6 ways to take control of your career development
Taking your career to the next level is possible at any age or stage of life. It’s never too late to reach your career goals, and trust us, you’ll wish you did it sooner. Being stuck in a job that you don’t enjoy, or one with no room for progression, can impact you mentally and it’ll affect other areas of your life too. No job is worth that. That’s why putting a career development plan in place is so important. This doesn’t have to be a physical plan, it could simply be making a mental note of where you want to be in five years. We know it’s scary to change jobs, and it’s natural to worry about asking for more, but career development works best when you’re pushed out of your comfort zone.
How to take control of your career development
Feeling stuck in your career and not sure how to progress? Well, what if you didn’t have to feel like that? What if you could control your career development and tailor it to suit your needs? Luckily, you can do exactly that. Take control of your work in just a few simple ways and get that career that you’ve always dreamt of.
Make a career plan
Controlling your career begins by making a clear cut plan; a plan that can guide you through your progression for the next few years. It’s also important to be bold and dream big when making your career plan - nothing is unachievable if you really want it. Start by asking yourself a few quick questions to get the ball rolling:
- What are your aims?
- Do you enjoy your current role?
- Where do you want to be in a few years?
Having this sort of heart-to-heart with yourself will show you whether you want to change careers completely, aim for a higher position, or move companies. View your development as an exciting new journey that’s ready to begin.
Talk to your superiors
Managers, supervisors and superiors are here to help. It's important to talk to them to explain what you want to achieve. If they can't provide you with what you need, or their promises of progression have fallen flat, it might be time to move on. Forming good relationships with people who are higher up is always helpful as they can serve as mentors in your career development. Don’t forget to express yourself as well, if you’re not where you should be - let them know and maybe they can help.
Room for development
Taking a long hard look at your current job role and ask yourself - is there room for development in this role? If there isn’t, then it probably isn’t the job for you. On the other hand, maybe you’re actually overqualified and overdeveloped for your current position. In which case, see if you can be promoted to a higher role, or again, it could be time to jump ship. As development is key, this step is a really important part of your progression.
Strengths and weaknesses
No one’s perfect, and assessing your weaknesses as well as your strengths is always useful. Consider which skills you possess, which you could build on, and those you could acquire. Every job role should provide you with the chance to take courses or apply for related opportunities. Looking into extra training courses or gaining experience can really boost your list of skills. As that skill list grows, so does the number of doors that open in your career.
Are you happy?
Probably the most important question to ask when it comes to your career - are you happy? That could be with the role, the business, or maybe both. You could love the role but hate the lack of flexibility in working hours, or how long the commute takes. In which case, changing locations or opting for a flexible working environment could be the best option. Why put yourself through years of work you hate when you could take a leap and land in something you love?
Take action
Last, but not least, put all of your work into taking action. This process is not quite complete without you showing yourself that you can make that jump into a new career, or that you can ask for that well-deserved promotion. Controlling your career gives you the freedom to do whatever you want, so if you’re stuck in a dull office job, go out and find something you’re passionate about.
Maybe you’re looking to take your career to the next level and set up your own business? If you are, then we can help to kit out your office with all of the furniture you’ll need to get started. Interested in how we can help your career development plans? Contact us today.