Do you fall into any of the following categories?
- a) You are stuck in a job you hate
- b) You are unemployed and looking for work
- c) You are struggling to climb the career ladder
- d) You are not achieving your full potential
If any of the above are true to you, then it’s time to improve your job prospects. By doing so, you will progress in your chosen career or, if you are not currently in work, improve your chances of finding employment in a career that interests you. Consider the following.
1. Go back to school
Whether it’s to push your way into the higher echelons of the current company you work for, or simply to get your feet onto a new career ladder, going back to school may be advantageous for you. Whether it’s a full-blown qualification that takes you out of work for a while or something you can do on a part-time basis, such as an RN to BSN course in nursing, conquer your fear of having to do homework again, and take a course that will improve your career prospects.
2. Network with others
It’s not always what you know but who you know when it comes to advancing your career prospects. Therefore, consider the power of networking, whether it’s people you talk to on your social media accounts, or meeting new people face-to-face at job fairs, conferences and other industry events. You might just find that person who can give you the leg-up you need to succeed in your chosen career.
3. Work on your skills
Aside from going back into education, there are other things you can do to improve your skill levels. This includes taking on new challenges at the place you are currently working in, looking for voluntary opportunities out of work, and practicing those areas of your skill-set that you are weakest in. You might even want to talk to your current boss at your next evaluation (or your careers guidance counsellor) and ask him/her what skills they consider essential to push you further along your job progression.
4. Read up on your chosen industry
Read books, trade magazines, and online articles about the career you are/want to be a part of. Find out what it takes to climb further, discover where your chosen industry is heading, and fill your head with knowledge to enhance your expertise. This will help you when you are networking with others, as well as giving you the tools to know what you need to do to succeed in the industry you are interested in.
5. Re-organise your life
You won’t improve your job prospects if your life is chaotic. You may need to motivate yourself for a start, so get rid of any needless distractions that are hindering your career prospects. Focus on what it is you need to do to improve and find the people who can help you, rather than drag you down. Manage your time better, so you aren’t procrastinating or wasting time doing other, less fruitful things. In short, get your life in order to give you the mindset to grow and improve, instead of staying exactly where you are right now.
Finally
Focus on those five things and you should be able to improve your career prospects in no time. Seek further advice from the people who can help you, and chart out a plan of where you want to be as a means to guide you further.
