No one is born with inherent brilliance; success and expertise come from ongoing learning and self-investment. As summer comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on your career goals and take proactive steps to advance your professional life. Whether you're seeking a promotion, considering a career change, or aiming to enhance your skills, investing in yourself is essential. Here are ten career actions to take before summer ends to set yourself up for future success.
1) Update Your Resume & LinkedIn Profile
Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your professional frontiers. Take some time to update them with recent accomplishments, new skills, and experiences. Highlight any new certifications, projects, or increased responsibilities you've undertaken. A well-maintained profile can open doors to new opportunities and connections.
2) Set Clear Career Goals
Having a clear vision of your career path is essential. Establish S.M.A.R.T. goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—for the upcoming year to guide your progress. Examples of effective S.M.A.R.T. goals might include obtaining a certification, presenting at a local conference or meeting, taking on a leadership role, becoming a mentor or mentee, or writing an article. Whether you're pursuing a promotion, acquiring new skills, or considering a career shift, well-defined goals will help you stay focused and motivated.
3) Expand Your Professional Network
Networking is essential for career growth. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and industry peers to strengthen existing connections and make new ones. Participate in industry events, webinars, and virtual meetups to broaden your network. For a more impactful experience, consider joining a local business continuity and resilience management association and attending in-person networking events. Building strong relationships takes time, and face-to-face interactions often provide the best networking opportunities.
4) Enhance Your Resiliency Domain Skills
Developing new skills is crucial for strengthening your business continuity and resilience capabilities. Identify areas where your current strategies or knowledge may need improvement, or focus on skills that are increasingly important in the field. Strengthening your program management skills is also essential for effectively coordinating and managing complex projects, aligning resources, and ensuring the successful implementation of continuity strategies.
5) Seek Feedback & Reflect
Constructive feedback is essential for growth. Request feedback from your supervisors, colleagues, or mentors on your performance. Reflect on the insights you receive and pinpoint areas for improvement. This introspection can enhance your self-awareness and prepare you for future challenges.
6) Build up Your Leadership Skills
To strengthen your leadership skills, focus on clear communication and active listening, which are crucial for effectively guiding teams, particularly in resilience management. Pursue mentorship and feedback from experienced leaders to gain valuable insights into handling complex scenarios. Embrace leadership roles in projects or volunteer activities to hone your decision-making and team management abilities. Additionally, invest in ongoing learning and personal development to remain adaptable and resilient in your leadership journey.
7) Update Your Professional Portfolio
Ensure your portfolio reflects your most recent and relevant work. Include a variety of projects and case studies that demonstrate your skills and adaptability in managing resiliency strategies and responding to disruptions. Having these samples prepared will help you be ready for future interviews and make a strong impression on potential employers or clients.
8) Enhance Your Soft Skills
Our research indicates that employers value key soft skills in resilience management, including emotional intelligence, situational awareness, adaptability to change, and a genuine passion for the role. To strengthen these competencies, consider enrolling in relevant courses or workshops. Additionally, practicing mindfulness or engaging in emotional intelligence exercises can improve your ability to manage stress and interact effectively with others.
9) Stay Informed About Industry Trends
Keeping up with the latest industry trends can give you a competitive advantage. Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow thought leaders on social media, and read relevant blogs and publications. Staying informed allows you to anticipate changes and adapt to evolving industry landscapes. Be sure to check out our complimentary program research and compensation research reports.
10) Plan for Work-Life Balance
While career success is important, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is equally crucial. Assess how you spend your time and make necessary adjustments. Prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries can help prevent burnout and keep you energized and productive.
Investing in yourself is a continuous journey that pays off in numerous ways. As the summer draws to a close, take this opportunity to set yourself up for future achievements. Whether it’s updating your resume, expanding your network, learning new skills, or ensuring a healthy work-life balance, the steps you take now can significantly impact your future career success. Remember, brilliance is cultivated, not inherent—start investing in yourself today.
As always, we are here to help you in meeting your career aspirations in any way that we can. Sign up for our BCM Career Alert notifications at https://www.bcmanagement.com/business-continuity-jobs to ensure you receive timely new career notifications matching your search preferences. You can also find great candidate video content posted on the BC Management YouTube channel. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have. Arrange a complimentary discussion today at info@bcmanagement.com.
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