Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to advance your career?
Whether you’re aiming for a promotion or a new position altogether, you can cultivate habits to help you stand out as you push your career to the next level – or just shine as a star performer right where you are.
Try these simple tweaks to up your game and make this your most successful year yet.
Remind Yourself What You Do Well
“Oftentimes we’re [so] caught up in the pace of moving forward that we don’t always carve time to look back. Schedule time on your calendar, even an hour is sufficient, to capture accomplishments from the previous 12 months. In addition, identify setbacks—these are accomplishments in disguise. What was the situation and how did you overcome it? These accomplishments will serve you well on future job interviews.” — Read more at Monster.
Know Something That No One Else Does
“Indra Nooyi, CEO [of PepsiCo], says you should have a ‘hip-pocket skill,’ something you’re known for being great at and can develop even further. Nooyi has a ‘hip-pocket skill’ of her own, which is being able to explain complex issues in simple terms. It helped her stand out at PepsiCo. ‘People should look at you and say, ‘You know on this particular issue, the only person who can answer it or contribute to it is Dan,’ Nooyi says. Unique skills makes you valuable, and being valuable is how you get promoted.” — Read more at CNBC.
Stand Out on LinkedIn for More Career Success
“Your LinkedIn profile can support embedded files. This means that you can upload PowerPoint, Excel and Word files under a job in your ‘Experience’ section. Show samples of your work to prove you have the necessary skills for future jobs. Better yet, add video or pictures to your summary to highlight your career successes. Adding media content to your profile will instantly catch someone’s eye and help differentiate you from similar professionals.” — Read more at U.S. News.
Keep Learning for Inspiration, Motivation — and Skill Building
“[C]ontinuing your education will help you find purpose in your work again. One of the many benefits of lifelong learning is that it helps challenge you, which might be exactly what you need to rekindle your passion for work. Even if what you choose to learn is irrelevant to the work you do, you’ll still feel inspired and motivated to do things with your life, which might be exactly what you need to push you and talk to your boss about taking on different duties or changing jobs.” — Read more at Career Addict.
Set Specific Goals and Follow Up Often
“Putting your plans on a concrete time frame will help you stay on track so you don’t put your big goals and dreams on the back burner when life, work and other responsibilities get in the way. Prioritize your goals to make them happen. Schedule time each week to work specifically towards accomplishing your goal and set aside an additional 15 minutes each week to monitor your progress, investigate next steps, and correct the course.” — Read more at Lifehack.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? Please share with all of us in the comments below!
Lindsey Pollak is the leading voice on millennials in the workplace, trusted by global companies, universities, the world’s top media outlets — and, most importantly, by millennials themselves. A New York Times bestselling author, Lindsey began her career as a dorm RA in college and has been mentoring millennials — and explaining them to other generations — ever since. Her keynote speeches have audiences so engaged that, in the words of one attendee, “I didn’t check my phone once!” Contact Lindsey to discuss a speaking engagement for your organization.
