10 ways to boost your career

Whether it’s getting a payrise, taking on more responsibility or landing a new job, this checklist will help you to boost your career.

There is never a bad time to set yourself new career goals. January is traditionally for making resolutions, but you can apply this checklist any time in the year that feels right for you.

Just be sure of one thing: careers need to evolve, so don’t stay comfortable for too long. Keep pushing yourself and enjoy the results.

1. Feed your CV

Start keeping a ‘full’ CV, a kind of guide to your career that records your skills as you develop them. Update it every month with what you’ve done, what you’ve learnt and what’s been successful.

It’s a good starting point for writing your ‘actual’ CV which should be a more refined version, tailored for particular purposes. A more detailed draft is a useful resource if you’re faced with a promotion or job interview, as you’ll have all your achievements in one place.

When you’re into the full swing of work it’s easy to forget projects you have worked on, as you move on to new ones. You don’t need to be actively looking for a job to have an up-to-date CV, as you never know when an opportunity may arise.

In a demanding job market, your CV needs to be memorable. Its design will play a role in this. Make sure it is clear, legible and reader-friendly.

2. Stay focused on your career goal

If you have a dream job in mind, never lose sight of it.

Keep up-to-date with industry news and developments. Are people recruiting for this kind of position at the moment? Keep hold of adverts, along with the skills and experience they require, and salaries.

If you’re self employed, find out what others in your field are doing. Can you meet up with them and ask for informal advice?

3. Train to gain

Stay ahead of your peers by continuing your education. Why not try some of the free Open University courses available from LearningSpace?

4. Take on a leadership challenge

Find opportunities where you have a chance to lead.

Taking on greater responsibilities often involves becoming a leader. If you’ve never done it before, don’t be afraid to ask other people for advice.

When you start to manage, you also learn a lot about your own strengths.

5. How can you get paid more?

Pay rises aren’t handed out on plates, but you can encourage one to come your way. The most satisfying method is by climbing up another rung or two of your career ladder and getting a promotion.

If you’re lucky, your boss may spot your evolving talents, but you can also make them aware of your progress by requesting regular meetings. Keep a portfolio of the evidence that shows your successes and why you deserve to go to the next level.

Cast your net further and apply for new jobs of a higher level. If you’re self employed, what step do you need to take to expand? Maybe you need to take on staff, or pay for a course that will equip you with new skills?

6. Find a creative buddy

Whether it’s office gossip or backstage banter, always talk to your colleagues.

As well as general chit-chat, find a person that you can hook up with more frequently. Motivate each other, swap lunches, meet up outside of work.

Have someone there you can turn to on a tough day, who understands where you’re coming from.

It’s much more healthy to keep work issues contained than take them home with you.

7. Share your skills and knowledge

Train a colleague in your job, then spend a day learning what they do. You will immediately increase your knowledge.

Is there another part of your industry or sector that you want to know more about? Or perhaps there’s someone in your team who does things that are of interest to you? These are the kinds of people to track down and ‘share’ knowledge with.

8. Have a virtual 'detox'

De-toxing paper work, whether virtual or not, is a good way to ease your way back into work after a break.

Start with your emails. Archive them into folders rather than deleting them, as they are a good trail for colleagues if you’re away or leave a position. Move messages into the folders as you read them rather than having a clogged-up inbox.

If you use paper systems, store them in a classification system that suits you, whether by date or alphabetical order. Keep an in-tray to place papers as they come in and file them whenever you have a spare moment.

You don’t need an office job to find these methods useful. Even artists and creative people have paperwork!

9. Maintain (or start) your networks

Get back in touch with ex-colleagues and let them know how you’re doing. Drop an email or give them a call, let them know how you are, then add on some information about where you are in your career and what you are looking forward to doing next.

Explain that you’ve had a really successful time where you have achieved particular goals, but are now looking forward to a new challenge and are looking for opportunities. If they know of anything, ask them to let you know. It will show you are serious about your career and that you appreciate their advice.

10. Be happier

No one likes grumpy colleagues.

If you can maintain a good mood at work, no matter how frustrated you feel, you’ll become the person everyone likes. This will make you, and your working environment, happier.

Create habits like taking lunch in particular places on certain days, work away from your usual spot, or alter your route into work.

If you work from home, vary your views by hanging different pictures or changing the room fragrance.