Career Planning Strategies

The best way to think about career planning strategies is to stop time. Not really, but what you do need is to set aside time so you can focus on thinking about what matters.

Top 10 tips to help you grow your career.

1. Develop your skill set. Take the time to learn new skills or brush up on existing ones. This will give you a competitive edge and help you stand out from the crowd.

2. Network. Get out there and meet new people in your field. You never know whom you might meet that could help you move forward in your career.

3. Stay current. Make sure you keep up to date with industry trends, news, and new technologies. Use LinkedIn to follow topics. Use a hashtag in front of a subject then follow.

4. Take on new challenges. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take on new tasks or responsibilities. Take in this EA Podcast episode, Leading from Beyond for inspiration.

5. Pursue certifications and accreditations. Adding credentials to your resume can help make you more attractive to potential employers. I highly recommend a Project Management certification over an administrative-focused one. See how your peers voted via this poll posted on LinkedIn (view here).

6. Put yourself out there. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and volunteer for industry-related groups. Exceptional Admins run workshops throughout the year. Check out the ea University page for details.

7. Ask for feedback. When you receive feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or clients, use it to make improvements to your work. 

8. Set career goals. Outline your aspirations and create a plan to help you reach them. Consider the Career Development Exercise as your first step.

9. Offer to help others. Mentor others in the workplace or help out on projects. Consider this Mentorship EA podcast episode.

10. Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough rest, exercise, and healthy meals. Taking care of your physical and mental health is key to staying motivated and achieving success. This EA Podcast episode, Cell to Soul, is step one in working on work/life harmony.

To help further think outside of the box about your career, be sure to take in this podcast episode where you and your future are discussed.

Launch Pad:

1. Consider your first step in defining what career happiness is for YOU.

2. Decide if a certification or otherwise is the right next move for YOU.

3. Think about whom to talk to about your desires and any concerns.

Be sure out check out the below podcast episode for more insight and laughs.