There’s no denying that the past twelve months have been tumultuous, with just about every industry forced to pivot in a bid to navigate a new and unknown landscape as the result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses have faced long-term closure, employees have had to work from home – and both have been hit hard, with unemployment rates on the rise as we make our way back towards normality.
For many, though, the extra time at home in lockdown has offered an unprecedented chance to take stock of where they are heading in life – and for some, it has given them the push they needed to make a change. The opportunities available to skilled professionals and entrepreneurs these days are seemingly endless, and gone are the days when working a 9 to 5 office job was the only way to make a living. Now, more than ever, we have options – and from launching your own luxury brand or starting an online business to re-training or up-levelling in your career, we’re no longer bound by the choices we made much earlier on in life.
So, whether you’re looking to improve your career prospects in the wake of the Covid-19 storm or boost your professional credentials even further regardless, here, we take a look at some of the best ways to give your professional life a boost in 2021.
Decide what you actually want from your career
Knowing what you want out of your career is paramount when it comes to moving forward with a clear path ahead of you, so take some time out to ask yourself some serious questions. You might consider what your dream job would be, or perhaps what you’d need to feel satisfied and fulfilled from a role day to day. If this feels hard, make a list of your priorities as well as the things you don’t want, and go from there.
Broaden or improve your skill set
If the previous exercise helped you to identify and skills gaps that need to be filled, this is your next step. Upskilling won’t just boost your CV, but will enhance your confidence levels, too – so take stock of any areas you feel you might need to work on and look for courses, tests and qualifications that might help. Skills in particular demand this year are the likes of adaptability, change management, emotional intelligence and data visualisation – so developing any of these desirable soft and technical skills could be a wise move. Consider getting in touch with the Throughline Group if you seek to improve your communication skills to help you boost your career.
Take Pre-employment Tests
Pre-employment tests have been used by companies for years as a means of selecting shortlists and hiring the crème de la crème of candidates for crucial roles, so brushing up on your skills and taking the time to prepare for the tests could stand you in a good stead when it comes to applying for better job roles and will set you apart from the competition.
One of the most widespread tests is Saville Assessment, which operates in more than 85 countries. The specific test you might encounter as part of Saville online assessments depends largely on your professional level and area of expertise and covers executive, analysis, and comprehension aptitudes. The former two categories are relevant to directors and professionals alike. Sections include verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract, spatial awareness and diagrammatic – and mock practice tests are available online.
Talk to a career coach
If you still feel that you could do with a little guidance and need help pinpointing a clear direction to move forward in, hiring a career coach can help to give you some much needed clarity. Adept at helping clients to identify their key skills and uncovering their true ambitions, they’ll be able to help you to map out a path – and as well as advising those who want to boost their career prospects or climb the ladder, they are also pretty good at helping entrepreneurs to get clear on their goals and aspirations – which could be the boost you need to set that new business plan in action.
