10 Career Hacks for Professional Excellence

A successful career is not built in a day. Achieving career success has always been hard. But now, India is entering its ‘demographic dividend’ phase i.e. young people of productive age will constitute the biggest portion of the Indian demographic. And they are all looking for the same thing as you- a successful career. In such a hyper-competitive job market, can you survive, let alone succeed? The answer is yes if you know what you are doing. Rather than following the masses, try these hacks for a better chance at career success:

1.Strategic goal setting:

The ‘Go with the Flow’ attitude doesn’t guarantee success. You cannot navigate the jobs-cape without a proper plan. Hence, make sure to set clear achievable goals. You could take the help of mentors here.

Sticking to your goals is important but the job market demands are not static. So revisit and revise your goals periodically to keep up with these changes.

2. Build your skillset:

What do you do when your dream job’s description says ‘experienced candidates are preferred’? How do you compete when you are fresh out of college?

You can start by diversifying your skill set. The key is to identify and gain the most market-relevant skills that complement your core expertise. Upskilling courses are a great way to do this — and bonus points if you get hands-on training.

3. Sell your skills:

Once you have acquired a decent skillset, learn how to sell them. To do this, consider taking the ‘problem-solving’ approach:

• Look for problems you would like to solve.
• Think about how you could address them with your skill set.
• Present your proposal to your potential employer.

Learn to accept interview rejection as part of the process. If one recruiter turns you down, move on to the next and try again. Remember to incorporate your learnings from each attempt.

4. Strengthen your communication skills:

Irrespective of your field, having strong communication skills will give you an edge in your career. It is necessary for everything from drafting your resumes and cracking your interview to coordinating with different teams and leading projects in your domain. And the best way to hone your communication skills? Practice.

5. Networking and mentorship:

The LinkedIn profile that you created in college is not merely a rite of passage. You can use it not only to search for career opportunities but also to network with others in your field. Use it to connect with experts and people already placed in the top companies. You could even find mentors through such platforms. Their experiences could give you valuable pointers on the dos and don’ts for a successful career.

6. Create a personal brand:

Your ‘personal brand’ is how people perceive you professionally. Investing time and energy in building a strong and authentic personal brand does wonders for your career. This brand reflects your unique skills, values, and contributions. Once you have a clear idea of your brand, showcase it. This is another place where your LinkedIn account could help.

7. Learn to negotiate:

The utility of negotiation skills isn’t limited to landing the package you seek. It will serve you well throughout your career, from dealing with clients to finding solutions when there are differences of opinion. You can build this skill by starting small. For instance, you could try negotiating the price of your everyday purchases. Then, you could move on to more significant things like a salary hike.

8. Do your homework:

Develop the habit of doing your research. When handed a task, take the time to read up on the industry standards, recent tools and techniques, and other information that could help you with it. Also, feel free to ask the experts for input.

9. Cultivate a leadership mindset:

Irrespective of your job title, you could benefit from a leadership mindset. To do this, you need to adopt the practice of lifelong learning. You should be ready to unlearn and relearn when required. Learn to manage yourself at your tasks. Then move on to being more proactive in team tasks.

10. Update your resume:

Make it a practice to periodically update your resume, irrespective of whether or not you are looking for other job openings. This will help you keep track of your career growth and progress.

In conclusion, a successful career in today’s workplace is not an impossibility. You don’t have to be a corporate genius either. All you need is the right plan, consistency, and confidence in your efforts.

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