Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Career goals take center stage at the dawn of a new year. Thanks in part to New Year’s resolutions, many professionals use January as a time to reflect on their careers and how to advance them in the year ahead.
In a 2015 survey of 10,000 people who recently left their jobs, the professional networking social media platform LinkedIn found that career advancement was the number one reason people took new jobs. Various strategies can help people who have resolved to take the next step in their careers over the next 12 months.

CONTINUE TO FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION

Advancements in technology and the often breakneck pace of modern business has made it necessary for ambitious professionals to continue learning if they hope to advance their careers, a fact that savvy professionals already recognize. A 2016 survey from the Pew Research Center found that 54% of adults in the labor force say it will be essential for them to get new training and develop new skills throughout their professional life in order to keep up with changes in the workplace. Some professionals may benefit by pursuing a graduate degree or earning their doctorate, while others may need to update or earn certifications from professional organizations. Regardless of their individual situation, education is a great way for professionals to advance their careers.

GIVE YOURSELF YOUR OWN REVIEW

Employers conduct reviews to evaluate employees and potentially reward them with higher salaries. Advancement-minded professionals can conduct their own reviews to determine which areas they need to improve. When taking this approach, it’s vital that professionals be honest with themselves. Assess interactions with colleagues to determine if you can be a more effective communicator or team player. If those are your strengths, consider ways you can fine tune other skills. No professional is perfect, and improving on your weaknesses is a great way to take the next step in your career.

FOCUS ON NETWORKING

The value of networking is undeniable, but even ardent networkers may be surprised to learn just how much networking can help advance their careers. LinkedIn estimates that as many as 85% of job openings are filled through some form of networking, so professionals who hone their networking skills are doing themselves a significant service in regard to advancing their careers.