Career Success in 2023
With 2022 firmly behind us, the new year provides new opportunities to see career success in 2023. As I reflect over last year with all its highs and lows, there were definite career plans that led me to career success. In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learnt from last year and my top career plans for achieving career success in 2023.
Be prepared to learn from my aha moments that moved the needle and made a difference in my career.
Plan Your Career for Success in 2023
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. We all need to plan for success because success in any arena doesn’t just happen. You may not know all the details, but you should have a plan for where you are going, what you want to achieve, how you will accomplish this and when. Remember, without vision, a people peril. I created a career planner and workbook which details the questions you need to ask yourself when career planning, you can check it out here.
Future Proof your Career Skills in 2023
At the beginning of my career, I wish I had spent more time developing skills across industries rather than focusing on specific skills needed for a particular job. I encourage anyone not to get stuck in one career path. The question is not what you want to be but who you want to be and how you want your work to show up in the world. Think about the type of work that fills you with energy and how to build core skills that transfer across industries. Or ask about the skills and industries of the future and what skills you need to develop now. Because if you focus on future-proofing your skills, you will be able to find a job in almost any industry. And if you can get ahead of the curve, you will always be in demand.
Focus On Your Money Messaging
It took me too long to understand how negative ideas around money affected my career and kept me underpaid! When it comes to being underpaid, ignorance is not bliss. Remaining ignorant and over-trusting of an employer is causing millions of workers to lose out. Some of the biggest reasons employees are underpaid is their failure to ask for more money. The longer you allow yourself to be underpaid, the wider the gap between you and your better-paid peers grows, as other employees can earn more for the same work. Therefore, you must research your earnings across your profession and arm yourself with information. It is important to avoid making assumptions about your pay, be bold and ask for more money.
Not thinking enough about pay keeps so many workers underpaid. If you are worried, you may be underpaid and want more information. I wrote a detailed blog post about this; check it out here.
Beat Boredom At Work
If you are constantly experiencing boredom at work, ask yourself if your organisation is one you want to stay working for. If the answer is no, you should plan your exit strategy and do so quickly.
However, if the answer is yes, then the question is how I can step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. Beating boredom at work is about being proactive and finding new ways to create change and excitement. You can connect your strengths and passions to resolve work-based problems. Look at what is missing within your organisation and find ways to help your organisation address its needs. It can start as a small project and grow with time. The most important thing is that being proactive will create a sense of newness, excitement, and responsibility. It will allow you to refocus your strengths and grow your skills.
If finding ways to solve workplace problems is not possible within your role, consider going for promotions or a secondment position. You could also develop new skills to work in other parts of the organisation, which may include changing roles completely. Have a look at this youtube video by Whitney Johnson who explains the theory of the S Curve beautifully. If you are feeling bored at work watch this.
Keep An Eye On Time in 2023
Time is one of the most important resources because there is a limit to the amount of time available, and we are not in control of time. Time is the one resource I refuse to waste as I mature in my career. Therefore, I will not stay in a job that no longer serves me or does not add value to my life. Suppose you are in a situation where you need to stay in a particular job for whatever reason. Then be intentional about what you need to do to get the most out of your current position or start planning your next move. The worst thing you can do is stay stuck in a job you hate and are no longer growing in while you watch precious time escape.
Ace Job Interviews in 2023
This may sound counterintuitive, but you are not the focus of a job interview. The job opportunity and the organisation’s needs are the focus of the job interview.
The key to securing your next job is demonstrating how you will deliver on the needs of this role. During an interview, focus on what most interests the interviewer, highlighting how you will help your employer meet their goals and maximise the return on their investment. Let your employer know what you intend to do, the difference you intend to make in this role, how you will succeed and meet their business goals, etc. Discuss the value you would bring to a position by leveraging your work history and past accomplishments. Also, by including how you will add value, click here to see how I can help you successfully navigate job interviews.
Become An Active Employee
Most people are passive and not active employees. Most employees need to take full responsibility for their careers. For example, what if you changed how you viewed yourself? What if you saw yourself as business-minded while at work? What if you challenged yourself to only work within roles with clear opportunities for a promotion? Then create a detailed two to three-year plan on how you intend to progress through an organisation. What would your career look like if this were you? Often the problem is not the job but our thinking. This is a mindset I’ve learned to develop over the years.
How To Handle a Bad Manager
A lousy manager refuses or is unable to see the problems around them. Issues that are either caused by organisational structures or by poor leadership. Therefore instead of addressing problems, they ignore and deflect problems resulting in issues never being addressed. Bad managers take good teams and create chaos. Or worse, take good employees and turn them into cynical and poor-performing employees. Bad managers are bad news for everyone. If you are working with a lousy manager, aim to achieve an agreement with your manager by focusing on agreed actions and outcomes you both would like to see. Focus on how you both can create an environment for success. The key is not to let a bad manager derail you from achieving your career goals. Learn how to work around or away from bad managers.
What You Should Read in 2023
The older I get, the more I realise that there is still so much to learn, so I don’t get too fussy about finding the perfect book, but instead, I enjoy engaging my mind in learning. How you think shapes how you understand and see the world around you. Knowledge is power because you cannot change or achieve something if you do not know it. This is why reading is so important. It opens up your mind to new ideas and ways of doing things. But it’s not just about reading. Access to books that grow your mind is crucial to getting ahead in your career. And I’ve been amazed by the impact of this on my learning. If you are serious about progressing in your career, consider reading often and widely. Here is a list of some of my favourite books; I credit these books to who I am today.
Run Your Own Race
It’s very tempting to compare yourself to others, especially when we are bombarded with images of all the success others seem to have. But the truth is that life, like your career, is a marathon; we are in it for the long game. Focus on the path that will get you to the desired outcome and run your race.
Focus on Your CV/Resume
Take advantage of job opportunities because you have optimised your CV/Resume. I look at CVs/Resumes for a living, and it’s unfortunate how many people miss out on job opportunities because of simple resume mistakes. You don’t need to guess your way through updating your resume; help is here.
Summary
That’s it; those are some of my biggest takeaways for 2022. Which ones resonated with you? What would you love to implement in 2023, and what career changes are you hoping to make?
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @IamEuniceAsante
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