While recharging your batteries with a well-earned rest from work is important, boost your personal development by making the most of your summer. This is a good time to work on your career plan as commitments to work and colleagues are less pressing.
Think in terms of a career MOT then consider what you want from your work, whether your current role fulfils your needs and aligns with your values.
In terms of career planning over the summer start by thinking about what makes you tick – draw up a list of what you’re good and what you’re interested in – include personal qualities and hobbies, it all counts! Add relevant items to the skills profile on your LinkedIn account.
Review and update
Update your personal brand starting with your social media presence which is just as important as your CV. That’s because of the visibility factor anyone can pull up your profile and view your experience, skills, education, interests, recommendations, and more.
Summer is the perfect time to move your career forward, sadly this year with all the social distancing there are fewer networking opportunities. Make a point of reaching out to old friends, former managers and ex-colleagues and take the time to send a friendly email, or make a quick phone call.
Summer is a good time to review your ongoing learning. Is there anything you would like to change or improve or add to your skillset? Acquiring relevant skills will add strength to job applications, while demonstrating your drive and enthusiasm and commitment to your career.
Audit and assess
Take the time for some personal reflection; a self-directed SWOT analysis. Think about your strengths, consider your priorities and commitments, and review your year to date and potential for the year ahead. Successful career planning is built on self-awareness, so think about your strengths as a key part of your personal brand.
Assess your career and what you want to achieve this year; evaluate your situation and measure yourself against the goals you set yourself at New Year; lockdown and the pandemic mean that there will be changes and challenges we never expected to encounter and you may have to be flexible and agile in your approach to the return to a more normal way of doing business.
Don’t worry about the future but do think seriously about your career; focus and decide on what steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Ensure that you are moving in a direction aligned with your values and strengths.
Plan your career path
I’ve noticed that many people spend more time and energy planning their holiday than they spend planning their career. This is quite simply short-sighted!
The free 10Eighty app ‘10Eighty Career Ladders’ will help you assess your career progress with eight simple questions. Our app is designed to help you reflect on how well you’re managing your career by assessing your strengths and weaknesses. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete then play it again a few months later for a spot check on progress.
If you do the things you love in life will then you are more likely to happy at work, and working to the best of your ability, learning as you go. A happy worker is a more productive one! So make the most of your future.
