Staying professionally active for bigger and better opportunities

Some career-driven individuals prefer to move from one role to another within a short space of time, building new skills as they go along. Others prefer to stay with a company for longer periods to build enough expertise and ultimately aim for a promotion. Either way, it is important to factor in that every step, every role and every interaction gives you the platform to raise your professional profile and pack enough skills to get you to that next job.

Here are the top 6 skills you should look to build to give your career an immunity boost.

1. Communication

This is always at the top of every list, however it is not enough to just communicate. There are ways to communicate with people at different levels and if you can master the art of emotional intelligence, then you will go far in your career.

Being emotionally intelligent means that you will have the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions. You will recognise how someone may be feeling, when to be more attentive, when to be more assertive, and ultimately achieve your goal. Try to look for ways to build positive relationships with colleagues to then communicate with them effectively. Remember that even if you are at a workplace for a short period of time, making a good impression will help you obtain a strong reference for your next job.

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2. Teamwork and collaboration

It is more than likely that you will have to work with others within your role. Make sure you share your ideas, listen to others, ask questions where needed, and work towards the team goals. It may not be easy to share your thoughts or to present an idea, however do not shy away from sharing your unique perspectives and gaining the understanding of others.

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3. Work ethic and being professional

For every job you step into, you will be expected to perform your duties in a highly professional manner. Offering small greetings, smiling at colleagues, saying hello, all count towards your friendliness.

Above all make sure you are a good timekeeper. Be punctual and flexible where possible. Always keep your annoyances in check, and work through any issues professionally and calmly.

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4. Self-management skills

Staying organised is one of the most important factors in becoming successful. Keeping an up-to-date calendar, diary or notebook will help you keep on top of your priorities, deadlines, and workload. You may choose to do this electronically, so you can access your daily priorities, worklists, appointments etc while you’re on the go, or you may wish to do this manually, either way, it is strongly recommended.

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5. Problem-solving

Every job comes with it’s challenges. If you can find solutions to problems, then employers will not only be impressed, but you will come highly recommended for future jobs. This will help you progress and gain a strong, positive impression to employers, from the onset. Being a problem solver will highlight you as forward-thinking, solution-focused, and someone who takes their job seriously.

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6. Leadership

This might sound daunting for anyone starting a new position. It may sound like you are required to be loud, the center of attention, giving orders, and running the show on your own. In fact, leadership is a more well-mannered approach to working as a team. You will need to be forthcoming with ideas, take the initiative to work with others outside of the team, and at times lead on certain aspects of the role such as delegating responsibilities in a joint team task or reporting back to management.

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Whenever you start a new role, remember that you need to put your best skills to use, whether this is being interactive, being organised, or taking a lead on a task. Remember to build those skills that do not come to you naturally and push yourself to do better each time. This positive attitude to work will get you noticed, recommended, and motivate you to go for your next big role.

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