8 Career Investments That Will Pay Off in the Future
Investing in your professional growth is one of the best things you’re able to do at all stages of your career. Spending time and money on yourself is easy to overlook when you’re busy. However, you can make changes to make your career investments a priority. Start with this list of career investments that will pay off in the future.
1. Self-Assessment and Discovery
Invest in knowing your strengths, skills, and passions. If you want to figure out the next steps in your career and avoid stagnation, you need to understand who you are. An article from theUniversity of Utahsays that knowing your strengths helps you identify career opportunities, stand out from other employees, and improve your overall quality of life.
There areonline strengths tests you can take to identify your strengths. One of these is the bestsellingCliftonStrengths, popularly known as Strengthsfinder when it first launched. CliftonStrengths uncovers your top themes, so you can use them to become happier and more productive at work.
You can also use7 Levels Deep, a free test, to identify what motivates you to take action. The test goes on for seven questions until you get to the root of your why. Try it, and you might be surprised by the results.
2. Continuous Learning
You need to become adaptable and learn new skills and knowledge if you want opportunities to open up for you. With more workplaces using new technology such as AI, it pays to invest in theindispensable skills you need to succeed at work.
Workers of all ages and career levels will benefit from self-paced online courses, additional certifications, and boot camps. Consider considering returning to school for a second or graduate degree. Alternatively, you can check if your company offers upskilling and scholarship programs for employees.
3. Professional Resume
Impress recruiters with a well-crafted resume.TopResume’s study of recruiters and job seekersshows that a professional resume gives you a competitive edge over other applicants. Recruiters say that candidates with professional resumes seem better able to deliver results. They’re also more confident in presenting these candidates to clients.
There are several ways to create a professional resume easily. You can hire the services of a resume writer, use thebest AI-powered resume builders to grab attention, or utilize thetop resume builder sitesto create your resume online. Don’t forget to check the finished product before passing it on to an employer.
4. Website Portfolio
Your website portfolio gives recruiters a more in-depth view of your skills, personality, and knowledge. While a resume should be short and straightforward, a website portfolio gives you space to describe your career history, key projects, and work process.
It’s unlikely that recruiters will spend much time navigating your website, so make it user-friendly and direct to the point. Ideally, you should strive to show who you are and what you can do on the first page. If you don’t have much time or money, you can usefree website creators to build a personal online portfolio without coding.
5. Work Equipment
Workplace equipment is one of your best investments if you’re working remotely or freelancing. Investing in equipment helps you work more efficiently, increasing your productivity. It’s also more motivating to work when you use well-built equipment that you bought with your hard-earned money.
Upgrading to ergonomic equipment is also a health investment. Poor equipment can lead to health concerns like back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Prolonged sitting can also lead to serious health risks. According toHarvard Health Publishing, the dangers of sitting include obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
6. Coaching and Mentoring
You can find a mentor or employ the services of a coach to help you achieve your career goals and improve as a professional. Learning doesn’t always take place in a physical or online classroom. You can also learn from someone who’s several steps ahead of you.
If you have a specific career goal, you will benefit from the services of a coach who can meet you regularly, help you create a career plan, and give you feedback about your performance. If you want to develop holistically as a professional, find a mentor at work or use thetop platforms to find a mentor.
7. Networking
Networking should be an ongoing process throughout your career. Even if you have a well-paying job now, it pays to continue putting yourself out there and investing in professional relationships. Networking helps other professionals know you, making it easier for you to look for future jobs and other opportunities like business partnerships.
There are different ways to look for networking opportunities. You can search networking websites like Eventbrite or Meetup. If you’re not a fan of big crowds, you can also schedule a one-on-one meeting online or meet for a cup of coffee.
8. Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is a skill that enables you to effectively work and interact with others who come from different cultural backgrounds. According to a cultural competenceresearch paper on NebGuide, migration and technology have made the world more diverse and globalized. Thus, learning how to work well with others has also become increasingly important.
Cultural competence can be learned. First, build your active listening skills. When talking to others, concentrate on what is being said and ask more questions rather than giving solutions. It also helps to practice empathy, learn about other cultures, be aware of current events, and check yourself for bias and prejudice. You’ll be able to engage others and improve your workplace relationships with practice.
Invest in Your Career Growth
Investing in your career should be a priority item in your schedule and budget. Employers can fire you, and companies can shut you down. However, nobody can take away the career investment you made in yourself. The skills, knowledge, and relationships you built will continue to serve you in your next season.
Whatever happens in your career is not beyond your control. You have a say in the kind of professional you become and how employers and peers perceive you. If you want to stay prepared for the future, invest in yourself and overcome career stagnation.
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