By Gloria Martinez
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person spends 8.8 hours a day at work. This can amount to almost one-third of your life. If you are going to spend so long working, your career should be enjoyable and rewarding.
For women, this can be difficult to achieve. As well as deep-rooted inequality, research shows that women are often managed differently to men, further limiting their career progression. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, dreaming of a career change, or planning on starting your own business, there are a few simple steps that you can take to help you get the career you deserve.
Improve Your Value
Many experts, such as Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, vice president and managing director of Apollo Research Institute, recommend setting out a five-year plan. Asking your supervisor for an evaluation will help you to set out this plan. It can also help you become a better employee. Discuss with your supervisor options such as job shadowing, further study to improve your qualifications, or volunteering. Don’t be afraid of making what you perceive to be a lateral move. It may not be a promotion, but it is a way of expanding your skill set and your resume.
Away from work, spend time building business relationships. Social media makes communicating with other people in your industry easy. Build on your networking by attending forums and events, turning digital connections into physical links.
Know Your Worth
One of the main differences between men and women is that men aren’t afraid to ask for a promotion. Lee E. Miller, managing director of NegotiationPLus.com, observed that “the one who usually gets the promotion is the one who wants it most and asks for it.”
Don’t be afraid to ask for a promotion or a raise. If you’re turned down, remember your hard work has also made you an attractive potential employee to other companies; now that you have built up a professional contact network, you know who to ask.
Making the Move
Being an employee isn’t for everyone. If you are aiming to change career paths or start your own business, try taking on contract or freelance work first. This can be a great way of building your portfolio and opening up new career opportunities. Moonlighting also helps build up a regular income away from your main job so that when you do make the next big step, it’s not a complete plunge into the darkness.
A successful business is one that provides great and reliable customer service. If you want to compete, you need to be just as good — if not better — than the competition. A website will allow you to access potential customers all over the world. You will also need a company to host it. SiteGround is one of the most reliable and easy to use. In addition to cloud and WordPress hosting, SiteGround provides top-notch servers (shared, VPS, or dedicated). This flexibility extends to their affordable packages, meaning that you will be able to find something that perfectly suits you and your business’ needs and budget.
You should also be aware of your competition. Don’t be afraid to learn from other people. If you are able to learn from the mistakes of others, it’ll save you time and money. Being flexible and organized will also help your business grow by leaps and bounds. Keeping detailed records will tell you how well your business is doing. Additionally, it will also help you identify and solve potential problems before they grow into major difficulties.
A successful and enjoyable career doesn’t just happen. To reach your full potential, you’ll need to take matters into your own hands. Remember, the more attractive a proposition you are, the more ready you’ll be to make the most of your career. If you are happy and fulfilled in your career, your quality of life will also improve. Sign up for a Discovery Session https://mindset-for-success.org/product/individual-business-coaching/
Image via Pixabay
