Whether you are still in school, fresh out of college, or steady into your current job, let this be the year you take charge of your career! Even if your current situation isn’t exactly where you want to be (or doesn’t seem related to where you want to be), don’t let that stop you from being motivated. Make the best of each day and know when it’s time to make your next move.
The CGS Team is right there with you! We want to take charge of our careers and take City Girl Savings to the next level. Join us in taking charge! We’re sharing a few pointers to help you get in control of your current career. Let’s work together in keeping each other motivated to keep pushing.
Assess Your Current Situation
Regardless of where you are in your career (or working towards your career), it’s important to take a good look at your current situation. Is your job challenging? Is it related to your ultimate career goal? What skills can you take away from your current job to use in the future? Even if it doesn’t seem like much, your current situation is a stepping stone for what your future holds. Make the most of it! Does your job offer free training for employees?
Does your job promote volunteering or employee networking? You may not see yourself in this situation long term, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the benefits offered to you. Until something changes, maximize your situation by learning as much as you can and meeting as many people as you can.
Define What You Want
What is your ultimate career goal? Write it down. Next, write down what you think you can do to get there. If your goal is to own your own business, some of your steps would be “start researching state regulations for business owners” and “research the current market for the product or service I plan to offer.”
If your goal is to become established in a certain industry, look for jobs that will help you get there. Don’t be ashamed to start at the bottom. It’s very rare to jump right into the job of your dreams. Plus, working hard will make victory that much sweeter. As you look for work or take on new challenges, keep your long term goals in mind. Each action you take should be a step closer to reaching your goal.
Do Your Best Every Day
According to Jesse Sostrin, author of Beyond the Job Description: How Managers and Employees Can Navigate the True Demands of the Job, “The number one challenge that every employee faces is standing out and getting ahead of the change curve over the course of their working life. In order to do that, you have to go beyond your job description to add increasing value to the organization while you confront the unexpected challenges to getting great work done.”
As tedious as your job may seem right now, always do your best. Give it your all. When you are a value add, people take notice. It will speak highly of you and remain with those who remember you, even if you move on to completely different employers. To take charge of your future career means you need to always do the best job you can do in the present.
Make It a Point to Network
Would you consider yourself shy and introverted? If so, then make it a goal to meet 10 new people this year. Go to community events or company mixers. Interested in the finance industry? Visit your local Edward Jones and ask to speak with an advisor. You may not be in need of financial advising, but they will be more than happy to let you pick their brain.
Building your network will help you as you move along your professional path. Your network can help lead to growth discussions and even potential job referrals. Want some more tips on how to form a network? Check out the article Finance 101: Forming Your Network.
Never Stop Learning
You may already have a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and a PHD, but that doesn’t mean you should stop learning! There is an abundant amount of knowledge available to all those who seek it. If you are trying to grow in a specific career or industry, start sharpening your current skills and learning new skills to help you.
Most employers offer online training for a variety of skills. Do a search and see what type of trainings will help you in the future. Consider taking a night class at your local community college. Visit your nearest bookstore and read up on how to start your own business. Always stay looking for new information. When you become comfortable and complacent, you stop growing.
Always Be Prepared
Don’t wait until someone asks for your resume to update it. Always have an updated resume handy, even if you are in the job you want. If you aren’t necessarily where you want to be, always keep an eye out for job openings. Review listings on a bi-weekly basis. Your dream job may have an opening and you don’t want to miss it because you are too comfortable where you are now.
Another reason why it’s so important to always be prepared is because unexpected things happen. Layoffs happen, terminations happen. In the instance that either happen to you, be ahead of the game with an updated resume and a general understanding of what’s currently open in the job market.
Related: CGS Podcast Interview with Career Coach Lexi
Knowing what you want and what you can offer is essential when taking charge of your career. Set goals and never stop working towards them. When you achieve the job you want, your next goal should become one of the best in the industry. Always keep moving and remember to do your best. Your work will one day speak for itself, and you want it to say great things!
What are some of your career goals? What is your ultimate dream job? What are you doing today to get to where you want to be? Let’s share with each other and inspire one another! Leave a comment below!
4 thoughts on “Take Charge of Your Career”
It’s true, no matter what job you are currently in always do your best. Although the job you’re in may not be your dream job there is always something that you can learn from each job. It’s important to value each job and take whatever skills that you can learn from that job because those skills could be applied for future jobs.
My dream job is working for a news station either behind the scenes producing or being a reporter. This year I plan to get more involved in this business in both school and through possible internships. I currently work at a hospital, which is far from my dream, but trust me this job has taught me patience and to appreciate people, which I will carry with me. Ladies !! What’s your dream job and how you planning to walk in your purpose in 2016? @ashleyroop13 @sarah-urban @Diamondpieces @newme45 @eellis513
Happy Wednesday Ladies! @babinangel @chelseahippler @Kendra @hthrift @elle-colangelo Have you read the new “Take Charge of Your Career in 2016” article? We are sharing how to do just that! What are your career goals for 2016? Do you have any business ventures to start or continue on this year? We would love to hear from you!
I love this post! It’s extremely inspiring. They say that if you love what you do, you never have to feel like you are actually doing work. Even if you are not in your dream role, try to focus on the positive aspects of your job. Keeping a positive attitude has helped me in the past and it makes a difference in whoever comes in contact with you!