Professional Development Expand your Capabilities

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Professional Development

 Expand your Capabilities

 

Professional development is all about expanding your capabilities.  The more capable you are, the higher you will go up the corporate ladder.  Capability creates opportunities so you can succeed.  Consider ways to expand your capabilities as you continue to work. Make a professional development plan so you know what to focus on.  This will help you rise to the top in your career.

Professional Development Questions

Professional development requires thought and planning. Consider the capabilities that you want to expand.  Ask yourself these questions. The questions will help you  evaluate. Decide where you are now and where you want to be in the future.

  • What am I already doing well on the job?
  • What is the one skill or ability I could learn that would help me most on the job?
  • Which  skill or ability would my boss like me to learn? Would the company pay for my training to learn the new skill?
  • What job would I like to be in five years from now? What skills do I need to be qualified for the job?
  • Which  skills and abilities to successful corporate leaders have? Which of those skills would I like to develop?
  • What skill or ability do I wish I had? What could I do to develop that skill?

Professional Development Resources

Here are some professional development resources you may find useful.

Expand your Capabilities

Once you have reviewed your capabilities and made a plan, you can work your plan and consider what to do to expand your capabilities.  An online class, lunch seminar, professional conference can all be the ticket to training. Focus on the target area.  Look for opportunities to learn more.

Make sure you cover the basics as you expand your capabilities.  Here are a few basics you may want to cover.

In addition, you need to practice your new skill. Look for opportunities to practice in order to improve.  Use your new skill on the job so you can showcase what you can do. Practice with family and friends in order to improve your skill.  Use it during your free time.  So keep Practicing!  It will keep getting easier as you do so.

Use professional development so you expand your capabilities.   You will find that doors of opportunity open up in order to gain new skills. More responsibility will come your way as you practice.  You will find the job success you desire as you set your mind to succeed.

Learn to be a Team Player

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Learn to be a Team Player

 

It is important to learn to be a team player in the workplace.  Being part of the team can enhance your professional development and help you move to the next level. It helps you assimilate with those you work with at work and strengthens the overall business atmosphere.

Team Player Strategies

It is important to dive in to be a team player.  This means you work for a common goal as a group.  The team share responsibility.  This can require a great deal of Interpersonal Communication and knowing the Keys to Effective Communication.  Take the time to ask and talk about team goals, objectives, timelines, and decisions so that you can work together to make things happen.

Part of team working is having mutual respect and trust and you share responsibility to bring about a strong end project.  Look for ways to help and support team members and to reach the desired goal.

Sometimes, difficulties arise within the team.  When this happens look for ways of Achieving Success with Difficult People  so that you can communicate and work through any difficulties that arise. Working through issues can make the team stronger and better able to meet its goal.

Above all, keep your eye on the objective!  Look for ways to meet the team goal in a timely manner.  There may be rewards for the team for meeting the team goal in a timely manner.

Team Player Resources

There are a number of good resources to help you work with a team in business.

Help the Team Score

You help the team succeed when you help the team score.  This means that you put the team goal first, do all you can to help the team meet its goal, provide support and direction to other team members, and  work hard to do  your share of the work.  As a strong team player, you can make a key difference both in the success of the team and in the success of your company.

Learn to be a team player – it will pay big dividends in your career growth and professional development!

Social Media Job Networking

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Social Media Job Networking

 

Social media job networking is an important way to find a new job.  Look for ways to create a social media presence.  Use your social media presence to make contacts with others in your field, industry and community.  This will make it easy to find a new job through your social media contacts.

Of course, for social media networking to work, you need to create a professional presence on social media.  Use social media to highlight your skills, capabilities, achievements, and training.  This makes it easy for someone to see how you can help their company.

Social Media Job Networking Articles 

Here are some ways to use social media in job networking.

As you find ways to engage in social media job networking, you will find that you are linked to those who do the hiring.  This will give you a competitive edge.  It will make it easier to switch jobs.  You will already be a friend with others in industry.  It can increase your opportunities in the job market.

Take the time to determine which strategies will work best for you.  Use social media to your professional advantage.  Build your own network as you find ways to link up for success!

Develop skills for success

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Develop skills for success

89 skills for success

Take the time to develop skills for success.  As you expand your skill set and capabilities to be successful on the job, you will find that your preparation opens the doors to new job opportunities.  Create an ongoing professional development plan so that you are always finding ways to use develop and use new skills.

Some common skills that you will need to be successful include:

  • Good communication capabilities,
  • Critical thinking and problem solving,
  • The ability to analyze information,
  • The ability to get the job done,
  • The ability to set priorities and manage time,
  • Technical capabilities to use computers, software, and company specific programs,
  • The ability to continue to learn new things on the job,
  • Dependability,
  • Adaptability,
  • The ability to work with others on a team, committee, or project, and
  • Commitment to success.

