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There comes a time in every professional’s life where you feel the need for more satisfaction in your working environment. You may have been in your current role for the past decade, you may know your job inside out and back to front and feel the need for a greater challenge, or you simply fancy doing something totally different with your time in the office. Whatever it is that is luring you to hunt for a new job, you need to make sure that you have the skills needed to find your perfect position.
Become Relevant
If you are one of those individuals that’s only ever worked for one company, and originally you saw yourself ending your many years of service with the same firm on your retirement day, you may not have paid much attention to the need of professional development. Lulled into a false sense of security you may have completed your duties efficiently and to the highest standard. However, when you look at your CV, you realise the last course you went on was over five years ago, and you haven’t read a journal article for twelve months. It’s time to get back on the path of professional learning even if it means forking out from your own pocket to learn some new industry-relevant skills or brush up on your communication, management or leadership prowess.
It’s All About The Computers
Venture into an office now, and the chances are you won’t see reams of ring binders and a dozen gunmetal grey filing cabinets like you did a few years ago. Everything is now stored online. Documentation such as invoices, contracts and letters can be downloaded from the online Microsoft 365 Business portal at the touch of a button. If this sounds largely new to you and you don’t know your CPU from your cisco, you need to hot foot it to an IT course. In the twenty-first century sound IT skills are vital and a must for anyone looking for their next position.
Prepare For Your Next Role
You may wish to take your next leap up the career ladder and strive for a promotion. For this, you’ll need to develop your management and leadership skills in a practical setting. It’s all very well and good having a piece of paper and a qualification but employers will be looking for hands-on experience. Try to volunteer in your current role to take on more responsibility including the opportunity to manage a small team. It’s vital that you can quantify your impact and detail how your leadership has benefitted your current company should you get to interview stage.
Having itchy feet within a position is nothing new, but very few people choose to act upon this impulse, instead choosing to stay put and not upset the status quo. However, by making the brave decision to move on and move forward in your career, you will achieve the financial rewards and professional satisfaction that you crave.
