Considering a professional career is not to be taken lightly. It is a well-considered decision whether it is for the short, medium or long term. However, you can get ahead of your colleagues by adopting a good strategy and clearly defining your career goals.
How can you prepare for your professional development?
Even if the job market offers many opportunities today through the numerous job offers, professional development within the same company or moving from one company to another must always start with the motivation, competence and performance of each individual. Indeed, looking for a job proves to be a difficult task for some, and quite easy for others. It all depends on the goal you have set yourself.
Before you start looking for a job or if you have already worked long enough, make a professional assessment of all the activities you have carried out in order to evaluate your skills and to ensure a successful and fulfilling professional career. You can even ask for advice from the personalised professional guidance counsellors such as the CEP (Conseil en Evolution Professionnelle), Pôle emploi, APEC, CAP emploi... who offer their services free of charge for all those who are professionally active.
What is career development?
Career development takes many forms, including a change of position, company or a progression of responsibilities. This evolution requires a number of well-considered decisions that can lead to a professional reconversion, a request for promotion or increase and even an evaluation of your skills. However, to be able to progress in your work, move to a new position or responsibility, or be part of a new company, you need a professional project. This project is essential if you want to develop your career in the long or short term. This amounts to defining a career plan. Simply put, this is the set of action plans you have for achieving your career goals. This career plan will allow you to move in a direction that you define, ultimately opening a path to career development.
The strategy to adopt for successful career development
To start a professional career, start by wearing appropriate clothing. The idea here is to give a good self-image because the first impression you give to your colleagues or collaborators can help you integrate easily into a company. Your skills, your activity, your ambitions will allow you to climb the ladder step by step if you know how to optimize them. Depending on your seniority, you should know how to seize the opportunities that arise within your company by building on your abilities, skills and motivations... and by preparing an action plan or project in advance. Always be prepared for your interview with your manager, because when the opportunity arises, you'll be ready to show your cards and impress your employer.