3 Steps to Advance Your Career at any Stage

3 Steps to Advance Your Career

AT ANY STAGE

A lot has changed since 2019, including the job market. Many people were made redundant during the pandemic, others used government-mandated shutdowns to reassess their professional lives, while some older workers moved up their retirement plans.

“We’ve lost a fairly substantial amount of our workforce, not just in terms of people, but also in terms of expertise and experience,” says Alison Adair, Communications Manager at Western Continuing Studies. “Workplaces are bringing in a much younger generation.”

Recent graduates may leave school with top credentials but often lack the know-how to lead a team or manage a complicated project. “That usually comes through work experience,” she says. “We have seen a huge uptake in people new to the workforce taking courses to strengthen those soft skills.”

People looking to advance or change direction are also turning to Western Continuing Studies to gain a competitive advantage in today’s job market. “They want to continue to make themselves relevant and valuable,” says Adair.

Whether you are at the beginning of your professional life, or are looking to make a change, lifelong learning is an investment in your future. Here are three other steps you can take to help advance your career at any stage.

Network

“The first thing I encourage everybody to do is talk to other professionals in their field of interest,” says Ashleigh Lerch, Work Integrated Learning Coordinator at Western Continuing Studies. “Through talking to people, you will gain information about career options and opportunities. It can be a powerful job search strategy.”
While many find networking intimidating, Lerch says it’s a skill that can be learned. “The more you do it, the more confident you will feel,” she says.

Lerch suggests starting with people you already know, such as a family member, a friend’s parent, or a Western Continuing Studies instructor. “Our instructors can be a great source of career advice,” agrees Adair. “They are all industry experts.” Fellow Western Continuing Studies students can also become an important part of your informal network. “Your peers likely come from a diverse set of industries and backgrounds,” Adair notes. “I hear constantly from students who have made valuable connections within their course.”

An easy way to expand your reach is to attend career fairs and other events at Western University. “Our Post-Degree students have access to everything on main campus,” says Lerch. “The professionals who attend these events are happy to answer your questions.”

LinkedIn is another place to network with people already working in your field of interest. “Again, start with the people you have a connection to,” Lerch suggests. As a Western student, that can include Western alumni. “I always tell students to reach out to as many people as you are comfortable with, because you are not going to hear back from everybody,” she cautions. Ask for a 10-minute conversation. “And remember, you are asking for advice. You are not asking for a job, or for them to submit a resume on your behalf.”

Understand Yourself

Whether you’re a recent graduate, or are making a mid-life career change, Lerch says it’s crucial to understand what type of role will be a good fit. “What are your interests? What are your values? What are your strengths? What kind of professional identity are you looking for?” she asks.

Continuing education can be a great way to test the waters, Adair adds. “In addition to learning new skills and earning new professional credentials, you’ll learn about yourself, and open your mind to new possibilities.”

Understanding what makes you tick can help you pursue career opportunities with confidence. “Whether you take some time to reflect, read books, or get some career counselling, understanding your personal and professional goals can help you move forward into a fulfilling career,” Lerch says.

Be Resume Ready

Lerch’s final advice for those looking to advance their career is to have a strong resume, up-to-date LinkedIn profile, and polished interview skills. “You need to be ready for an opportunity when it becomes available because there will be a short window of time for you to put yourself forward as a candidate,” she says.

Pursuing life-long learning can help your resume stand out from the rest, Adair notes. “In addition to earning the credentials, it shows employers that you are willing and able to develop your skills.”

Lerch acknowledges that writing an effective resume can be tricky. “If you give your resume to 100 different people to review, you will get 100 different opinions,” she says.

“Remember that it’s your personal document – so use your discretion.” No matter how you write it, a good resume should be relevant and targeted to the position. It needs to highlight your accomplishments, it needs to look professional, and it needs to be concise. “Most employers still don’t want anything longer than two pages,” she notes.

If you are looking to kick-start your career, Western Continuing Studies offers everything from three-hour Spark Sessions to one-year full-time Post-Degree programs.

“Whether you are at the beginning of your professional life, or are looking for career advancement, one of the best things you can do is take a course,” says Adair. “We have a wide variety of possibilities with something that can fit into any lifestyle.”