How to Boost Your Career Skills

Gaining experience is necessary for career development and can be done in various ways WITHOUT pursuing another degree. . . . Here are a few ways I have gained experience throughout my career: 👉🏾 Internships offer hands-on experience in a specific field or industry. They provide an opportunity for practical application, learning from professionals, and building your network. 👉🏾 Volunteering allows you to contribute your skills and time to meaningful causes while gaining valuable experience. Seek out volunteer opportunities in organizations or projects aligned with your career goals. This can help you develop new skills, expand your network, and demonstrate your dedication and commitment to potential employers. 👉🏾 Joining professional associations and attending industry-related events, conferences, and workshops. Participating in these events can provide opportunities to learn from experts, gain insights into industry trends, and potentially find mentors or job opportunities. 👉🏾 Completing relevant courses and obtaining certifications can enhance your knowledge and skills in specific areas and can demonstrate your commitment to learning and staying updated in your field. 👉🏾 Consider starting a side business or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in line with your interests or skills. This allows you to gain firsthand experience in various aspects of business and it also showcases your initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. 👉🏾 Seek opportunities within your current workplace to collaborate on cross-functional projects or request a job rotation. Participating in different projects or roles exposes you to different aspects of the business and allows you to broaden your skill set and knowledge. 👉🏾 Identify professionals in your field who can serve as mentors or arrange shadowing experiences. Mentors can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career path. Shadowing allows you to observe and learn from professionals in action, gaining insights into their skills, decision-making processes, and industry dynamics. Remember, gaining experience is a continuous process, and it's important to actively seek opportunities, demonstrate initiative, and make the most of the resources available to you. By taking proactive steps to gain experience, you can strengthen your skill set, expand your network, and position yourself for career growth. ✨

Hey there, it’s me, your coach Nina, how are you today? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the exciting but vast possibilities in your career? Society, your parents, friends, strangers on social media, and even your own expectations have all been suggesting paths you “should” take professionally. If you're intellectually curious and enjoy learning, you likely have a strong drive to grow already. You might already have some ideas about where you want to go and how to get there. However, with endless possibilities and only 24 hours in a day, it's important to have a focused and sustainable approach to your career development, one that prevents overwhelm and burnout. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ List out your career goals: What do you really want in your career? Is it money, title, creative freedom, influence, fame, or making an impact? In my early career I wanted to get promoted because the society says so, but after a few years I started to optimize for learning new experiences (hence jumping from corporate to startup to stand up a new team.) 2️⃣ Figure out your why: understand why you want to achieve something adds meaning and boosts motivation. Are you aiming for FIRE (financial independence to retire early), seeking respect as a manager, or craving intellectual exploration? 3️⃣ Define success: know your destination helps you figure out what resources or skills you need to get there. For instance, aspiring to be a people manager might require learning how to inspire others. 4️⃣ Identify the resources you need: Just like planning a trip, you need to know what to pack for your career journey. Determine the skills or knowledge necessary for your dream role. 5️⃣ Choose how to learn: Different people prefer different learning methods—reading, visual cues, podcasts, or hands-on experience. Find what works best for you and experiment if you're unsure. 6️⃣ Practice: Apply your new skills whenever possible. Shadow others, volunteer for projects, and actively develop the competencies you need. 7️⃣ Reflect regularly: Set a monthly reminder to assess your progress and adjust your strategies if needed. 8️⃣ Seek accountability: Remember the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Find a mentor, friend, or a coach friend to support and hold you accountable. What strategies have you used or would you recommend to feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in your career growth? #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #midcareer

Angling for that next promotion? Most of the high achievers I coach over-index on solo strategies to get ahead: taking all the classes, accepting every assignment, working crazy hours to prove their dedication. That stuff can be helpful, but what they typically deprioritize (or avoid like the plague) is the interpersonal piece of the puzzle: building relationships and communication channels for mutual support and growth. Here are some often-neglected interpersonal approaches to lay the foundation for your next role: -Proactively seek feedback: Request input from your superiors and incorporate feedback to enhance your performance. Most people don’t know how to give effective feedback, so be specific about what you’re seeking and make it easy for them to give it to you. -Keep people in the loop: Clearly articulate your ideas, share progress updates, and communicate your achievements. While you may feel your accomplishments should speak for themselves, most people are too busy to be paying much attention. Expect to have to champion your results to get them on others’ radar. -Build a strong network: Cultivate relationships across the board, be it peer-to-peer, superiors, and industry influencers, to expand your opportunities. This isn’t sleazy schmoozing; seek to show up authentically, add value, and prepare to invest in these relationships for the sake of the relationships themselves. Any professional growth that might result is just the cherry on top. -Invite a mentor: Find someone who can provide guidance and support and advocate for your professional growth - then explicitly invite them to mentor you. Trying to go it alone is an overused and limiting strategy for many high achieving ICs, and a lot of folks point to a “mentor” who doesn’t even know they’ve been designated as such. TLDR: By seeking feedback, communicating effectively, building a strong network, and seeking mentorship, you’ll build a strong foundation for growth ahead (and probably make some great new friends along the way.) #leadership #growth #learning #development #relationships #peopleskills #coaching

Getting laid off sucks.. But it doesn’t define you nor does it need to dictate your next steps. I experienced an economic layoff a year ago and I decided to take career pivot and growth steps to push forward. 1️⃣ Assess and Enhance Your Skills: Take the time to assess your current skill set and identify areas for improvement or expansion. Research the skills that are in high demand in your industry or desired field. Invest in professional development opportunities such as online courses, certifications, workshops, or industry-specific training programs to acquire those skills. By actively enhancing your skill set, you become more competitive and increase your career prospects after a layoff. 2️⃣ Leverage Your Network and Seek Mentors: Tap into your professional network to seek advice, connections, and potential job opportunities. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, industry contacts, and alumni networks. Let them know about your situation and career goals. Networking can provide valuable insights, open doors to hidden job opportunities, and offer guidance in navigating the job market. Additionally, consider finding a mentor who can provide guidance and support as you rebuild your career. 3️⃣ Rebrand and Tailor Your Job Search Materials: Update your resume, cover letter, and online professional profiles to reflect your most recent experiences and accomplishments. Highlight transferable skills gained from previous roles and demonstrate how they align with the requirements of your target positions. Tailor your job search materials to showcase your resilience, growth mindset, and adaptability, emphasizing how your past experiences have shaped you into a stronger candidate. Craft a compelling personal brand that stands out to potential employers. 4️⃣ Explore New Opportunities and Industries: Consider expanding your horizons and exploring new industries or professions that align with your interests and skills. Look for emerging industries or sectors experiencing growth that offer exciting career prospects. Research the trends, job market demand, and potential pathways for career advancement. Be open to taking on new challenges, roles, or responsibilities that can broaden your experience and accelerate your career growth. Flexibility and a willingness to adapt can lead to unexpected opportunities and new avenues for success. Remember, recovering from a layoff takes time and effort. Stay positive, remain resilient, and focus on continuous growth. By actively assessing and enhancing your skills, leveraging your network, tailoring your job search materials, and exploring new opportunities, you can boost your career growth and position yourself for success. #CareerGrowth #SkillEnhancement #Networking #PersonalBranding #career #customersuccess