Exploring Workplace Opportunities

As the new year approaches, we’re thinking about ways to engage in professional exploration–about how to take the skills you’ve already cultivated and turn them into opportunities. While you may not be currently working at your “dream job,” it’s important to remember that every position you work has the potential to grow your skill set. Make sure to also keep in mind the fact that there’s no such thing as a perfect job! No matter the company or role in which you find yourself working, there will inevitably be challenges along the way. The key factor is how you draw from your personal strengths to navigate those experiences. And you can take the mindset you develop as a result with you to any new opportunity. To best equip yourself to tackle a new role at your workplace, check out these tips and tricks from the pros below.

We love this suggestion from Ximena Vengoechea at Fast Company: “TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. Just as you would while preparing for a job interview, sit down and log your strengths and weaknesses. Has your team actually seen the full breadth of your skills? Do they know what you’re capable of? Are you actively utilizing your strongest skills, or are they being underleveraged? Sometimes assets are hidden inside what appear to be disadvantages. Maybe you’ve been harping on the fact that you’re the youngest on your team–does that also make you the most social-media-savvy? Consider your strengths and weaknesses from all angles. You need to understand them better before stepping up to show your team more of what you’ve got.” As you seek to explore new opportunities, remember past accomplishments. And also note how your areas of opportunity have manifested amidst previous circumstances. Take time, too, to create an action plan of concrete steps for how you’ll strengthen those areas should you be offered the opportunity to step into a new role at your workplace. This will best allow your set of unique professional strengths to shine! 

Vicky Oliver at Lifehack also offers up this excellent method: “Cultivate Excellent Listening Skills. Listen well, and ask great questions. Realize that people love to talk about themselves. But if you’re a superb listener, others will confide in you, and you’ll learn from what they share. You may even find out something valuable about your own prospects in the company. If others view you as even-minded and thoughtful, they’ll respect your ideas and, in turn, listen to what you have to say.” Listening to others is a surefire way to strengthen your workplace community, which is a surefire way to impress your bosses and coworkers alike. Make sure you’re actively listening, taking into account Vicky Oliver’s suggestion to not just listen but also ask questions. And know that recognizing that you aren’t the biggest authority on every single component of your job isn’t a weakness–that self-awareness and willingness to learn are actually strengths! Take the time to listen and incorporate what you’ve learned from those around you in your professional environment before you speak, and your employers will see that you’re ready to take on new opportunities.

As you begin to form your list of New Year’s resolutions, make sure to include professional goals! Instead of allowing yourself to get overly comfortable and complacent, let the spirit of exploration inspire you. Use your strengths as a springboard while also keeping in mind the need to elevate your weaknesses to the same level as the areas where you truly shine. A great way to make strides towards your goals is by actively listening to those around you and absorbing the feedback from those outside eyes. Listening will also allow you deeper insights into your workplace that you can also utilize when you’re making the case to your employers for why you’re equipped (and the best pick!) to explore new professional opportunities. So keep striving! And join us again tomorrow as we finish out the week with our Feel Good Friday: Explore edition.

Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public domain.

This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston