current employer or navigating towards a new role that better aligns with your values and skill set, there are a range of steps you can take right now to fine-tune your professional toolkit. Here are 6 powerful ideas you can implement in your own time, from the comfort of your couch, to build your skills and connections so you can elegantly put your best foot forward as new career opportunities arise.
Refine Your Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
Good analytical and problem solving capabilities are some of the most highly valued skills you can continuously develop and highlight to future employers. Whether you are engaging with colleagues or clients, the ability to listen actively, review and interpret information, think critically and bring a solutions focused approach to work will be an asset for any career.
The best way to expand these skills is to keep your mind flexible and active. Some options include reading widely, playing games and puzzles, and engage with data regularly and creatively to bring a fresh perspective to your work. There are also excellent short online courses that can help expand your skills: from understanding your existing assumptions, beliefs and values in decision making, taking your ability to apply logic and reason to the next level, through to more confidently engaging with business analytics and data.
“The big lesson in life, baby, is to never be scared of anyone or anything.” FRANK SINATRA
Leverage Your Personal and Professional Connections
Sure, networking is not everyone’s cup of tea – but acquiring a diverse range of contacts both within and outside your industry is highly beneficial: as the saying goes, often it’s not what you know but who you know. The most effective way to build connections you can leverage for your career growth is to engage in conversations wherever you go. Grow your network in an authentic way by showing genuine interest in what others have to say and demonstrating that you are passionate about what you do.
Remember that creating a strong network is not a one-way street. With every interaction, it is helpful to think about what you can offer or how you can give back: could you connect the small business owner you are talking to with your graphic-designer friend or share information about a government grant that might be relevant to them? Bringing an abundance mindset to every interaction will allow you to build an effective network of contacts that can positively impact your career trajectory.
Finally, as you are expanding your connections, it is important to stay in touch. Reach out to contacts regularly to maintain the relationship, whether that means catching up for a coffee, sharing an interesting piece of industry news by email or calling to congratulate them on their promotion or professional successes.
