There is no reason why you can’t have the career of your dreams; however, it isn’t just hard work that is going to get you there. You also need to employ some strategic steps to ensure that you come out ahead.
If this sounds like something you are struggling with, read on for three things you should do to take your career to the next level.
- Map out your dream career.
Before you dive head-first into executing your plan to take your career to the next level, you want to dedicate some time to envisioning where exactly you want to go. After all, there is no point in throwing yourself into the wind if you aren’t sure how to direct the sails.
Often touted by some of the world’s most successful people, career mapping is something that more people need to get on board with — it is an essential step in ensuring you have a job you love. Think of it this way: You are the sole artist of your life, and you have the ability to decorate the canvas exactly how you want it to look.
Without letting your past dictate your future, take the time to devise a map of your life that illustrates the future you want. Make sure to incorporate your attainments, your profession, your relationships, your financial goals, your hobbies, and more.
If you are unhappy in your current position, you want to switch industries entirely, you want to research jobs in Abu Dhabi, or you are just looking to climb up the ladder in your firm, keep in mind that nothing is forever, and use this time to plan how you are going to reach your dream job and position.
- Work with a recruitment agency.
Frequently, after spending time career mapping, many people don’t know how to make their next step happen. Perhaps you don’t have an “in” within the particular industry you are looking to become a part of, or you don’t know anyone in the geographical location where you want to work.
Whatever the reason, if you are looking to boost your career, then you may want to opt to work with a recruitment agency.
While a recruitment agency can’t tell you how your career should progress, they can give you plenty of options. After all, they have access to areas of the job market that you may not be in a position to access on your own. If you don’t know how to get your foot in the door at a company or aren’t entirely sure what jobs are available, then a recruitment agency can be of massive benefit to you and your career.
Not only do they specialize in creating long-lasting relationships with firms and candidates, but they also know how to operate in a hyper-connected world which allows you to search for jobs in all corners of the globe.
In other words, you don’t need to limit yourself to your hometown; you can also be in the know regarding the latest vacancies in Dubai.
- Put on your networking hat.
No matter what industry you are in, you can never predict what opportunities networking can potentially bring you. One of the essential ingredients in the salad of success, those who are continually networking are likely to be in a better position to take their career to the next level — quicker.
No matter where you are in your career path, you want to be making new connections in your industry as often as you can. You never know when a relationship will prove worthwhile! There are plenty of ways to network; however, the best way to approach the task is to do it naturally. The more organic your professional relationships, the more likely they are to be fruitful.
It is better to think of networking as connecting — with that mindset, you are more likely to have interactions that are genuine and honest.
Even if boosting your career is the last thing on your mind at the moment, still, endeavour to grow your network by three people every week. This could be by reaching out to a thought leader in your industry on social media, attending a networking event, asking to take a potential mentor out for coffee, or commenting on a blog post.
All these small interactions add up, and as long as you strive to contribute value to your network, then your network will reciprocate the support.
AUTHOR BIO
David Mackenzie, a recruitment professional with over 20 years’ experience in the field and a record of entrepreneurial accomplishment, is Managing Director and Head of HR at Mackenzie Jones. As the Group MD, David is responsible for the overall direction of the Mackenzie Jones Group, including Mackenzie Jones, MumsAtWork, MENA Solutions, Simply Digital and ThinkTech.