Career Advice: Your 2023 Career Guide

There are plenty of things you can do to reach your career goals – here are our top tips on how to boost your career in 2023.

You’re not alone if you are re-evaluating your career and thinking about moving on. The Adecco Global Workforce of the Future survey found that over 27% of workers plan to quit their jobs in the next 12 months, and 45% actively keep an eye on the job market for new opportunities. You may be a recent graduate and need help figuring out where to start on your career path, or you may have been out of the job market for a while and are unsure how to get back on the job ladder. No matter what point you are starting from, you can do plenty of things to reach your career goals. Here are our top tips on how to boost your career in 2023.

Getting Your First Job

That first job after you’ve finished school, college, or university is an exciting prospect and can set the tone for your future career. Although the pressure to land your first job can be high, don’t feel you have to settle for the first role that comes your way. Look carefully at the company structure, culture, and ethics to see if it aligns with your values and how you like to work. Find out if there are future growth opportunities within the company – this is something you can discuss at the interview stage. Still, you can also check out the company’s career page and other vacancies they are advertising to get a better idea of the career progression on offer before you apply.

Ask your friends, family, or mentors for guidance – they have your best interests at heart, and it can be valuable to have someone you trust take a second look over your CV, application, or personal statement. Don’t forget to leverage your social media profile to maximise your opportunities – sites like LinkedIn are great for building your professional network and getting seen by recruiters and potential employers.

Read our “How a Strong Social Media Profile Can Help You Get Hired” post for tips on polishing your social profiles.

Moving On

For those who are or have been in the workforce, wanting to change jobs is entirely natural. You may be working towards a promotion, looking to change careers completely, or looking for an employer with a company culture that is a better fit for you. Whatever your goals, here are five tips for making your next career move a success.

• Create a Personal Development Plan

If you plan to progress within your current company, getting your manager on board with your plans is a good idea. Employees that have regular conversations about career progression are three times more likely to be encouraged to apply for internal opportunities. Create a Personal Development Plan to map your immediate and long-term goals and how you’ll achieve them. Check out our Candidate Resources section on creating a successful personal development plan.

The most in-demand soft skills for workers are:

• Enhance your skillset

Building on your existing skills can enhance your career and open up new opportunities. You can do this by studying online courses, volunteering, and taking on work projects outside your usual remit. Developing transferrable skills will not only set you up for success in your current role, but as they can be applied to a wide range of jobs and sectors, they can be helpful when you’re applying for a new job or industry. Need help deciding which skills to focus on? Search for open positions that interest you and look at the skills required to get an idea of where to start. You can also read more tips here to identify the skills that prospective employers are looking for and which skills will help your CV stand out from the rest.

• Update your CV

If you have been in the same position for a couple of years, the chances are your CV will need a refresh. It’s good practice to update your CV every few months, even if you aren’t actively looking for a new job. Delete irrelevant information such as clubs you were in university – unless you’re applying for jobs that specifically value these interests - and add in your accomplishments at work. Put in numbers and results where you can; data, metrics, and statistics show recruiters and hiring managers the impact you made. Statements like ‘edited five whitepapers per week’, ‘managed a budget of £100, 000 and cut costs by 10%’ or ‘wrote ten press releases per week’, for example, sound much more impressive than vague job descriptions. Once your CV is up-to-date, polish your LinkedIn profile with a great headline, recommendations from people you’ve worked with, and articles that will help you get noticed – get more tips here.

• Carve out a new role for yourself

Have you noticed a gap in your company that you could fill? For example, could a process be streamlined if a person was dedicated to ensuring coordination between two different departments worldwide? Let your organisation know that you’d be great at driving those changes. Get others on board with your idea and draw support from influential colleagues. Remember, organisational charts are not entirely set in stone – new roles can be created as needs arise, so this could be your chance to shine.

• Choose a job that will help you grow

Choosing the proper role is essential, regardless of whether you move positions within the company or change employers. You deserve to be in a role that excites you, motivates you, and offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. A role you are already fully qualified for may not give you enough room to grow - instead, aim for jobs that you are around 70% qualified for. This will help you grow professionally, and as you’ll have skills and experience to develop, you’ll be less likely to get bored after a few months.

If you want to start a new role this year, don’t hesitate to contact your local Adecco branch today and connect with an expert recruiter who will walk you through every step of the process to ensure you secure the right new job.

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