Did you know that over 75% of people feel stuck in both their personal and professional lives? Stagnating is never fun, and while a routine can feel nice at first, that can quickly get boring too.
Whether your current job isn’t the right fit or you want to climb the corporate ladder, it’s always good to challenge yourself. Not only will you find a more rewarding career, but you’ll also earn more money.
Are you now wondering how you can do both? Then read on to find out more.
Keep Learning
The more knowledge and skills you have, the more you’ll understand your field. It’ll make you more attractive to employers, too, meaning there’s better pay and opportunities for you. This is especially helpful in a competitive country like Malaysia.
You can attend seminars, take courses, or get certifications to improve your resume. Or, if you want to really excel, you can get an MBA in Malaysia on top of your bachelor’s degree. An MBA will put you miles above other employees and make you an invaluable worker.
The added benefit is that you’ll keep stimulating your mind. This will keep boredom at bay, as you’ll discover new things about your industry that you never knew before.
Develop More Skills
On that note, you should develop more skills too. Some of the above suggestions only give you more knowledge, and not always more hands-on experience. So you can take matters into your own hands.
For example, you can read books or online tutorials if you’re a programmer. Then, you can put that new knowledge into play by creating software in an innovative way.
Thinking outside the box can keep you on your toes and also impress employers. It shows that you’re not willing to accept the status quo and will strive to improve things continuously. You’ll definitely be rewarded!
Look for Mentors
An excellent way to advance your career is to find mentors. These are people who have been in the industry for longer than you have and have unlocked the secrets to your career.
Your mentors can offer guidance and support when you feel lost at your job. They can give you a personal insight into how they handled similar difficult situations.
They can also point you in the right direction if you’re not sure you should stay with a company or find a new employer.
More importantly, your mentors will be well-established in your field, so they’ll have fantastic connections. It’ll be quicker to get your foot in the door since these people trust your mentors.
Do Some Networking
Outside of your mentors’ connections, you should do some networking on your own. You might strike up great relationships with like-minded people. And they don’t necessarily have to be your competition, either.
Often, you’ll find professionals in similar and complementary fields, and you can help one another out.
For instance, if you’re a programmer and you’ve networked with a SaaS marketer, the two of you can watch out for opportunities where you can work alongside one another. You can also monitor industry trends and inform each other about where the SaaS market will go.
Set Goals and Create a Plan
How can you truly advance your career if you’re not sure what your goals are? Most of the time, workers have a vague goal of climbing the ranks and getting raises every once in a while.
Say goodbye to this muddiness and hello to clarity. Take some time to really think about what career goals you want to achieve. When you have this written down concretely, it’ll be easier to stay focused and motivated.
In addition to setting your goals, you should create a step-by-step plan too. Again, this will help you stay focused on the bigger picture.
Consider New Opportunities
We’re not just talking about direct advancements for your current job. We’re talking about taking risks and going outside of your comfort zone.
For example, you might feel at home solely writing blog posts as a content writer. But you’ll never get far if that’s all you limit yourself to.
A job posting for a content manager position might come up, and you might feel like it’s out of your depth. However, you’ll never know until you give it a try, so why not apply? You never know if you’ll actually get the position! This can lead to a highly satisfying job that’ll pay well too.
This applies to other opportunities that are outside of your experience or even industry. If you find careers that appeal to you, then they might be worth pivoting to.
Negotiate Your Salary
Have you been at your company for years now but have only gotten one measly raise so far? Then chances are, your employer’s taking advantage of you.
To be sure, research industry standards, then take your experience and qualifications into consideration. Also, have you gone above and beyond for a project or two? Then keep those in mind too.
When you approach your employer to negotiate your salary, be prepared with all this information. If they don’t value you as a worker, then it might be time to look elsewhere for employment. And you never know if your current workplace will automatically raise your salary if you say you’re considering leaving!
Be Proactive
Negotiating your salary is just one way to be proactive. You can also take charge and create new groups and initiatives. Or, if you think some processes could be streamlined and optimized, make your voice heard. You can even head the project if it’s in your area of expertise.
Employers always appreciate workers who are invested in the business. If you can show that you contribute and are of value, then promotions will automatically follow.
Go Far in Your Business Life
Feeling apathetic and unhappy at work is no good; this is a setting where you spend lots of your waking hours. And if your pay isn’t great, then that only adds insult to injury.
It’s time to do something about your situation, and with our tips, you can. You’re an outstanding employee, and your employer should recognize that.
