Are you enjoying what you’re doing, or are you just comfortable? In today’s world, it’s so easy to get used to your job and the responsibilities you have, simply because it’s comfortable. However, if you really want to learn and grow, the key is to get uncomfortable. If you’re too comfortable with your work duties, you may not be challenging yourself enough. If you struggle with advancing in your career and taking that next step, you may need some guidance on what to do next. These are our best tips for how to further your career if you’re feeling stuck:
Have clear goals. No matter where you are in your career, it’s so important to know your mission and define what success looks like to you. When you have clear goals on where you want to be and what you want to be doing, you will constantly be taking actions that work towards them (even if you don’t realize it!) Within your goals, make sure you have a timeline with small and large milestones clearly defined. If you’re not where you expected yourself to be in one year or five years, take a step back and re-evaluate what may be stopping you from getting there.
Take risks. There are many different ways that you can be taking risks in your role. This can include taking on new and unfamiliar responsibilities that may be far outside your comfort zone. However, trying new things and succeeding at them take you one step further in your career. You will never learn something new until you attempt it, and even if you fail at first, that failure will push you to eventually succeed. On top of that, if you’re feeling like you can be advancing at your current company, take a risk and ask for more. Ask for an increase in pay or a change in your job title, and use your past hard work and successes to show why you’re deserving.
Get feedback from your managers. You should frequently be checking in with your managers and bosses on how your work performance is going. You should know what your strengths have been, and what you could improve on. It’s extremely helpful to hear constructive criticism from others because it allows you to have an outside perspective on what you could be doing better. Share with your managers what your career goals are and how you want to get there; with that information, they can provide you with advice and take actions to help you reach those goals whenever they can.
Keep building your skills. The key to advancing is to never stop learning. Once you find that you’ve truly mastered everything you’re doing, take the initiative to move forward. Challenge yourself and add something new to your plate that you aren’t familiar with. While it will feel uncomfortable at first, it will lead you towards growth in your position and in your industry. It also might help you learn more about yourself and potentially discover other things that you may enjoy doing more than your current role. For more specific tips, check out our past blog on how you can keep your skills up-to-date.
Network. Regardless of where you are in your career, never stop building your network. Take the time to introduce yourself to everyone around you, and meet as many new people as you can. This can include going to company events outside of normal work hours, or even just taking the time to introduce yourself to other company members in different departments. The more people you know, the more connections you have. You never know when a certain connection could lead you to a great opportunity! Stay active on networking sites like LinkedIn, and connect with people as you meet them.
For more tips on all things job search and professional development, check out our Employee Tips or contact us at mglenny@franklinprofessionals.com.
