The best way to earn more money is to formulate a plan for advancing your career. There are a number of options available for people who want to advance, or even change careers. One is to make an appointment with a career coach who will guide you through the process of determining what path is best suited for you. To find a career coach, look in your telephone book’s yellow pages under “Career and Vocational Counseling.”
If you’re set on a do-it-yourself path, search the Internet for advice on career building.
According to job recruiters, here are the top five things you can do to advance your career:
1. Update skills.
This usually means undergoing computer software training, or at least basic computer training, to get more programs under your belt, making yourself more valuable to prospective employers. If you’ve been in your job for any length of time, chances are you haven’t brushed up on your skills since you were hired.
2. Learn new things.
If you’re changing careers and have little or no computer experience, you’ll need basic computer training with a heavy emphasis on computer software training, since most companies use specific software. Preparing yourself at the most fundamental level may not be enough these days. Find out what software programs are required for the position you seek and be sure to get a tutorial on each to make yourself job-ready. Without the proper computer software training prior to applying for the position, you may be faced with a challenge when interviewing and being asked about specific software applications the company uses. This is especially true in higher-level positions within a company that require more than just basic computer training. This will not only help you get the job you want, but also retain it in the long run.
3. Write a knockout resume.
With updated skills and new computer software training under your belt, it’s time to beef up the old resume. Be sure to list all the new software programs you’ve learned, along with any computer software training certificates you might have received. Most people still need help to learn Excel® inside and out for instance, and all the small things you can do to make a big impression. How many people actually learn PowerPoint® for instance, prior to a mid-level management position, where presentations will be required?
4. Research prospective employers.
This can also mean researching the company where you already work. One of the best web sites for this kind of research is www.vault.com. You need to know the bottom line for employers, i.e., is this company declining or growing? This kind of information can also tell you when it’s time to jump ship and move to another employer before the layoffs begin. Read company annual reports and see how the company’s stock has performed over the past 12 months. Do your homework, and you won’t be left out in the cold.
5. Build self-confidence.
You’re not going to advance your career if you are timid when it comes to talking about yourself. If you have difficulty conversing with new people, a career coach can help you overcome your stage fright. Also, joining a civic organization that does good works in the community will help you get into the swing of meeting new people and explaining who you are and what you can do.
Today’s employers are looking for job candidates with that “can-do” attitude. They’re also looking for people who are willing to “stretch.”
Stretching means using your previous experience and existing skills to move in a new direction. Stretching bridges the gap between what you’re used to doing and what you feel would be a better use of your time. Stretching can lead to a much more rewarding job and can put you in position to advance your career the old fashioned way – by doing. Review 1 and 2 above, updating your skills and learning some new things like basic computer training on your own, or specific computer software training, is often a very easy fix for this. It not only shows that you are willing to grow yourself, it also shows you are willing to change with the times. Besides, it is a great confidence booster.
Keep in mind that just because you want to advance your career doesn’t mean you have to change employers. Talk to your boss about your goals and ask if the company has any on-site skill-building programs to help employees advance from within. Don’t be afraid to ask for additional computer software training, or even basic computer training to grow your skills at this point, or any other skills training you have become aware of that is holding you back. Almost every job out there depends so heavily on computers and technology, yet most of us are ashamed to ask for the help we need to progress to the next level. Believe it or not, asking for that help will show your supervisor you are serious about advancing yourself, and becoming a bigger and better asset to the company. Many businesses prefer to promote from the rank and file rather than look elsewhere for new supervisors and managers. You can’t get recommended for a promotion unless your boss knows you actually want it.
Tell your supervisor you would like to take on new challenges in the workplace. Suggest other things you could do. For example, if you hear talk about a new project being planned, ask about it and how you can participate. If you get the opportunity, go the extra mile to do the best you possibly can.
If you’re fairly new on the job, try to find a mentor among the old-timers on the staff. A good mentor does more than ego-stroking. A good mentor can help you avoid pitfalls, can give you advice on who to trust, and can guide you in your chosen career path within the company. Don’t be surprised, however, if most of the existing staff regards you as a threat. Competition for favor within the workplace can be fierce. If you have proficient computer skills, tactfully offer these potential mentors some basic computer training or just tips here and there. As stated above, most people are afraid they will be looked upon poorly if they ask for additional computer software training, even though this is hardly ever the case. You will be surprised how much they will appreciate it if you offer it to them in a tactful and helpful way. If you really mean it, and are able help them grow their technical skills without asking for remedial computer software training, they will be an ally for quite sometime, and let you in on the secrets to their longevity.
If you’ve never taken a class in advertising or marketing, now is the time. Check the class schedule for your local community college and see what courses are offered at night or on weekends. The objective here is to learn how to package and sell yourself as a commodity in the workforce market.
