Five Tips for Effective Career Management
Written by:
Appalachian State University
• Jan 6, 2025
Several decades ago, it was common for an employee to begin a job at a company and keep that same position at the same business for their entire career. These days, few career paths are written in stone. Workers are more agile than ever, changing careers and relocating states to pursue evermore challenging and financially rewarding employment opportunities.
The intentional cultivation of new skills and planning for career growth is known as career management, and a degree in organizational leadership can help professionals gain a solid grasp of it. Understanding this important self-driven process can help you better prepare for your future. No matter where you want to end up in life, there’s a career path that can get you there.
Five Tips To Manage Your Career and Reach Your Goals
Even professionals who are satisfied with their current place of work may find themselves looking for new challenges or more financially lucrative career paths. As years pass, personal and professional goals will likely change. Career management can help professionals guide their career development so their careers always align with their passions and goals.
The process often begins with setting clear career goals that align with personal aspirations. By identifying opportunities for growth, working professionals gain real-world experience that enhances employability.
Career management is often focused on the continuous cultivation of skills that enable professionals to maintain relevant competencies and remain equipped for an ever-changing job market. These five tips can help current or prospective professionals advance their careers and meet their goals.
1. Assess Strengths and Weaknesses
Before planning an effective career path, individuals should understand their strengths and weaknesses. These characteristics could include both personal and professional traits. For example, those who get nervous speaking in front of a group may want to consider signing up for groups that help people overcome that fear, such as Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization that helps develop public speaking and communication competencies.
Understanding one’s own strengths can help people better understand what career fields could fit their skills, while knowing their pain points may help them overcome them.
2. Set Goals
Professionals at any point in their careers can benefit from setting short- and long-term goals that align with their aspirations. Don’t be afraid to set ambitious goals. It’s far more advantageous to set the goal of becoming a CEO than to settle for vice president somewhere. Every few years, professionals should revisit these goals, note which ones they have achieved and be willing to set new goals. Even part way through their careers, setting fresh goals can be exciting and motivating.
3. Develop New Skills
When workers cultivate new skills, that advancement helps both the employee and their employer. Having a resume that shows continued education and the pursuit of graduate-level work can be a plus for anyone seeking a promotion or change in career.
The experience gained on the job often isn’t enough to make a worker hireable in a higher position. On-the-job experience alone is often insufficient to qualify an employee for a higher-level position. Developing new skills can come through certifications, degrees or simply reading about topics related to the relevant field.
4. Network
Networking affords many benefits when it comes to career management. Professional connections made through networking may become mentors or future employers. There are several ways to build these connections. Networking can happen online, especially through a professional networking platform like LinkedIn. Many professions also maintain networking events and organizations. Joining the local chamber of commerce can also open up important networking opportunities.
5. Evaluate Progress
People who are starting their career management journeys should regularly reevaluate their processes. They should also ask themselves if they’ve reached their goals, consider if their goals are still relevant and make any necessary changes. Ask yourself if you’ve reached your goals or if your goals are even relevant anymore.
Professionals should also ensure they leave room for potential delays or setbacks. If specific goals haven’t been reached, they may need to be amended. Additionally, professionals can consider pouring more time into networking, skill development and other areas that could open new possibilities in the future.
Further Your Career Through Career Management
As we grow, our ambitions and priorities change. Where we work should also evolve to keep up with our changing personal and professional goals. As the career landscape continues to evolve, so do professional expectations. Many companies view internal promotions and career moves as a sign of a highly motivated employee.
If you are looking for an online degree program that teaches career management skills, consider the BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning from App State Online. With flexible eight-week terms taught by our dedicated faculty, you’ll learn how to set professional goals and develop other career management-related skills that you can hone throughout your career so you’re always prepared for the future.
Find out more about how you can prioritize your professional development with App State Online.
Sources:
Avocor, “Evolution of the Workplace: Past, Present and Future”
Growthspace, Career Management
Indeed, “What is Career Management? (And How To Create a Plan)”