You are building a successful business career. Yet, plenty of work may still lie ahead as you try to accomplish your career aspirations.
Research indicates less than 50% of U.S. workers are satisfied with their current job. Regardless, many people experience career stagnation, to the point where they no longer want to pursue opportunities to accelerate their professional growth.
Your career may be stagnant if you constantly think about quitting your job, feel bored at work, or are unwilling or not interested in exploring new professional opportunities. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to overcome career stagnation. And, with the right approach, you can put yourself in a great position to accomplish your career goals.
Now, let’s look at five ways you can advance your career in business.
1. Fine-Tune Your Career Goals
Make a list of career goals. Think about what you’ve accomplished thus far in your career and how many goals you’ve achieved. Next, fine-tune your goals and determine appropriate steps to achieve them.
Oftentimes, it helps to plot your career goals based on your surroundings. To do so, explore the job market and identify opportunities that align with your career interests. From here, determine what skills you have and which ones you’ll need to land your ideal role.
It can also be beneficial to use SMART goals, i.e. goals that are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Ensure your SMART goals are realistic and correspond to steps you can use to accomplish them. Track your progress as you complete your SMART goals. If you miss the mark on certain goals, try not to stress. Instead, adjust your goals and continue to work toward accomplishing them.
2. Grow Your Professional Network
Use LinkedIn, Facebook, and other online platforms to build your professional network. You can use these platforms to reach out to current and former colleagues. In addition, these networks can make it easy to find like-minded individuals in your respective industry.
As you build your professional network, keep the lines of communication open. Let your network know you are open to career opportunities. Don’t forget to provide members of your network with assistance as well.
Keep an eye out for in-person and virtual networking events, too. For instance, Meetup lets you identify professional networking events close to home. Meanwhile, you can use Eventbrite to find online networking events that let you engage with professionals from around the world.
3. Hire a Career Coach
Partner with a career coach who can help you move forward in your career. This coach will learn about you and what you want to accomplish professionally. Then, he or she can work with you to help you build and execute your career plan.
You can find a career coach online or use your professional network to identify one. Before you hire a career coach, learn what he or she has to offer. If you feel good about a career coach, you can work with him or her now and in the future.
4. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Explore myriad technologies and how you can use them to climb the corporate ladder. Because, if you learn the ins and outs of different technologies, you can make yourself a vital contributor to a company’s success.
There is no shortage of technologies to consider. For instance, you can use an online whiteboard that allows you to brainstorm thoughts and ideas in a virtual workspace. The whiteboard can help you hone your career path. Plus, you can incorporate the whiteboard into your everyday work so you can become more productive than ever before.
Also, it pays to monitor business technology trends. By staying up to date on tech trends, you can identify the right software and tools to help you grow your career. Furthermore, you’ll be able to show prospective employers you are committed to following tech trends, which can help you distinguish yourself from other candidates for the top jobs in your industry.
5. Enroll in Classes and Training Programs
Sign up for business classes and training programs whenever possible. Ultimately, the more you learn, the more likely it becomes you can grow your career.
Many business classes and training programs are available. You may want to consider a digital marketing class, for example, to learn how to use Google Analytics and other state-of-the-art marketing tools. Comparatively, if you feel like your career has plateaued, now may be a great time to pursue an MBA.
As you complete business classes and training programs, update your resume accordingly. Over time, you’ll have a wide range of skills and training, all of which can help you take your career to the next level.
Don’t Wait to Pursue Your Career Goals
There is no need to “settle” for a subpar career. Each day presents a new opportunity to bolster your career, and you need to plan accordingly.
Although your career remains a work in progress, there is always room for improvement. With every step you take to achieve your career goals, you can build the career you’ve always wanted. In the long run, you can reap the benefits of a successful career.
