Professional growth and development play integral parts in any professional’s career. They enable people to develop new skills, advance their qualifications, and become better employees. However, growth is in the hands of each individual and it is up to them how far they go. Not everybody wants to climb a professional ladder, and that’s okay! Below we’ve provided a few tips and tricks for those that do!

Skills inventory. The best way to move forward usually is to recognize where you are now. Step back and take inventory of the skills you currently possess as well as the ones that could use some fine-tuning. Identify the areas that you could improve upon and take the necessary steps to do so! The goal is to learn something new every day!

Establish your professional network. You’d be surprised just how invigorating sitting down with a colleague or professional in your field can be. Taking the opportunity to bounce ideas off one another, and dive into a career discussion can be extremely rewarding. It’s also a great way to keep your network fresh, which could lead to new opportunities and greater development.

Read a book. Some things never change. Books have been a source of information for over 1000 years and with good reason. If you’re looking to learn more about a topic within your career, there’s almost certainly a book out there for it! Doing some quick research online can steer you toward great books within your field. Reading is proven to give your brain “a good workout” and improve your memory function.

Take an online course. Colleges, companies, and corporations all offer online courses now. It’s a great way to learn more, and in some cases, get certification on a specific product or platform. There is a wide variety in terms of price, so you can pay as much or as little as you want. Taking a course takes accountability out of your hands, so you won’t lose track if you try to follow course material on your own. A course is set up, so you meet deadlines, and it’s guaranteed that you’ll learn something new!

Try something new. Try doing something different, working in a new way, or learning about something new. Taking a different approach can make a big difference. It’s easy for your work to get stale if you do it the same day in and day out over time. Keep it fresh by continuing to broaden your horizons. A fresh perspective on things can make a world of difference.

Utilize available media. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – if you’re not using LinkedIn, go sign up now. It is a completely free, professional platform where you can connect with individuals in your industry. In the event of a job search, you can find open jobs for companies in your area and beyond, and, if nothing else, you can remain active within your industry on new trends and alerts.

Focus on personal development. You cannot expect to be motivated inside of work if you’re not motivated outside of work. Developing yourself personally will encourage you to carry the same attitude to work. Find something you enjoy doing (i.e., working out, cooking, de-cluttering your home) and you will see the results transfer to your job as well.

Feeling stuck in your routine is inevitable if you never challenge yourself. Give one of our tips a shot and you may be surprised with the results.

For further assistance in your job search or your search for qualified candidates, please call (518) 275-4816.