Career Development
Life Coach - One of the most important skills for professionals of any
age and in any area of expertise is career development. Those who
understand the fundamentals of advancing their career, whether through
networking, professional skill development, or better communication,
will see more success in their professional lives and out earn their
colleagues who have not yet mastered these skills. In the space that
follows, you will learn a little more about cultivating the skills that
will help you develop your career.
Career Development - The key to thriving in almost any profession is
networking. Networking is basically just another word for building
relationships with those who work in the same field as you, whether they
are your peers or your bosses. As your network of contacts grows, you
will be more likely to hear about new and exciting positions that are
opening up, or be able to find new clients quickly if you are launching
your own firm.
Another important aspect of career development is building contacts with
those who are more experienced than you. In many industries, it is
common for young professionals to take on a mentor, who will help them
learn some skills that will enable them to get ahead in their field.
Even if there is no formal program for you to do so at work, you should
see if you can create an informal relationship of this nature with
someone whom you admire.
If you wish to get better at your job, you must be open to criticism and
constantly finding ways to improve yourself. Constructive criticism can
sometimes sting, but listening to it and accepting it is the only way
that you can get better at what you do. When you are passed over for a
promotion or not given an assignment that you were hoping for, ask if
there is anything that you can do to put yourself in a better position
to earn this work in the future. Listen to what your supervisor has to
say and make the changes if you can.
There are classes in career development available through many colleges
and professional schools. For some who are just entering the
professional workforce, these classes can provide you with more
information on the skills that you will need to navigate a corporate
environment. In many cases, they are offered on evenings or weekends to
make them more available to those who are working in full time
positions.
There are a few skills that will help professionals advance their
careers, regardless of the type of industry that they are in. By finding
ways to hone these skills, you will soon be earning more than your
peers and will be in a better position to move into your dream job.
