How to Effectively Grow in Your Career

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Learning how to develop your career is a worthwhile venture. However, it can be challenging to know the right steps to take. To put it simply, by upskilling and acquiring the skills that employers need, it is possible.

Regardless of your field, upskilling will be an important part of career growth. A key area to focus on upskilling is technology. There is currently a huge gap in digital skills in the UK, and worldwide. 80% of employers believe employees do not have the necessary digital skills.

And upskilling will be key to keeping up with technology demands. In addition, careers that require digital skills pay 29% more than average. Thus, gaining these vital skills can lead to higher-than-average pay and more job opportunities.

Part of the reason so many employees lack necessary skills is that they are unsure of how to grow in their careers. There is also a lack of urgency in the need for training. Read on to find out why upskilling is important, and learn steps you can take today to help advance your career.

How Upskilling Can Advance Your Career

People often pick up new skills while at work. These can vary from operating technology to cultivating positive communication and problem-solving. Facing challenges or obstacles to getting a task done enables employees to think in new ways, and problem-solve. All these are ways to advance your career while in your current job.

Working with others requires honing communication skills so that teams can be productive as a group. And, if your organisation adopts new software or technology for the workplace, it can be an opportunity to learn a new skill.

There are a number of benefits to learning new skills, such as:

• Rewarding challenges: Staying interested in your job is easier if you feel successful at overcoming the challenges you face.
• Better toolbox: The more skills you have in your toolbox, the better you’ll be at problem-solving in the workplace.
• Expand network: As you develop new skills, you’ll have a chance to get to know new people too. Whether it’s from a course or workshop you took or a group you join as your interests grow.
• Build a good reputation: Those keen to learn and grow will build a reputation as someone reliable, talented, and inspiring.
• More opportunities: With more capabilities come bigger and better jobs and promotions, pay increases, and more.
• Stay sharp: Learning is one of the best ways to stay sharp, which keeps you feeling young and healthy.

How Can I Grow in My Career?

Knowing how to grow professionally without leaving your current role is vital to growing your career. You don’t need to wait for a new opportunity or promotion to be able to grow your career. Learning new skills, cultivating new contacts for your network, and expanding your perspective can all be excellent ways to grow in your current job.

You should consider what you need to learn to help you boost your career and bring you more confidence at work. For example, if you work in a business or administration career, perhaps fully understanding Microsoft Office will help make your job easier. Or maybe a communication course can help make your day-to-day communications clearer.

Also, consider which skills are in high demand at the moment. The most in-demand digital skill is software and web development. Other key digital skills in the workforce today are cybersecurity, digital marketing, digital project management, and data analysis. Developing new skills can be as simple as taking a course or learning from a reliable educator. For example, with online web development courses, you can learn this in-demand skill from the comfort of your home. Online courses are a convenient way to fit learning into your schedule.

4 Tips to Grow in Your Career

You can get started learning new skills no matter where you are. Here are some tips to help you get started and learn more about how to develop your career.

1. Set Goals

Decide what areas of professional development you want to focus on. Are you looking to improve your communication capabilities? How about enhancing your presentation proficiency? Do you want to boost your digital skillset? Whatever skills you want to acquire, set SMART goals. These are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. As you define your goals, think about how you’re going to measure them.

2. Develop a Plan

Once you’ve defined your learning goals, you’ll need to develop a step-by-step plan to help you get there. It works best if you define small steps you can do each day or week to help advance your goals. You should consider training to learn new skills or finding a mentor to guide you in your career.

3. Be Ready

Look for opportunities to reach your goals. This can be through training that your employer offers, but it can also include other options. Consider extra projects that you can take on that would sharpen your skills. Find a mentor who can help guide you. Or take a class at a local school. The more you look for chances to grow your abilities, the faster you’ll reach your goals.

4. Track Your Growth

It can sometimes become frustrating when you’re trying to achieve your goals. Tracking your growth and what you’ve accomplished can help you battle negative feelings. You’ll start to see how far you’ve come. Tracking your progress is also helpful to see what you may need to work on a little more.

Professional Growth Leads to Personal Growth

The skills and abilities you develop while on the job come with benefits that flow over into your personal growth. Whether it’s enhanced communication skills, tech savviness, collaboration, or problem-solving, you’ll find that as you grow professionally, you’re also growing personally.

This article was guest written by Tigran Mirzoyan.