3 Tips to Accelerate Your Professional Progress

The year is coming to an end. At this time of the year, many people take stock of their personal and professional life. What were your most successful moves and what mistakes can you learn from? In addition to looking back on the most important moments of your year, take this time to reflect on your goals for the one ahead. Planning your career is the first step in reaching your goals. The following three strategies will help you reflect about your professional progress and accelerate your professional porgress.

Map your goals and be strategic

Setting goals and writing them down will allow you to clarify the steps you need to take to reach them. You can start by thinking about the company you’d like to work for and the position you see yourself in in 3, 6, or 12 months. Next, determine the smaller objectives you need to reach in relation to each ambition. For example, if you want to become the manager of your department before the end of the year, you’ll certainly need to strengthen your interpersonal skills and improve your relationship with your superiors.

Remember to set clear deadlines for each task so that you don’t neglect any of them. Another good trick is to prioritize your goals. You will have moments that are busier than others. In these times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of your responsibilities. If this happens, just focusing on actions related to your # 1 priority will help you avoid burnout while actively working on building your career.

Be proactive

One third of employees consider that their supervisor doesn’t provide them with any career development support. In this type of situation, it’s up to you to take the reins of your own career. The first thing to do is to check if your company offers development programs or if it offers paid training hours. This type of benefit is often offered by companies, but employees don’t use them because they aren’t even aware of them. Don’t hesitate to ask your colleagues and supervisors about the measures they use to advance their careers. In addition to receiving expert advice, you’ll show them that you’re motivated and interested in taking it to the next level.

Another tip is finding a mentor who can support you in your professional development. According to a study conducted by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the three main benefits of a mentoring relationship are faster professional advancement, a better understanding of organizational culture, and discovery of new professional perspectives. If you’d like to learn more about mentoring and the best way to find a mentor, you can read our article on this topic.

Develop your brand

You can have the best product out there, but if no one knows what you’re selling, your chances of being successful in business are limited. The same goes for your career. You may have the skills and abilities that make you the perfect fit for a job or promotion, but if no one knows about them, your chances at making progress are slim. To make sure you reach the success you deserve, manage your professional life like you would manage a brand. Define what sets you apart from your competitors, determine the needs of the job market and highlight the qualities you have that match the position you’re aiming for.

Boost your digital identity by taking the time to complete your LinkedIn profile, making sure it’s attractive and comprehensive. Think back to all the victories you’ve had in your professional life and present them in a way that shows how your skills and abilities have allowed you to achieve excellent results. That way, you’ll have concrete data to refer to when you ask for a raise, a promotion, or show up for an interview.

In the same way, think about past mistakes or shortcomings. Find the reason why you couldn’t perform as expected in some situations and think about the lessons you learned. If you’re asked questions about this, you’ll be prepared to answer them clearly and honestly.

Gone are the days of employees spending their entire lives with the same company and seeing their loyalty rewarded with a promotion. Today, companies value ambitious professionals who invest in their potential and change careers or companies in order to find new growth opportunities. You’re the master of your career. Have the courage to pursue your ambitions, develop your skills strategically, and assert your interests.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonwingard/2019/01/09/self-career-development-three-strategies-to-accelerate-your-career/#33d853f93de1

https://www.randstadusa.com/workforce360/employer-branding/what-drives-employee-engagement/276/

https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/career-development/

https://www.atlassian.com/blog/teamwork/career-development-planning-for-the-intellectually-curious

• Career Management