Articles on Skills for Success

Take a look at some of these articles that can help you find success on the job.

As you adopt and implement skills for success you will find that you quickly rise to be successful in what you do. It is often the small things that make a difference over time.  A few minutes a day can pay big dividends in helping you find success on the job.  Commit to  do what it takes to find the job success that you desire.  Committee to ongoing skill development and success will come your way.

How to find a mentor

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How to find a Mentor

84 mentor-coach

 

It is important to know how to find a mentor.  A good mentor can make all the difference in giving you a “boost” with your career and helping you move it to the next level.  A good mentor can coach and help you develop the skills that you need to succeed on the job.  Once you have moved to a higher level of work yourself, you may be able to mentor others and make a real difference in their career.

The first step in finding a good mentor is to identify your career goal and look for who is doing what you want to do.  Make contact with the person you hope will be your mentor and ask them for advice, coaching, or counsel.  Ask the person specifically if they will mentor you.  Many successful people want to “pay back” the help they received by helping those who are still learning the rules of success.

Once you have found the mentor, then you need to do what it takes to be easy to mentor.  Listen to what the mentor has to say and follow his/her suggestions.  Ask for and assume more responsibility.  Help other succeed and continue to build a support network with others in the organization.  There are typically good leaders in any organization for you to observe, learn from, and follow in your efforts for success.

Finally, be sure you thank your mentor for any assistance given.  Let him/her know how much you appreciate the time, effort, wisdom, and advice that has been shared with you to help you succeed.

How to Find a Mentor

For more information on how to find a mentor, follow these links.

Communicate for Success

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Communicate for Success

79 Communicate

 

Communicate for success.  This can make all of the difference in your workplace growth. Good workplace communication improves your job skills.  It can mean the difference between a job well done or one that isn’t done well. Be the one  who knows how to successfully speak.  Learn to listen. Talk to others to solve problems.   These strong communication skills will then lead you up the corporate ladder so that you achieve career success.

Take the time to develop strong communication skills.  As you do so, you will differentiate yourself.  You will become the “go to” person.  You will be the one who can listen to others. It will help you solve problems.  You can get things done more quickly. Strong communication can prepare you to move into a leadership role. All it takes is a little practice.

Communication skills for the workplace

There are a variety of communication skills you will need.  Here are a few to consider.

  • Connect with others
  • Look people in the eye
  • Ask questions
  • Learn the art of listening
  • Ask if you have really understood correctly
  • Focus on the facts
  • Speak in a respectful manner
  • Write clearly
  • Respond promptly to others
  • Focus on problem solving
  • Learn to resolve conflict
  • Keep your words clear and concise
  • Encourage two-way communication
  • Effectively share your ideas
  • Focus on the positive

Web links to more information on effective workplace communication

Here are some articles on ways to enhance your communication.

Communicate for success.  Use your new communication skills.  This will help you engages in good dialogue.  You’ll be able to figure out how to solve problems.  It will be easier to listen and understand.  Make sure that your communication is two way so that people feel comfortable speaking to you and learning what you have to say.

Create a good reputation

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Create a good reputation

 

74 reputation

There are many ways to create a good reputation.  Your actions will speak for themselves so let others know what you can do and how you can do it. Here are a few basic guidelines to consider so you can manage your reputation.

  • Keep your word.

If you say that you will do something, then you need to do it.  When you do this you become known as a person who gets things done, does what they say they will do, and is reliable and dependable.  These are the things you want to be known for.

  • Help others.

Take the time to help others.  This helps you develop a strong rapport and bond with your coworkers, lets them know you care about their work as well as your own, and sends the message that you are a team player willing to pitch in to help out.

  • Set high standards.

Set high standards for yourself and others in the workplace. Become known as the person who does things right, who goes above and beyond what is required, and who performs high quality work. Your work will speak for itself when you do it with high standards.

  • Do more than is expected.

Go beyond the minimum requirements for the job.  If you are always on the low end, just passing the minimum, then you will be known as someone who scraps by.  On the other hand, if you are always doing more than is required you will become known as the person who is thorough, reliable, and willing to do what it takes to ensure that things are done well.

  • Mentor Others.

Be a role model to others.  Help others achieve their career goals through your example, informal coaching, and assistance to help others follow you on your path up the career ladder.  As you  provide a role model for others, many will come to see you as a leader in your field, organization, and community.

  • Be community minded.

Look for ways to volunteer, help your community, and help those in need. This shows a commitment to the community as a whole and not just your own self interests.

As you can see, there are many ways to create a good reputation. Do what it takes to create a top reputation and your reputation will proceed you in the workplace.