With a new year comes an opportunity for a fresh start. While career progression may feel out of your control, there are ways you can improve your chances of moving up within your company or field this year. Making small but impactful changes to how you approach your work and professional relationships can set you up for success when new positions arise or annual reviews roll around.
In this article, we’ll explore five practical strategies focused on performance, perception, and connections that you can implement over the remainder of this year and beyond to become a stronger, more qualified candidate for advancement.
Start a Side Hustle
Launching a side gig is one of the best ways to gain new skills and experience that could lead to career progression. Something like starting an OnlyFans account, where you can monetize your content on the popular subscription service, allows you to build an audience and learn valuable marketing techniques.
Many creators promote their OnlyFans across social media to attract subscribers, including the big ass OnlyFans, cosplay, and fitness and lifestyle creators. Post teasers and behind-the-scenes content on platforms like Instagram to generate interest in your paid page. Engage with your followers by replying to their comments and messages. The more you interact, the more loyal your fanbase will become.
While the extra money from OnlyFans is great, the real benefit is the skills you’ll pick up. You’ll strengthen areas like content creation, community building, and brand management – talents that are useful for any career.
A side gig, especially one as engaging as OnlyFans, is the perfect way to advance your career through valuable soft skills and real-world experience. Give it a try – your future self will thank you!
Identify Your Career Goals and Create a Plan
Once you’ve figured out where you want to go, chart a course to get there.
Don’t just say you want a promotion or a new career; determine exactly what that looks like. A senior accountant? A manager position? Being more specific will help shape your plan. Map out the requirements and credentials you’ll need, then schedule how you’ll earn or develop them over the next 6-12 months. This could include additional training, certifications, or simply gaining more hands-on experience.
Staying focused and intentional in managing your career growth will serve you well. With clearly defined goals and a realistic plan in place, you’ll find yourself in a much better position to land that promotion or new job when the opportunity arises. The key is taking that important first step to determine exactly what you want and then putting in the work required to get there.
Seek Out Mentors and Sponsors
Finding mentors and sponsors within your organization or industry can help open doors to new opportunities. Mentors offer advice and guidance to help you navigate obstacles in your career. Sponsors actively advocate for you and promote your skills and accomplishments to help you get promoted.
Building these relationships requires time and effort, but the rewards of mentorship and sponsorship can be life-changing. With influential people on your side who want to see you succeed, you’ll have a much better chance of progressing in your career this year and beyond.
Invest in Your Skills and Education
Keeping your skills and knowledge up-to-date is key to career progression, so you need to invest in yourself. Take advantage of any opportunities to strengthen your abilities. If your company offers education reimbursement, use it to pay for additional courses or to learn new technologies that will make you a more valuable employee.
Staying on top of trends in your industry will make you an attractive candidate for promotion. Read industry publications, follow thought leaders on social media, and network with others in your field. The more you know about new developments, the more you can position yourself as an expert.
Network
Networking is one of the most important things you can do to progress your career. Make genuine connections with people in your industry by attending industry events, conferences, and meetups. Strike up conversations, ask questions about their roles and companies, and try to find common interests. You never know; that new connection could lead to a new opportunity down the road.
Build your professional network on LinkedIn by connecting with past colleagues, mentors, and people you meet at events. Engage with their posts, join relevant LinkedIn groups to connect with others, and post updates about your own career milestones and work. A strong LinkedIn profile is a must for career progression today.
Networking requires continuous effort but can be very rewarding. Keep expanding your connections, engage with your network regularly, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice or referrals when the time is right. With time and practice, networking can become second nature and help open new doors. Your career progression depends on the connections you make, so get out there and start networking.
Take Charge of Your Career
So there you have it – five simple yet powerful ways to take charge of your career progression this year. By focusing on continuing education, networking strategically, seeking out leadership opportunities, communicating your goals, and leveraging mentorships, you can set yourself up for success. The key is being proactive and intentional, and you’ll be well on your way.