The modern workplace is an insanely competitive place. No matter how well qualified you are when you join a company, there will always be younger employees clambering up the career ladder behind you, many of whom could have more up-to-date skills than you.
Technology in particular is continually evolving and it can be tough for even tech savvy individuals to keep on top of the latest developments in their chosen industry. For this reason, continuous professional development is a must-do for many industries. Failing to stay up-to-date with the latest skills and industry developments could be the kiss of death for promotion. Unfortunately, however, not all employers are good at providing opportunities for professional development, so how can you improve your lot in the workplace?
Why Employers Should Recognise the Value of Professional Development
Studies show that employees who undertake regular training and professional development are much more adaptable to the changing needs of an organisation. They are also more engaged in the workplace, which creates a better and more productive environment.
Choosing the Right Training Pathway
You might be aware that undertaking some form of professional development training is likely to be good for your career, but with so many options available, it is hard to know which way to turn. To begin with, you need to identify which area of your job could benefit from some skills updating. Are there any things you struggle to do competently? If you need some feedback, speak to someone in your HR department or read your last performance appraisal for clues.
Ask for Workplace Training
If there are more skilled people in your place of work, ask if you can be assigned a mentor to guide you. This is also useful if you are undertaking a further education training course that directly relates to your current career. A mentor can provide feedback on your study and answer any questions you might have.
Check the Current Job Market
Even if you are very happy in your job, it is sensible to keep up to date with the current job market. Keep an eye on what the requirements are for a person in your position and if you think that your skills are lagging behind or a professional qualification will improve your job career prospects, start investigating your options.
Don’t Ignore Softer Skills
Whilst one way of developing professionally is to sign up for a training course through a provider such as commsupportnetworks.co.uk, there are also other skills worth acquiring, whether it is learning how to deal with difficult customers, management skills training, or even a counselling qualification. Soft skills are very useful to have and are usually very desirable in the workplace.
Personal Development Skills
Personal development is often overlooked on the climb up the career ladder. Working with charities and voluntary organisations can be invaluable, especially if you want to learn new skills.
Learning new skills, both professional and personal, is not always easy, but if you want to develop within your chosen career path, it will improve your employability and give you a lot more options.
Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.
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