5 Proven Ways to Level Up Your Career

Career growth isn’t formulaic, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to figure out. Many people before you have managed to build incredible careers that span decades, and they’ve done their best to pass that knowledge on to the next generations.

There actually are proven steps to advance in your career that work for nearly everyone. The problem is follow-through. If you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll see the benefits.

Here are 5 of the most impactful things you should be doing to boost your career:

Taking a Different Job

The research is in. People who switch jobs every 3-5 years end up earning more and advancing faster in their careers than those who stay in the same job for decades. It’s not a pleasant fact, but it is a fact that applies to most industries.

Make a habit of looking around for new job opportunities that will be a step up for you. Spend some time looking at job boards every once in a while, making sure you’re keeping up with what the market wants and how you can grow right now to suit your future self better.

Try to stay a step ahead of yourself. For example, if you’re about to finish your studies as a physician assistant, go ahead and spend some time looking at what companies are looking for in physician assistant opportunities. If you’re working as an optical engineer and you want your next step up to involve R&D, look at opportunities in your field that align with where you want to be in 5 years.

The point of horizontal movement in the job market is supposed to be that you’re moving up by moving out. You’re not meant to keep sidestepping. Look for opportunities that help you grow and set you up for the next step in your plan.

Upskilling

Most professionals suffer from a skills gap. They lack the skills to take the next steps, leading to stagnation. Upskilling is an ongoing process you should be doing throughout your career. Being a lifelong learner puts you ahead of your peers in almost every situation.

If you start a habit of regular learning, you’ll be in good company. Want to know who prioritizes reading every day?

  • Bill Gates
  • Warren Buffet
  • Mark Cuban
  • Howard Schultz
  • Elon Musk
  • Mark Zuckerburg
  • Gary Vaynerchuk

Lifelong learning can start at any time. All you need to do is pick up a book, begin an online class, or start listening to informative podcasts.

Remember that you’re not upskilling for the benefit of your employer. You’re upskilling to improve yourself and the trajectory of your career. Learn skills that will help you get where you want to go instead of focusing on what your current employer would like from you.

Getting in the Right Circles

Networking isn’t a new concept. At this point, everyone knows that you need to network in order to boost your career. What people don’t always tell you about networking is that it only works if you’re connecting with the right people.

Every person is valuable and unique, but not everyone can provide the type of value you need to advance your career. Be on the lookout for people who you can work with to enhance your career and get things moving.

Staying Healthy

Research has demonstrated time and time again that there’s a link between staying healthy and having a successful career. Healthy habits improve your mental and physical health, giving you a clearer mind and more energy to focus throughout your day.

It’s not just physical health you need to consider. Your mental health is going to play a large part in your career success, especially in today’s digital age where it feels impossible to truly disconnect. Good mental health is going to keep you sharp and help you make better decisions in every area of your life, including in your work.

How can you work on your mental health? Some things that are good for your body are also good for your mind, such as exercising and healthy eating. Beyond that, you can try:

  • Meditation
  • Engaging in a hobby
  • Charity work or volunteering
  • Actively practicing gratitude
  • Stopping negative self-talk
  • Staying connected to a community

Mental health revolves around living a full life that’s centered on more than just your career. Even if your career is one of your top priorities, your health can suffer if it’s the only thing you focus on. Living a diverse life keeps you growing, learning, and staying connected to others, all of which help you keep your mind in a good place.

Being Seen

Visibility matters in every industry. If you’re not visible, no one will be aware of the value you’re providing and they’ll have no incentive to promote you. How do you stay visible in your career?

  • Maintain a presence on social media
  • Recognize others for their contributions
  • Give updates and progress reports
  • Track your achievements
  • Ask to be put on high-profile projects
  • Participate in industry forums and conferences
  • Make connections constantly

Just like upskilling, visibility is a long-term thing that shouldn’t be centered around your current employers. Being visible helps you unlock new opportunities and keep building yourself year after year. The more you’re seen to be valuable, the more you’ll be able to accomplish over time.

Conclusion

The steps you need to take to build your career aren’t a secret. The tricky part is taking action. Now that you know what you need to do, it’s time to set up a plan and make it happen. Don’t miss out on a good opportunity because you failed to take action to prepare for it ahead of time.