Ways to Continue to Grow in Your Career During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every part of our lives, including our employment. Due to the recession, millions of people have been laid off, and many businesses have had to cut costs elsewhere, freezing salaries, promotions, and hiring, making competition for new possibilities fierce—when they exist at all. Regardless of your situation, you may feel as if your professional development has come to a halt.
Career advancement may not usually imply a promotion or a new position. It also entails learning new skills, obtaining new experiences, and expanding and strengthening your professional network. Despite the current economic downturn, these professional development possibilities still exist and can help you position yourself for a future raise, promotion, new job, or other chances if they become available. During the COVID-19 pandemic, here are some professional development strategies:
1. Determine how you want to grow, then stay focused on that goal.
Figuring out what you're working toward is the first step toward professional progress. Take some time to think about where you want your career to go. What are your plans for when the economy improves? Do you want to advance in your current position? Is a position with a different organization a better next step for you?
Before you make your next move, figure out what talents you'll need to build or strengthen, what types of experience you'll need to earn, and what connections you'll benefit from cultivating it. Keep these abilities and experiences in mind as you devise a strategy for maintaining your professional growth amid the current economic slump. Also, maintain your focus.
2. Make an appointment with your supervisor to talk about your career.
Set up a meeting with your manager to discuss your future and where they think you'll go within the firm if you're scared your career is stagnating.
Be upbeat during the chat, but make it clear what you want. You can ask for more responsibilities, discuss ways to improve, and get that promotion after the company's finances improve, or you can ask for opportunities to expand your skills if you've already discovered them. If you let your boss know what you're looking for, he or she will keep you in mind for future chances. This will also keep you and your boss on the same page about your objectives, and it will provide your manager the opportunity to provide you with feedback on what hard skills they want to see you grow and what soft skills they want to see you embody.
3. Be Creative and Pitch New Concepts
Be upbeat during the chat, but make it clear what you want. You can ask for more responsibilities, discuss ways to improve, and get that promotion after the company's finances improve, or you can ask for opportunities to expand your skills if you've already discovered them. If you let your boss know what you're looking for, he or she will keep you in mind for future chances. This will also keep you and your boss on the same page about your objectives, and it will give your manager the opportunity to provide you with feedback on what hard skills they want to see you grow and what essential skills they want to see you exemplify.
4. Expand and maintain your network.
In order to progress in your job, you must have excellent relationships with the people you work with. It can help you get that new project in another area or position you for a future promotion. Your coworkers may also know people who are hiring elsewhere or have information that will help you advance in your career.
Additionally, strengthen your bonds with the members of your team. Contact them and arrange for virtual hangouts outside of work hours. Finally, keep in mind to nurture all of your current and future office relationships.
5. Take Charge of Your Personal Development
If some of these suggestions seem overwhelming right now, or you don't feel like you have many other options for improvement, books, podcasts, and other media such as documentaries or even YouTube video series may be a good method to keep learning and growing.
Begin consuming content that will aid you in the development of specific skills and leadership abilities. If you're too busy, make a five-minute commitment to listen to a podcast that will help you grow every day. Small investments in oneself pile up over time.
It's easy to feel stuck if you can't meet the traditional criteria of career advancement. However, you should invest in your own professional growth now to position yourself for larger chances and new positions when the economy improves. So keep focused on your job objectives and do everything you can to advance your career now so you'll be ready for your next big move when the time comes. We can help you achieve the professional gains that you desire by visiting our job portals now.