As life’s cyclical processes occur, victories are counterbalanced by setbacks & the future can’t be predicted, the simple message of “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” resonates across generations.
It is those with an extra edge, who succeed despite challenging times, like the current massive layoffs, the tricky & competitive job market & the looming economic crisis.
And it is only possible to achieve this edge with a lifelong commitment to investing in oneself. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts:
❎ Don’t just do every course in the market.
✅ Identify & pursue a niche certification that is relevant.
❎ Don’t stop your learning post your basic education.
✅ Never stop learning, instead commit to a challenging course every year.
❎ Don’t rely only on the income coming from your regular job.
✅ Identify a second skill that you can hone, develop & monetise along with your regular job.
❎ Don’t keep your interests & passions for once in a while.
✅ Identify, get professional mentorship, classes or certification & follow your passion, making secondary income.
❎ Don’t steer away from leveraging the latest tech tools
✅Get an AI tool that is cutting edge for automation & save time.
❎ Don’t let go of employee schemes from your organisation
✅ Take advantage of your organization’s self-learning & development programs (if available).
❎ Don’t add connections and then ignore them.
✅ Make useful business and professional connections to expand your network and actively engage.
❎ Don’t try to write your own resume if you aren’t an expert at positioning yourself correctly.
✅ Invest in getting your resume and cover letter written by a professional
❎ Don’t create a redundant and unused online account
✅ Build an online social profile that resonates with your resume and make it search friendly & optimised with the right keywords.
❎ Don’t ignore the importance of soft skills in your career growth
✅ Take a soft skills course and learn skills that will benefit you in your next role.
❎ Don’t ignore the trends in your sector & job market
✅ Keeping up with current job market trends can help you predict future employer needs. Learn about the skills that are in demand on the job market and acquire them.
❎ Don’t just blindly apply to jobs without doing any research
✅ Use the information you gather from researching the company and the position to tailor your application and prepare for the interview.
❎ Don’t be a silent forum participant.
✅ Join professional associations within your industry and participate, volunteer or even be a speaker.