Three Easy Steps To Success
Though change is scary, and many people have a right to be apprehensive, it is far better than the alternative. Humans are inherently dynamic. Without change and new experiences, we grow bored and even stressed. This stress can compound over the weeks and even years, leading to several health side effects and eventually a complete breakdown.
In your career, stagnancy will almost always mean a lack of progression. If you don’t showcase the drive to succeed and improve your skillset, your employers will almost have no choice but to keep you exactly where you are, potentially in a situation you do not particularly enjoy. As you get older, this can cause more strain on your income, and thus exacerbate the situation.
We need to improve ourselves for our career and for our quality of life. This change doesn’t have to be scary, nor does it have to be sudden. Instead, by following these top three suggestions, you can enjoy a more fulfilling life and greater career opportunities all at once.
- Ask for New Opportunities and Responsibilities at Work
Your workplace is not like your school. Your employers will not tell you every step to take nor do they hound you to do your best. You need to take the initiative in order to survive and succeed. Part of this is asking for opportunities and taking on new responsibilities at work. If you want a raise or a promotion, then this is how you get it:
- Ask for Shadowing Opportunities. Shadowing a coworker is one of the easiest ways to learn about another role and even the tools of the trade. You can either learn how to lead, or how to use a program; the possibilities of learning from your coworkers is endless. All you need to take advantage is simply ask. You will need the permission of both the manager and the employee you want to shadow, yes, but in most cases, employers shouldn’t have a problem with you wanting to gain the experience to move up their corporate ladder.
- Take on More Responsibilities as They Come. There is a fine line between taking responsibilities for your career and being walked over. That line is drawn when you realize that the extra work you are putting in is not getting you anywhere. For the meantime, however, taking on more roles and responsibilities is just the ticket to show your dedication and ability. Follow this up by either negotiating for a raise or a promotion.
- Be Reliable. Being reliable is one of the best ways to get into everyone’s good books. Trying to take on a lot of responsibilities all at once, and then dropping them the week after won’t get you far. You need to be consistent in order to deserve the career advancement you are looking for.
- Remember to Ask for Pay Raises. All the extra work needs to pay off, and in many cases, employers won’t just give you what you are looking for. You need to ask for it and be prepared to negotiate. If you are taking on more responsibilities, then ask for a pay rise to match it. If you are doing an entirely different role, ask for a promotion.
- Diversify Your Field
It is very possible to hit a plateau with your career, but rather than accept said plateau as the proverbial ceiling, it’s time to find an alternate route to the top. The best way to do this is to diversify your field. The more you are capable of doing, the more valuable you will be as an employee. It will give you bargaining power if you wanted to negotiate for a raise, or it will help you get the job over your competition when it comes to new positions.
You do want to keep these new qualifications relevant to your dream career, however. Diversifying into health and safety when you work in a managerial position can help you be a better leader all around. From health and safety to risk management, there are many skills to develop by taking any of the 90+ ASSP seminars. This way, you can further your career in the right direction.
- Relearn Your Qualifications
Diversifying your field is great, but you have to be careful about the skills you pick up. Many health and safety certificates need to be renewed year after year to ensure you still know your stuff. That is why relearning and even expanding on what you know is just as important. Don’t try to spread yourself too thin, but work up from two or three pillars at first so that you can be a strong, unique employee. Keep your skills relevant and sharp so that you can not only be a critical team member but also reliable.
In some cases, keeping up to date with recertification will also be a legal requirement. You need to know what is expected of you and to be on top of the expiry dates so that you can continue to provide the best services. If these tests require a fee, always ask for your employer to sponsor you before you pay for it out of pocket. Chances are they have benefited from your advanced skill set, and therefore have a vested interest in seeing you remain qualified to use it.
Career development can occur both inside your workplace and outside of it. In some cases, the best way to further your success won’t even be what you expect. Rather than box yourself in with a single specification, expand. Managers, for example, can benefit significantly from having health and safety certifications. This way, they can help their employers by reducing both direct and associated costs that arise due to workplace injuries. This unexpected skillset is incredibly valuable, and if your employer doesn’t see it, then you can be sure to find another who does. Never sell yourself short or accept a stagnant reality. Better yourself every day, and you will succeed in your career and in your everyday life.
