Career Development in Pandemic Times — The Guide You Needed (II)
In our last article, we explored two tips on communication and feedback, so that you can keep progressing professionally nowadays. As promised, today, we are back with two other incredible tips so that you can keep investing in your career in these uncertain times. Get ready to…
3. Shine bright(er) like a diamond
That extends to proactivity, one of the most fundamental skills in remote work. Due to the distance that landed on our daily work routines, the need to seek your opportunities and make yourself an active contributor to the team is even more pronounced. Therefore, reflecting on what makes you shine may be very fruitful — are you an outstanding negotiator; do you excel at writing; is public speaking your cup of tea? Start by simply writing down, in a list, the skills or characteristics which may positively distinguish you, and that could be the stepping-stone for you to sensibly and consciously seek additional projects where you could put those strengths up to good use. The illustrious British philosopher John Locke said it right: “The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.” This is definitely a great way to broaden your spectrum of experience — even if it is pro bono –, enabling you to be considered for more challenging and diverse goals in the future.
However, if commuting is no longer a section of your day and you are not overwhelmed by extra tasks that consume a huge proportion of your time, these are the days when we are probably going to have more time to learn. This is another topic where the digital environment comes in handy: e-learning constitutes the best current option for brushing up your skills and increasing your range of professional possibilities — with advantages both in terms of cost and practicality. This, of course, becomes more relevant if you look with special attention for the development of the skills that are currently, and foreseen for the future, considered the most valuable, in your company. By simply doing that kind of research, you could be multiplying your chances to keep moving forward, career-wise, and prevent yourself from stagnating in the firm. In that sense, besides podcasts or books and their respective writers, from whom we could get pertinent and such useful advice and mentorship — online courses are a wonderful option..
According to Forbes — and some experts from The Square team, of course –, here are nine best education websites for online education that you can explore, diverse in themes and duration (and for free!):
4. “Haaave you met Ted?”
It may seem like a utopia, nowadays, but it is possible; moreover, recommended. Networking is a common word in the business industry. However, it could be intimidating to get exposure to someone you don’t know and start a meaningful conversation with them. Yet, there are a few tips that could make the experience less compelling and more effective.
To begin with, be mindful of your objectives behind any contact you establish. Are you looking for a new job opportunity in a company that seems more attractive to you? Do you wish to hear from the experience of a distant person inside your company? Would you like to change your professional area, or you’re just looking to boost your professional prospects? To have that clearly defined in your mind is the vector that will guide your positioning in the communication and prevent you from getting lost in your preparation.
Afterwards, you can start with the people you already know: it is always smoother to be introduced by a mutual connection. Look for those connections in the multiple spheres of your life — not only the professional –, for opportunities could really come from everywhere. Now that many people are working remotely, it could be easier to reach out to some of them who used to be less available before the pandemic hit. Meetings, conventions, and even online parties with friends could be very nice environments for networking, in that sense.
In any case, do not shy behind geography: establishing a connection with someone across the globe is no longer an issue and could be very interesting. In any case, when going for one-on-one conversations or situations where they may occur, make sure to prepare and learn about the person and the organization, beforehand.
Lastly, networking is supposed to be a two-sided opportunity. Therefore, remember to make an appealing introduction of yourself — alluding to any common interests or experiences is usually a good starting point for a strong connection — and let them know what you can offer them, as well. In the best-case scenario, you will probably want to keep that contact close to you, so making the conversation a continuous dialogue instead of a one-time encounter should be your priority. Sending them a follow-up message, giving them feedback on some suggestions they have given you, or making suggestions yourself are great ideas to do it.
At the end of the day, the world keeps running, and you don’t want to miss out on any chances to evolve and continue your professional journey with success. Even if we are still working, and under good conditions, this pandemic has already taught us that nothing in this life should be taken for granted. It is also in our hands to shape the future that remains within our reach.
