Career Growth: What It Is & How to skyrocket your career

Are you looking to take your career to the next level? Do you want to achieve higher levels of responsibility, increase your knowledge and skills, and earn promotions or raises? If so, you’re not alone. Many professionals strive for career growth, and it’s an important goal for anyone looking to advance in their field.

But what is career growth, and how can you achieve it? Simply put, career growth refers to the progression and development of an individual’s career over time. It involves taking on new challenges, learning new skills, and working towards specific goals.

While the path to career growth may look different for everyone, there are certain steps that can help you skyrocket your career. These include setting clear goals, developing your skills, networking and building relationships, taking initiative, and being open to new opportunities.

In this blog, we’ll explore each of these steps in detail, and provide tips and strategies for achieving career growth. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to make a mid-career change, these tips can help you take control of your professional development and achieve your goals.

What is career development for you?

Career development is the process of improving your skills, knowledge, and experience in order to advance in your career. It involves setting goals, learning new things, and taking on new challenges in order to achieve success and progress in your profession.

For some people, career development may involve working towards a specific job title or level of responsibility, such as becoming a manager or a team leader. Others may focus on building expertise in a particular area, such as by becoming a subject matter expert or earning a certification. Still others may simply want to gain a broad range of skills and experience that can help them be more competitive in the job market.

Whatever your specific career goals may be, it’s important to take an active approach to career development. This means seeking out learning and development opportunities, setting clear goals and working towards them, and being proactive about building your skills and experience.

There are many different ways you can pursue career development, including taking courses or training programs, attending workshops or conferences, seeking out new projects or responsibilities at work, or even switching jobs or industries if it aligns with your goals.

Ultimately, career development is about taking control of your professional development and working towards the career you want. By setting clear goals and taking an active approach to learning and development, you can build the skills and experience you need to achieve your career aspirations.

Identify what you are good at & what you love doing

Identifying what you are good at and what you love doing is an important step in achieving career growth. By focusing on your strengths and passions, you can set goals that are aligned with your skills and interests, and work towards a career that is fulfilling and satisfying.

Here are some tips for identifying what you are good at and what you love doing:

• Reflect on your past experiences: Think about the tasks and projects you have enjoyed in the past, and consider what skills and abilities you have used to excel at them. This can give you a good sense of what you are naturally good at and what you find enjoyable.
• Consider your values and priorities: What is important to you in your work and career? Do you value creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, or something else? Identifying your values and priorities can help you focus on careers that align with what matters most to you.
• Seek feedback from others: Ask your coworkers, friends, and family for their perspective on your strengths and areas of expertise. Their feedback can help you get a more rounded view of your skills and abilities.
• Explore new things: Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore different career paths. You may discover new skills and interests that you didn’t know you had.
• Take a strengths assessment: There are various tools and assessments available that can help you identify your strengths and areas of expertise. These can be a helpful way to gain insight into what you are naturally good at and what you enjoy doing.

By taking the time to identify your strengths and passions, you can set career goals that are aligned with your skills and interests and work towards a career that is fulfilling and satisfying.

Take your Personal interest, apply a Growth mindset, develop a learning plan and take action. For example, let’s say you love working with data and have a strong interest in analytics. To develop your career in this area, you might first look for opportunities to gain more experience working with data and analyzing metrics, perhaps by taking a course or joining a team project at work.

You might also explore different career paths related to analytics, such as data science or business intelligence, and learn about the skills and qualifications required for these roles.

Set clear goals

Setting clear goals is an important step in achieving career and professional growth. By having a clear sense of what you want to achieve, you can focus your efforts and work towards specific milestones that will help you advance in your career.

