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How to grow your career in 2022

BY READERS DIGEST

28th Jan 2022 Pensions & Retirement

How to grow your career in 2022

Ready to supercharge your career in 2022? After years of feeling stagnant in the middle of a pandemic, there is no better time to start thinking about putting your skills to use in a new role or a more senior role.

Many people are hungry for something new, and the good news is that job vacancies are at an all-time high. This means companies are waiting to hear from you, and they might be willing to offer above the odds in order to secure the top workers.

If you spent the pandemic learning new skills or training for a new career, now is the time to strike and look for your perfect role.

The new workforce: How the pandemic changed the workforce

The pandemic forced many people to re-think their priorities. Some quit jobs they were unhappy in to be able to take up new skills. Others were forced to rethink their career because their industries were shut down. And finally, those who stayed in their jobs started to think more seriously about how they wanted to spend their days. Many concluded that working from home all or part of the time is a much more attractive option.

The pandemic has changed the way we think about work, and therefore the way we look for jobs. This means that far more workers are actively looking for roles that will enable them to work from home, work flexible hours, and prioritise their personal development.

Those looking to grow their careers in 2022 should pay close attention to this shift in the way we think about work and use it to their advantage when negotiating in their current role or looking for a new role. Here are some of the ways you can achieve that.

Be honest about what you really want

If you want to have a thriving career, it’s important to be honest with yourself and others about what you really want. Stop imposing limits on yourself and start to think about what your dream career could look like. Once you know what you’re aiming for, you’ll know what steps you need to take to make it happen.

If all you need is more flexibility and support in your current role, then you know exactly what you need to ask for. But if you feel like you’ve outgrown your

Learn about what is in demand

You’ll have a much easier time switching careers or stepping up your career if you know what skills employers are really looking for. In-demand skills are an employer’s wish list at the moment. Even if you haven’t completely mastered the new skill set, showing an employer that you are willing to expand your skill set with training will go a long way.

Go back to school

If you don’t currently have the skills you need to take your career in the direction you want to go in, it’s time to think about going back to school. Maybe you dabbled with new skills during lockdown but now you want to take them more seriously? A short course or even a second degree could help you to acquire the skills you need to impress hiring managers. Consider also obtaining a certification in your field of interest to acquire new skills and impress hiring managers. Certifications can demonstrate your expertise and dedication to your career and may even be required for certain positions or industries. There are also various online resources that offer free study guides and materials to help you prepare for certification exams. For example, if you're interested in pursuing a career path in finance, you might need to pursue the Series 7 certification, which is required for individuals who want to sell securities products. You can find a free Series 7 study guide and materials online to help you prepare for the exam. Similarly, if you're interested in pursuing a career in IT, there are numerous free resources available to help you study for certifications like the CompTIA A+ or Cisco CCNA.

Find a mentor

Many people are looking for ways to give back and connect with new people, and they are doing this through mentorship. Whether it is a formal arrangement with someone higher up in your organisation, or it's an informal arrangement with someone you connected with on LinkedIn, a mentor could help to put your career on the right track.

It’s tempting to feel like we know it all and we’re always ready for the next step, but a mentor can help you to recognise the blind spots in your professional development and take steps to close these gaps.

Clear up on your online presence

Having an engaging social media presence benefits the individual, the company they work for, and their long-term career. Having a professional online presence can help you get noticed by hiring managers and could help to spark conversations with decision-makers. However, there is a darker side to social media.

Many hiring managers turn to social media to vet potential candidates, and your weekend antics might not paint you in the best light. Even if your platforms are private, always keep a close eye on what you are posting, sharing and commenting on so that it doesn’t come back to bite you.

Don’t neglect the soft skills

Communication skills are vital for any individual in the workplace. Communication is about more than just being heard; it’s also about listening and being able to process information that is given to you. If you want to develop or enhance your soft skills, then think about how you could improve the following essential skills:

  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving
  • Creativity
  • Leadership
  • Interpersonal skills

Think like a marketer

You might not work in marketing, but you should think like a marketer when designing your CV and cover letter. You’re trying to sell a rare commodity: your time. This means you need to think about what makes you unique and make sure this information is front and centre.

Every role that you apply for should have a bespoke CV and cover letter, but you also need a generic copy of each for LinkedIn, job sites and recruiters. By thinking like a marketer, you can tailor your CV and cover letter to your ideal target audience.

Work with a recruiter

If you have goals you want to reach in 2022, there’s no reason you have to do this alone. Working with a recruiter can help you to refine your approach and focus your attention on the tasks and approaches that are most likely to yield the best results.

A recruiter will also have the inside scoop on what skills employers are looking for and which companies are hiring. This can reduce your workload and allow you to focus on acquiring new skills and sprucing up your CV, rather than worrying if you’re headed in the right direction.

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