Reinventing Your Career: 5 Steps to Your Best Role Yet

In this?four-part series, I discuss practical ways to help you reach both short- and long-term goals, strike a positive work-life balance, harness your self-interests and passions, and expand your network and skillset.

Being flexible is always a valuable trait in any work setting, but reinvention is more critical now than ever before. Reinvention can help you balance survival and career if you navigate it well. Don’t let the turbulence of the world today throw you off your career track!

Reinvention is a mindset change—one that I can help you achieve in as little as 90 minutes.?So, make that mindset change. Work to diversify yourself and your skill sets. You may have odd periods of downtime, and time in between jobs that’s filled with uncertainty, but you can use this time to your advantage.?

Reinventing Your Career: 5 Steps to Your Best Role Yet

First and foremost, reinvention is a mindset. But once you’ve adopted that mindset, here are the personal development steps you can take to make your reinvention goals a reality.?

1.? Network, network, network

I can’t stress the importance of networking enough. We all knew it was important before COVID-19, but it’s even more critical now as networks recover and rebuild. In this world of “it’s about who you know,” it pays to be connected…literally. Future colleagues are more eager to give you an interview if you already know someone who can vouch for you.

2.? Brush up on your skills (and learn some new ones)

Work to build a sharper toolbox for yourself. By brushing up on your existing skills, or learning something new altogether, you create a dynamic toolbox that you can pull from for jobs you’ve never had before.?

This versatility and willingness to adapt will make you a solid hire at any organization—these days, we’re all primed to expect the unexpected. It’s refreshing when a new hire can take the unexpected and run with it.

3.? Take on projects that may be unrelated to your usual work

This goes hand-in-hand with learning new skills. By taking on projects unrelated to your direct line of work, you’re building a repertoire of skills that can only serve to help you in your future endeavors.?

Plus, if you’re experiencing a stretch of unemployment, taking on these outside projects will give you something to talk about during job interviews (and hopefully a bit of freelancer income for you, too).?

4.? Be candid about your struggles

If you struggle with something in workplace settings, or if there’s a skill in your field that you haven’t quite mastered, be candid about it. That’s the best way to begin improving.

5. Set your sights on your goals

Your goals are your own. Don’t let your employer, or unemployment, set those goals for you. Keep an eye on the horizon, and take the steps you can to make sure you stay the course in your career—even during downturns.

Your Career 2.0: Put Your Plans Into Action

Now that you know the steps you can take to reinvent your career, here are a few simple ways to make them a reality.?

Network Virtually

Networking is important, but how can you go about it when so much of our interaction takes place remotely??

Not to worry—you can go a long way by networking virtually. For example, attend virtual panels by trade organizations in your field. Reach out to the speakers and participants on these panels afterward by connecting with them on LinkedIn. Give them your glowing, genuine opinions of their insights.?

Watch Webinars and Earn Online Certifications

There is so much quality content on the internet right now—I’m sure you can find content that aligns with your field. Do some searching and attend those webinars. Sign up for those online certification courses. Doing so can help you increase your skill set.

You’re Not Alone: Reach Out to Others

You’re not the only one on this reinvention journey. Find like-minded individuals through trade organizations in your field, and message each other about your journeys. Most people would be more than happy to set up some time for a virtual coffee talk!

Add Structure to Keep Yourself Motivated

Coaching programs are vital to reinventing yourself and reinventing your career. They can provide a steady stream of guidance and motivation, especially during uncertain times.?

But there are a lot of coaching programs out there. If you’re not sure which one to start with, feel free to reach out to me for guidance.

Read more articles from this series:

1. Your Job Is A Small Part of Your Career
2. Focus on Family for a Better Work-Life Balance
3. Harness Your Self-Interests
4. Reinventing Your Career: 5 Steps to Your Best Role Yet

Looking for expert advice to help you move your career forward? Then, head to my?YouTube channel?where I share short videos designed to help you better manage your career, negotiate with confidence and keep you motivated to reach your goals.

If you found this information helpful, please share it with others! You can find more articles chock-full of great information on my blog page?Unleash Your Potential.

As a leadership and negotiation strategist,?Elizabeth Suárez?works with organizations to develop their professionals into effective leaders and influencers.