Here are some tips for setting clear goals:

• Be specific: Rather than setting vague goals like “get a promotion,” be specific about what you want to achieve. For example, “become a team leader of XYZ team within the next two years” is a more specific and actionable goal.
• Make them measurable: It’s important to be able to track your progress towards your goals. Make sure your goals are measurable, so you can see how far you’ve come and what you still need to do to achieve them.
• Make them achievable: While it’s important to challenge yourself, you should also set goals that are realistic and achievable. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disappointment.
• Make them relevant: Make sure your goals are aligned with your overall career goals and what you want to achieve in your profession.
• Make them time-bound: Set a timeline for when you want to achieve your goals. This can help you stay focused and motivated and ensure you are making progress towards your objectives.

By setting clear, specific, and achievable goals, you can work towards the career you want and achieve the success you are striving for.

Develop your skills

Developing your skills is an important step in achieving career growth. By continuously learning and improving your abilities, you can become more valuable to your employer, be more competitive in the job market, and work towards your professional goals.

Here are some tips for developing your skills:

• Identify your skills gap: Take a look at your current skills and the skills that are required for your desired career path. Identify any gaps and focus on developing those skills.
• Take advantage of learning opportunities: Look for ways to improve your skills, whether it’s through formal education, training programs, or on-the-job experience. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself and your career development.
• Seek out new challenges: Take on new projects or responsibilities at work that will help you build new skills and experience. This can be a great way to learn and grow in your career.
• Network and seek out mentors: Building relationships with people who have expertise in areas you want to develop can be a great way to learn and grow. Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support as you work to develop your skills.
• Practice and apply your skills: It’s not enough just to learn new skills. Make sure you are putting them into practice and applying them in your work. This will help you build confidence and demonstrate your abilities to others.

By continuously developing your skills, you can become more valuable to your employer, be more competitive in the job market, and work towards your professional goals.

How to identify Career Growth opportunities & taking control of your own career growth

Identifying career growth opportunities and taking control of your own career paths are important steps in advancing your career. By being proactive and seeking out new opportunities, you can work towards your goals and achieve the success you are striving for.

Here are some tips for identifying career growth opportunities and taking control of your own career growth:

• Network and build relationships: Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and make an effort to get to know people in your field. Building relationships can open up new opportunities and help you learn about potential job openings or advancement opportunities.
• Seek out new challenges: Look for ways to take on new projects or responsibilities at work that will help you build new skills and experience. This can be a great way to learn and grow in your career.
• Be proactive and take initiative: Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Look for ways to take on new projects or responsibilities at work, and don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your ideas and suggestions.
• Be open to new opportunities: Be open to taking on new roles or moving to different companies if it aligns with your career goals. Sometimes, making a change can be the catalyst for significant career growth.
• Set clear goals and create a plan: Determine what you want to achieve in your career and create a plan to achieve those goals. This could include specific job titles, skills you want to develop, or specific responsibilities you want to take on.

By being proactive and seeking out new opportunities, you can take control of your own career growth and work towards achieving your professional goals.

Network and build relationships

Networking and building relationships are important steps in achieving career growth. By building connections with coworkers, industry professionals, and mentors, you can open up new opportunities and learn from experienced professionals in your field.

Here are some tips for networking and building relationships:

Attend industry events

Industry events, conferences, and trade shows are great opportunities to meet people in your field and build relationships.

Join professional organizations

Professional organizations offer a range of networking opportunities, including events, meetings, and online communities.

Get to know your coworkers

Don’t underestimate the value of building relationships with your coworkers. They can be a great source of support, advice, and potential opportunities.

Seek out mentors

Having a mentor can be a valuable resource as you work to advance your career. Look for someone who has experience in your field and who can offer guidance and support as you develop your skills and experience.

Follow up

After making a connection, be sure to follow up and stay in touch. This can help you build relationships that last over time and can lead to future opportunities.

By building relationships and networking, you can open up new opportunities and learn from experienced professionals in your field. This can be a valuable resource as you work to advance your career.

Be proactive and take initiative

Being proactive and taking initiative are important steps in achieving career growth. By being proactive, you can take control of your own career development and look for opportunities to advance.

