4 Career Advancement Tips Worth Considering

Are you happy in your current career? Think a change to something more gratifying and lucrative is worth pursuing? Whether you want to admit it, career planning isn’t something you do once and then forget about in the hopes everything works out.

Indeed, changing workplace dynamics over the past year have opened people’s eyes to, at the very least, consider whether they want to remain in their current job. Others, however, are taking advantage of more time spent at home to look into and pursue new career avenues they may have never before considered.

Succeeding in a constantly changing workplace requires a career management plan. Here are four career advancement tips worth considering:

1. Keep an Up-to-Date Resume

When good job opportunities come a-knocking, your best bet at landing one starts with having an up-to-date and polished resume to send to potential employers. Remember, yours should be customized to showcase your achievements, skills, and strengths. And while every company is different, make sure your resume includes any:

• Applicable soft, hard, and technical skills
• Important job duties from each of your previous positions
• Achievements and employee development from previous positions

While it’s cheaper to write one on your own, you could also hire a professional resume writer, who will know what to include (and not include) on your resume as well as how to differentiate yourself from the competition.

2. Create a LinkedIn Profile

After combing through your resume and cover letter, HR personnel and hiring managers will more than likely scour the internet to find out more information about you. Their first stop? Your LinkedIn profile. With 750 million-plus users, it’s no secret the platform has become the go-to source for job searches, networking, and brand building. So, use LinkedIn to your advantage to research companies and their employees, tap into industry news, and network like there’s no tomorrow.

3. Contemplate Your Career Trajectory

Of course, contemplating your future and where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years isn’t solely in the hands of key decision-makers — you have a say, too. To that end, sit down and think about what you desire for the future. Perhaps that means searching for a new job, shadowing colleagues to see if another position would be a better fit, or looking for other professional development opportunities.

You should also try to reflect critically on your past successes and in areas where you fell short. This way, when you start to truly understand yourself and what you desire in life, you’ll be better able to create a plan to reach and achieve your desired goals.

4. Explore New Education or Training Opportunities

Just because you feel content and have been successful working professionally over the years doesn’t mean going back to school should be out of the question. Beyond doing the work, one of the best ways to advance in your career is to pursue new educational opportunities, such as a four-year degree or certificate program.

For those looking to begin or grow their career in the tech sector, pursuing a path in cybersecurity may be your best bet. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cybersecurity sector is predicted to grow by 31 percent by 2029, and the average salary for a U.S. cybersecurity professional is $94,000 annually. To get there, one option is to pursue an online cybersecurity certificate, which will serve as a valuable investment to both learn the ins and outs of the industry and help grow your career.

Take Control of Your Career

Career advancement doesn’t just happen overnight and without some sacrifices and effort. However, it’s more than possible if you dedicate the time to maintain your resume, network with like-minded professionals, learn and develop new skills, and work toward achieving your goals. By understanding your innate talents and how you can contribute to any organization, you’ll be better prepared to advance in your career.