Market Yourself Professionally
You’re stepping forward into the professional world. A world of connections, networking, reputations and who-knows-who. To prepare yourself professionally, it is best to market your name and image, as it will benefit you and your professional career.
Join a Professional Association
Joining a professional association will directly tie you with people in your career and profession. This could be as simple as joining a group on LinkedIn or a group in your community. This will give you the opportunity to expand your network and assist you in your current position by bringing more awareness to you and your company.
Attend Conferences
Be sure to attend conferences and workshops to help expand your skills and keep you informed about the latest news in your professional career.
Networking will increase as you meet people and interact at events and conferences. Be sure to stay in contact with the professionals you meet. A simple email every few months, just to stay connected, goes a long way. Remaining in touch keeps you at the top of mind in your network. A live and active network is crucial in developing career insurance. Should you look for another position, this could become valuable in your search.
Volunteer
Volunteer in your community; it could be from something small and local to something greater on a national scale. It’s rewarding to be a part of an organization that helps the community and works for a cause. People volunteer their time and you never know who you will meet.
Companies like employees who take the time to give back to the community. Not only does this help your reputation, but it also builds the reputation of the company you represent.
Keep an Eye Out
Not to forget the obvious, but be sure to keep an eye on job postings and job boards.
You might enjoy your job now and wonder why you should keep looking for a new one, but it’s important to always be one step ahead in case things aren’t working out in your current position. Should you find yourself in an unfortunate circumstance, you’ll be able to move forward and already know what companies you’d like to consider applying for.
When you see a position that piques your interest, look at your expanding network. Do you know anyone who works at that company? Contact them and find out if the job really is something you would be interested in and worth your time to apply.
ISGF is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
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