Develop Your Career and Work Skills

In another article, I wrote about some strategies to help you succeed at work and improve your career. You can find that article at this link. While writing that article, I suggested taking responsibility for your own development as a strategy. In my career, I have found this tip to be very helpful and would like to provide a closer look into some of the ways you can help develop your career and work skills.

It should be obvious that one of the things that good bosses appreciate the most in their employees is initiative. This initiative can be shown in your quest to develop your career and work skills. If instead of waiting for your boss to approach you about taking an Excel class, you ask for permission to take the class first or buy a book on Excel, your boss will likely be impressed. First, you've shown the self-reflection to recognize a weakness. Second, you've shown the willingness to do something about it. The following tips will help you chart a course to develop your career and work skills:

Develop Your Career and Work Skills Tip #5 - Recognize New and Different Situations as Opportunities Rather than Problems

In almost every facet of life, your attitude can make a huge impact. We are all faced with challenges at work. These challenges can actually help you develop your career and work skills. Sometimes the challenges involve the amount of work you're expected to do. These are opportunities to learn new and more efficient methods. Other times the challenges come from being asked to do something different. In these cases, you will have the opportunity to learn new skills and expand the breadth or depth of your knowledge.

The whole point of this tip is to be sure you approach work's challenges with the right attitude. If you can do that, you're more likely to soak up the knowledge you'll gain in the assignment rather than let it fly by, never to be seen again.

Develop Your Career and Work Skills Tip #4 - Pursue Certifications in Your Career

Most careers (professional or otherwise) have certification tests or courses you can pursue to help you develop your career and work skills. Some are cheap and some are expensive, but if your employer will pay for you to pursue the certification, cost is a moot point. If you are already very knowledgeable in your field, then the process of obtaining certification can help to refresh and reaffirm your knowledge. However, we are all constantly learning and improving. The pursuit of the certification will help give you the motivation to learn more and to retain that knowledge.

I must qualify that I think a lot of problems in the workplace can be resolved by spending some time with a company (provided they do not decide to lay you off), rather than job hopping. This would give you the opportunity to become comfortable with an organization and devote more of your time to development. All that said, obtaining a certification will certainly help you in your future job searches should you find the need to move on.

Develop Your Career and Work Skills Tip #3 - Read the Magazines and Newsletters Regarding Your Career

Just as most fields have certification, most also have trade magazines or newsletters which can help you develop your career and work skills. I know that one of the last things you want to do is read more about your work, but the long-term benefits can be very helpful. The more knowledgeable you are about your field, the easier it will be to fight through challenging assignments and challenging timelines. You will learn best practices for improved efficiency and new, creative ideas.

Develop Your Career and Work Skills Tip #2 - Study Additional Areas of Personal Interest

If you find that you are exposed to skills in your job that you find interesting, but do not often get to use, study more on your own to help develop your career and skills. At any time, you may be asked to use those skills again in your current job or in your next job.

Develop Your Career and Work Skills Tip #1 - Make a Plan and Stick to It

Take the time to plan your path for your goal to develop your career and work skills. You will be much more likely to continue your development if you have a plan in place. You don't have to meet all of your goals, but it helps to have the plan as a motivator and reminder.

As a result of your quest to develop your career and work skills, you will receive added value in your career. While taking the time to learn about your field, you will begin to really learn what you are good at and what you are not. You will learn what you enjoy and what you do not. This knowledge seems like it should be obvious, but few people really think about what it is that they enjoy to do. Having this knowledge can help you focus in a specific area of your field, or can help you make the choice to alter direction in your career.

In summary, it's up to you to develop your career and work skills. Your company may help, but it's your responsibility to take the initiative. Take on that responsibility and reap the benefits of more efficient and creative work, and increased market value.