“How do you stay up-to-date in your current field or profession?” This question is commonly asked in job interviews. It also relates to one of the key Career Readiness Competencies, “Career & Self-Development,” and it is essential to career success in order to maintain a strong knowledge base in today’s fast-paced job market. Career Readiness Competencies relate to the top areas of proficiency demonstrated by college graduates for success in the workplace and lifelong career management (naceweb.org/career-readiness-competencies), according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE also officially defines Career & Self-Development as the ability to “proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within one’s organization.” Today’s employers expect professionals to manage their own careers, demonstrating the ability to be intrinsically motivated, proactively seeking out opportunities for professional growth, and actively setting related goals while seeking feedback for improvement. It is quite common for employers to ask staff members, as well as for employers to ask job candidates, to respond to questions about specific instances where professional development behaviors have been exhibited.
When examining sample behaviors with which to engage to showcase career and self-development, it is important to consider your overall professional goals, both long and short-term, as well as key interest areas within your profession. For example, graduates with an Accounting Degree with interest in working in Public Accounting may decide to pursue their C.P.A., while graduates with a Human Resources degree may choose to complete SHRM Certification. There are also a number of sample behaviors to consider when highlighting this prominent Career Competency. Some sample behaviors which reflect the Career Competency of Career & Self-Development include:
- Displaying awareness of one’s own strengths and opportunities for development. Requesting ongoing feedback from supervisors and colleagues may be very beneficial with this process. Conducting 360-Degree evaluations in collaboration with your annual performance review may assist you with developing a more comprehensive understanding of areas in which you excel, as well as areas for improvement.
- Developing short and long–term goals for one’s future. Documenting short and long-term goals in SMART Goal format will provide you with a roadmap, as well as tangible methods to implement, when pursuing each step of your professional journey.
- Seeking and embracing development opportunities. Scheduling meetings with leadership and emphasizing your desire to learn new skills/take on new projects on a regular basis will allow you to continue to develop new expertise while displaying your proactive approach to progressing in your field. You may also consider scheduling meetings with colleagues and/or professionals in other departments for job shadow opportunities or possible chances to complete side projects to expand your experience. If a colleague on your team is going to be out of the office for an extended leave, you may offer to cover some of their projects to expand your experiential base as well.
- Establishing and maintaining professional relationships with people who may assist one professionally. Becoming familiar with key professional associations related to your field and joining some of interest will allow you to not only stay current in your field knowledge, but will also allow for unique networking opportunities. You may also consider viewing your city’s Chamber of Commerce website for any possible upcoming mixers or events where you may be able to network with key business professionals in your geographic area. In addition, leveraging LinkedIn by using such features as the Alumni Tool to seek out other WGU students and graduates and scheduling informational interviews will allow you to expand your network while learning valuable first-hand knowledge from others in the field. Further, joining WGU student organizations may allow you to expand your network and learn from those in your discipline as well.
- Professionally advocating for yourself and others. Completing actions such as documenting your accomplishments on a monthly or regular basis while including any related data/numbers to support your results will provide tangible evidence related to your performance. In addition, volunteering to train others on your team and providing expertise to those who seek out such knowledge may be a way to advocate for yourself and others at the same time. Further, asking to take on additional projects to learn new skills and inquiring about ways in which to build your leadership experience may also display your desire to grow and promote your wish to progress.
Devising, executing, and articulating a multi-faceted approach to Career & Self-Development will show employers and others in your profession that you are committed to lifelong learning and professionalism. Considering these important strategies may also provide a competitive edge over others in your field, and may foster greater engagement and satisfaction in your chosen profession. If Career and Professional Development may be assistance with devising your Career & Self Development strategy, please feel free to contact us.