Here are some tips for being proactive and taking initiative:

Seek out new challenges

Look for ways to take on new projects or responsibilities at work that will help you build new skills and experience. This can be a great way to learn and grow in your career.

Offer your ideas and suggestions

Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas and suggestions with your boss or coworkers. This can help you demonstrate your value and potential to others.

Take on additional responsibilities

If you see an opportunity to take on additional responsibilities at work, don’t be afraid to volunteer. This can be a great way to show your dedication and commitment to your job and can lead to future opportunities.

Be proactive about your own development

Don’t wait for your employer to provide learning and development opportunities. Take control of your own development and seek out ways to improve your skills and experience.

By being proactive and taking initiative, you can take control of your own career development and work towards achieving your professional goals.

Be open to new opportunities

Being open to new opportunities is an important step in achieving career growth. By being willing to take on new roles or move to different companies, you can open up new opportunities for growth and advancement. You can use a platform like Jooble to find great opportunities in your field of work.

Here are some tips for being open to new opportunities:

• Keep an open mind: Don’t limit yourself to just one career path or job title. Be open to exploring different opportunities and consider roles or industries that may be outside your comfort zone.
• Be willing to make a change: Sometimes, making a change can be the catalyst for significant career growth. Don’t be afraid to take on a new role or move to a different company if it aligns with your career goals.
• Consider a change in location: Moving to a different city or region can open up new opportunities for career growth. Be open to exploring different locations and consider the potential benefits of a change.
• Network and build relationships: Building relationships with industry professionals and keeping an eye out for new opportunities can help you stay informed about potential job openings or advancement opportunities.

By being open to new opportunities, you can open up new avenues for career growth and advancement. Don’t be afraid to take risks and consider different options as you work towards your professional goals.

Managers: Focus on employee career growth

As a manager, focusing on employee career growth can be a key part of your role. By helping your team members develop their skills and experience, you can create a positive work environment, improve employee satisfaction and improve retention and productivity.

Here are some tips for focusing on employee career growth:

• Set clear expectations and goals: Help your team members set clear goals and expectations for their career development. This can help them stay focused and motivated and ensure they are making progress towards their objectives.
• Provide learning and development opportunities: Encourage your team members to take advantage of learning and development opportunities and offer support when needed. This can help them build their skills and experience and prepare for new challenges.
• Offer feedback and support: Provide regular feedback and support to your team members as they work to develop their skills and experience. This can help them stay on track and stay motivated.
• Encourage networking and building relationships: Encourage your team members to network and build relationships with industry professionals and mentors. These relationships can provide valuable guidance and support as they work towards their career goals.

By focusing on employee career growth, you can create a positive work environment and improve retention and productivity. This can be a key part of your role as a manager and can help your team members achieve success in their careers.

As a manager, it is important to focus on employee career growth to ensure long-term success and productivity within the workplace. Along with setting clear expectations and goals, managers can provide learning and development opportunities for their team members. This could include attending workshops and seminars, taking online courses, shadowing experienced colleagues, or even participating in industry conferences.

Some tips for managing employee career growth include setting clear expectations and goals, providing learning and development opportunities, offering feedback and support, and encouraging networking and building relationships. Managers should also talk with their employees about their career development plan and work to understand their specific career growth goals.

Conclusion

Understanding what career growth to you is key to achieving your professional goals. Whether you are looking for opportunities to develop new skills, explore a new location, build relationships with industry professionals, or focus on other aspects of your career development, it is important to be proactive and take steps towards achieving your goals.

By being open to new opportunities, networking actively, and tapping into your existing resources and support network, you can set yourself up for success in your career. Good luck!

More from the author on RTE, Agile coach, Scrum Master / Product Owner / Why you need a Career Coach / Managing Managers / IT Career switch. Ilam also is a keen AI enthusiast & writes about popular AI tools like Jasper, Writecream etc.

Author also writes on Medium