5 Strategies For Building A Great Career This Year

By Perminus Wainaina  

What is a great career to you? What do you term as a successful career in your field?

Irrespective of the career you’re in, you’re trying to scale the heights and be a success in your career.

But, why exactly are you trying to be great? What are some of the benefits associated with a great and successful career?

• Recognition – in any field, there are those professionals that are easily recognized by people within and outside the field. When you’re a success in your career, you’ll be easily recognizable.
• Earning a higher pay – another benefit that comes with a great career is higher pay. Depending on the field you’re in, you could also receive bonuses and allowances.
• Being top of your field – in every profession, there are those are regarded as the top. When you excel in your career, you’ll also get to be to of your field.
• You’ll become an expert – every industry has got its own experts that help shape the future. These experts are also queried about their opinions and input.
• You’ll be in demand – a key benefit of being a success in your career is you’ll always be in demand. Companies will fight over to have and retain you.

With such benefits, it’s no wonder everyone is trying to be the greatest in their field.

How then, do you ensure you are successful in your career? How do you become a great accountant, teacher, or designer? Here are a few tips that will get you to the top of your field.

1. Get a mentor/coach

Do you want to be the CEO of a company one day? Do you want to run your own business?

The best way to start is by getting a mentor. A mentor will help align your career aspirations and guide you on the path.

Some professionals start out on their own. This can be equated to going on a trip to an unknown place, and not taking a guide with you.

When you want to go to a place you’ve never traveled, you should first get someone who has been there, and let them guide you on what you should do, what to bring along, and generally what to expect along the journey.

To be successful in your career, get a mentor who has gone before you and knows what to expect.

2. Set your goals

To succeed in your career, you have to search yourself. Look at some of your biggest fears, passion, and goals.

To set your goals, look deep within yourself. What is it you want to achieve? What will make you feel accomplished? Where does your passion lie?

Once you have answered these questions, you’ll be able to set your goals. However, ensure the goals are rational.

For example, if you’re a communications person, it beats logic to set your goals such as being the best surgeon.

Once you have created these goals, create a path to follow in order to achieve the goals. Have milestones that will help you keep track of where you are.

Quick read>>> Examples Of Professional Career Goals You Can Achieve In 2019

3. Focus on your strengths

What are your strengths?

More often than not, when we ask these questions in an interview room, we get answers such as “I’m a workaholic,” “I’m a great cook,” “I trust too easily.”

These answers are a clear indication you have not thought about and internalized the matter.

Take leadership, for instance, as a strength. If you portray leadership qualities, build on them. Look for opportunities to lead a team – you can start from a volunteering position as you hone the skill.

While you should improve on your weak areas, you should keenly focus on strong areas and use them to grow your career.

4. Network

Networking is all about connections and opportunities.

When you meet new professionals, you get to leverage their skills and networks to your advantage. Some of the successful people in the job market today have gotten there through networking.

Today, you do not have to attend an event to network. You can network with professionals from all over the world through social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

If you want to grow your career as a writer, for instance, look at the different sectors where your growth can be ascertained. Then, look for professionals in these sectors –both those at your current level and those higher than you.

While social media and digital platforms have eased networking, it is also advised you attend a networking event every fortnight or so. The physical appeal of networking cannot be equated to that of using digital platforms.

5. Market yourself

As mentioned above, networking will help you go ahead in your career.

However, some professionals only limit their networks to LinkedIn and official networking events. For you to get ahead, you must get out of this comfort zone.

Linda is a human resource manager in one of the leading banks. We happened to meet at an IHRM event, and she shared with me how she got the job; she was coming from meeting a lawyer in town. As she took the lift heading down, an elder gentleman urged her to wait for him and she did. While in the lift, the man thanked her and this sparked conversation.

She told the man she was looking for a job and has been unsuccessful for three months. He asked her for her CV, which seemed odd to her. Since she had the CV ready, she sent it to him on his email. A week later, she received a call inviting her for an interview.

Like Linda, you should always be prepared. You might be seated next to your next employer in the matatu, or you could be in the same lift with them.

What do you need to make a great first impression? Have everything ready and prepared well in advance. Opportunity knocks when you least expect it. Don’t be caught unprepared.

Also Read>>> How To Earn The Trust Of Your CEO

Finally, understand that building a successful career takes time, effort, and patience. If you’re willing to sacrifice some free time and get out of your comfort zone, you will excel in your career.

For you to succeed, you will need to take charge of your career.

When you take charge of your career and life, you’ll make better and informed decisions.

Your choices have a direct impact on the outcome of your career. Take responsibility and direct your career to the path you’d like to follow.

The only foreseeable hindrance while following these tactics, is being in the wrong career. But that can be easily remedied by conversing with a career coach. If you’re in the right career, and you follow these steps with commitment and courage, success surely awaits you.