5 GOALS EVERY CAREER WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

We’ve been speaking to a few career women lately getting promoted is a major goal for 2017! Excellent Promotions mean more responsibilities, more money and better perks, so off course it makes sense for that to be a goal. However, promotions are usually as a result of other more strategic goals you should be thinking about. What do you need to demonstrate before you get considered for the new role? Well here are a few goals to help…..

Goal one- improve capacity

People usually get promoted when they demonstrate the capacity to do more and accept more responsibility. In today’s world, rarely do you get promoted because its your ‘turn’, employers are seeking more ways to get the work done for less, so a sure way to stand out is to improve your capacity and potential. Is your goal to move from the open plan office to a closed door one? Then one of your goals should be to invest in improving yourself. Attend more conferences and personal development workshops (shameless plug). Read more about your area of expertise and take short online courses. Remember to always add these courses to your CV and Linkedin Profile. Your new found knowledge will soon be evident to all and you’ll be inching closer to that corner office.

Goal two- work for a company whose values align with yours

Some people hate what they do. While a few others love their jobs but aren’t too happy about who they are doing it for. This is usually a value mismatch. In most cases it’s because your company either has completely different value priorities or the values which they communicate are not reflected in the day to day decisions of the company. The best way to address this is to first identify what your values are so you can identify if there really is a value mismatch and what you can do about it.

Goal three- Make networking a hobby

Networking isn’t only for entrepreneurs. In 2017 make networking a MAJOR goal. Attend industry events, make meaningful connections with people who work within and outside your sector, join social networking groups with a career focus and make contact with people who work in organisations you would like to work for or who have roles you would like to transition into. Use your networks well. Ask valid questions and offer up useful advice when they need.

Goal four- understand your space

Many career women go to work every day, fulfil their job description and go home. They haven’t invested time to understand how their day to day duties affect the overall growth of the company. This year make it a priority to see the bigger picture with your career. Think beyond yourself. See yourself as part of the soldiers in a huge army and value the work you do as important. The more you understand the bigger picture and how your daily tasks feeds into it, the more pride you are likely to have about the work you do and the more effort you’ll put into it.

Goal five-Work better with your team

This is the year to be a team player. Make an intentional decision to get along with every member of your team. Decide to be the person that empowers everyone, even if you feel they don’t deserve it. Make a mental note to always take the higher ground and not rise to any occasion for negativity. Instead cultivate the habit of encouraging team members and seeing their potential.

Goal six-Find a career mentor

Mentorship is super important for your career. The problem is we sometimes place too much emphasis on physical mentorship. Read books written by people you admire and listen to career themed podcasts by same. The world is a global village, so if Mark Zukerberg is your idle, read up on his interviews and all articles you can find about him and his company.