Free/DIY Professional Development during The Holidays
Hello, and Happy Holidays to you, 2021 edition!
Ya’ll, listen… I know we are due and deserved of a mental break. I know I do, and I promise you I will be taking one after today. However, if you are like me and let your brain relax anymore than 4-5 days, then I am absolutely useless when I decide to turn my brain back on. If you are okay with that, YGG, you can stop reading here. See you in 2022, or whenever you’re ready to read further! This advice is applicable anytime.
If you are still reading, do yourself a favor and favorite/bookmark this to refer back to. There are some simple things that you can do to keep yourself updated professionally and ready to tackle the world ahead of you. I am a firm believer that where I am now is a direct reflection of decisions that I made 3-5 years ago. Every little bit helps, and it is all about consistency. A simple analogy would be how the health/wellness industry talks about doing a full lifestyle change to accomplish your health/fitness goals. It doesn’t happen overnight and it requires consistency to accomplish larger goals.
On a personal note, there is no SECRET way to me building my career. I just have made it a habit to network, to meet new people, and learn new skills. Remembering them, what they do, what engages them, who they are personally, what it takes to be them. Applying this throughout my career. The part that I have focused on in the past 2 years is how to do this in the digital/virtual world, but then also translating this back into how to be effective in person, as well.
Simply put, in order to this efficiently, you need to figure out how to talk about/sell/market yourself in the professional world. Elevator pitch. Get someone’s interest. Organize your thoughts, have some goals in mind (having a direction is excellent, too). You are a product. How/Why is a product bought? Well on Amazon, it has to serve a purpose, it has to have good reviews, searchable, and available.
Below are simple, free DIY things you can do at your pace to have healthy career habits to stay on top of your professional development to guide you to a consistently healthier professional state.
Organize your email
If you don’t already, my suggestion is to have a personal email, and a professional email. (This doesn’t mean the email you use for work). This is the one you apply to jobs with, work with recruiters, etc. Think of it like this, you have a separate room in your house for certain things, or you have a separate bank account for a certain goal? The same thing.
This is number one on my list because it’s the quickest way for you to feel better and more relaxed. Also allows you to take inventory of what you do/don’t have, and build the rest.
Accept LinkedIn Connection requests
This is pretty simple. Build your digital network!
If you have safety concerns, please refer to some safety best practices
Fluff up your resume. PDF copy, and Word Doc copy.
Did you have an end of year review from your boss/company? Great, let’s translate that to your resume.
Did you get a new job/promotion this year? Add it.
Did you acquire new skills this year? Add it.
Did you finish a project that you’re very proud of? Guess what, add it.
Articles that I like:
Transfer this to your LinkedIn page
Take free online learning courses
Don’t understand something? Take an intro learning course to establish your baseline knowledge. Makes the rest of it less daunting.
Google is a very powerful tool to find things. What are you interesting in learning about? Type that in and end it with “free online course” and then start looking. That’s a GREAT way to start.
Start an audiobook - or two, or three - you can take in a couple of chapters, and come back. Small bites. Eat an elephant one bite at a time.
Set goals for yourself (Think of what your 3-5 years ahead should be)
Who/what do you want to be?
Do you want to be a manager?
Do you want to work remote?
Do you want to work in technology?
Do you want to move to another city?
Virtual coffee “dates” aka virtual networking with those who are you want to be from previous questions.
Weekly / monthly / quarterly professional challenge
