8 Things You Can Do to Help Your Career Right Now

The start of a new year is always a good time to reassess your career progress and identify ways to do better. With the bulk of 2018 still ahead of us, you have a great opportunity to set the stage for a highly successful year. Here are a few steps you can take to get there.  

Many of us don’t think about networking until we’re in the market for a new job. Not only is networking something you should be doing all the time, but it’s something you should be doing within your own company. The more people you meet and interact with, the more knowledge you’ll get exposed to. Furthermore, you never know when a great opportunity might arise, whether within your company or another, and if your relationship with the right person is what lands you first dibs, you could be well on your way to a promotion before you know it. So mingle at company gatherings, sign up for business conferences, and ask your associates for more introductions. You have nothing to lose, and lots to gain. 

ALSO READ: Career "Networking" Is Not Optional. Here's How to Do It

It’s easy to grow complacent when you’re good at what you do and your efforts are appreciated. But if you really want to help your career, pledge to learn at least one new skill this year. It could be a hard skill related specifically to your job, like a new software program, or a soft skill

https://www.fool.com/careers/2018/01/07/10-soft-skills-hiring-managers-are-looking-for.aspx

While growing your skills is a good way to show that you’re evolving professionally, it’s crucial not to let your core skills fall by the wayside. This means reading up on changes to your industry and making sure any certifications you have are up to date. It also involves signing up for continuing education classes as needed, and showing up at industry events to keep tabs on the latest developments. 

If you’re like most workers, you probably feel like there’s so much to do and hardly enough hours to accomplish it all. But if you learn to more effectively manage your time, you’ll not only reduce your stress level, but increase your productivity. Often, time management boils down to setting priorities and powering through tasks, so at the start of each week, make a list of the things you need to get done, and set a schedule that allows you to give those tasks your full attention. Then, pledge not to let other things distract you along the way. You’ll accomplish more, and have less to worry about. 

ALSO READ: 7 Time Management Secrets From Exceptionally Successful CEOs

Communicating effectively is easier said than done. But while you can’t snap your fingers and become a better speaker or writer overnight, you can work on being more mindful of how you interact with others. For one thing, allocate a small amount of time each day to answer your most high-profile emails -- as in, the ones where several higher-ups are copied. The beauty of email is that it lets you choose your words wisely, so don’t rush through the important ones. Furthermore, employ the art of thinking before you speak during live discussions and meetings. If need be, take a few extra seconds to sort out your thoughts before spitting out replies. Finally, pay attention to those people who you consider to be strong communicators. See what they’re doing right, and aim to follow suit.

Confidence doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but the more self-assured you appear at work, the more respect you’ll get from those around you. That’s why it pays to work on being more assertive, whether verbally or via email. To start, stop apologizing for things that require no remorse on your part. Beginning a sentence with “I’m sorry” only sends the message that your opinion shouldn’t be taken seriously. Furthermore, part of being assertive is learning how to say no as needed. It’s natural to want to please everyone, but if you learn to firmly but appropriately push back, your reputation might actually improve. 

Being a team player adds value in its own right. But if you really want to get your management team’s attention, you’ll need to go big. That means volunteering to take the lead on a newly proposed project, or suggesting one of your own that’s sure to add value to your company. If you’re able to prove that you’re capable of managing people and deadlines, you’ll be more likely to climb the ranks as opportunities arise. 

ALSO READ: 3 Ways to Be a Better Employee in 2018

Let’s face it: Having a good relationship with your manager is pivotal to growing your career. So if you really want to get your boss to like you, your best bet is to identify his or her single greatest point of stress, and alleviate it. This might mean offering to compile the weekly data your manager is responsible for sorting through, or taking over that presentation he or she has been dreading. In fact, it never hurts to go ahead and ask your manager directly what you can do to offer the most support. It’s a gesture that won’t go unappreciated. 

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