If the weather is cold and snowy and you’re stuck at home or you’re currently in a WFH environment due to the pandemic, you may find yourself with some extra time thanks to not having a daily commute.
What can you do to make use of this extra time? If you’re an ambitious person driven to succeed in your career, this could be the perfect time for you to do things at home to build your career. Take a look at four steps that can enhance your career path.
1. Can you further your education?
If you’re working from home right now, it could be a great time to take a CE course. If there’s some type of certificate or license you’ve been eyeing for a while, but you never seemed to have time for, now is the ideal time to make it happen.
From NMLS test prep to wellness-industry certificates, there are various options available out there, whatever your career path may be. Some careers require CE certification or licensing for you to move up in the company or industry. If that’s the case for you, why not get a head start on your future by learning new skills?
2. Does your resume need some updating?
We aren’t just talking about going through and editing your resume. However, that’s definitely something you should be doing if needed. Are there things you can do right now to beef up your resume? Perhaps you can take on some extra work at your current job that will look great on your resume. Another option is to take some time to develop a skill that you’ve put on the back burner. It could be that you’re trying to learn another language as there is a high-demand for bilingual candidates in your specific location and industry. Why not take some time to use language apps or take a language class? This will look great on your resume. If the skill is something that helps you move ahead in your career, trust us, it’s worth it to develop it.
3. Have a unique voice? Consider starting a podcast or writing for a blog
Do you work in something that you love? Are you passionate about what you do and see it as something interesting to discuss with others? Why not start a podcast where you actually get to talk with people-of-interest about these very topics? This can go beyond being a fun hobby or experience for you—it could actually propel you forward in your career. If you’re a bit timid about speaking on a podcast but love putting your thoughts down on paper, consider writing for a blog centered around your topic or industry. You never know where your content could end up being shared.
4. Network
While we may be at home a lot, there are still ways to network. There are countless options for meeting up with like-minded people online, whether it’s through industry meetups or online events. Take time to find networking options in your specific industry. There could be top virtual events that you can attend that will help you get in touch with the right people who can be beneficial to your career. While it’s not a specific business networking tip, you should always continue pursuing your hobbies. You could very well meet your future business opportunity while hitting the gym or out mountain biking with friends.
Final Thoughts
While no one expected the pandemic, we’ve all had to learn to adapt in our social and work life. Building your career from home may seem difficult, but it’s completely possible to enhance your skills and move forward in the industry, regardless of the fact that you may still be in our pajamas as we speak! We’re all in the same boat, so give it a try!
