• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

JL CareersJL Career Logo

Your Career Coaching & Leadership Development Partner

604-738-6599info@jlcareers.com
  • Organizations
    • Leadership Development Programs
    • Career Development Programs
    • Career Transition Services
  • Individuals
    • Resume Writing Services
    • Job Interview Training
  • Talks
    • Ignite Your Career
    • Career Planning Conversations: Retaining and Engaging Employees
    • Resume Writing Workshop
    • How to Write a Compelling LinkedIn Profile
    • Job Interview Training
    • Crafting a Compelling Career Brand
  • About
    • Media
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • searchSearch

6 Ways to Take Charge of Your Career

Posted on: May 07, 2016 Category: Blog

Organic job advancement can happen, but for most savvy professionals, moving up in the ranks requires strategic planning. If you’re in the same place today as you were a year ago, your progression could be floundering. Avoid becoming stagnant with these six tips for taking control of your career in 2016.

1. Identify your professional goals

With the start of the New Year, set aside time to take stock of your intentions. Does success in 2016 mean getting a new job, learning a new skill, or mastering a new technology? Write down your goals and make specific plans for meeting them.

2. Analyse your current work situation

Reflect on your current work situation. Have you become too comfortable in your organization? Are you learning new skills? Have you taken on new challenges? Are you adding value to the organization, or just coasting?  Is there a fear you could become obsolete?  According to Business in Vancouver, “If you aren’t learning anything new or taking on any new challenges, your marketability to other potential employers may be at risk.”

3. Advance your skill set

Give your career a boost by learning new essential job skills. Identify skills you need to develop or sharpen this year. Maybe its time to get your MBA, PMP (Project Management Certification), or attend an industry conference. TheLadders advises that you “review your most recent performance review and talk with your manager to find out which skills you should build or improve to advance at your company.”

4. Capitalize on new trends

In the workplace, specialization can lead to growth. However, specializing too narrowly may severely limit your opportunities for moving ahead. It’s important to regularly evaluate the landscape and make adjustments, so your skillset doesn’t become obsolete.

5. Build a Career Roadmap to support your goals

Within the next 30 days, set your career goals for 2016 with your longer term objectives in mind. Forbes recommends you create a career roadmap to support your success: “A smart person will have a long-term career plan, which focuses on where they want to arrive at the pinnacle of their career, as well as the interim steps they’ll need to take in order to get there.”

6. Get expert help

Feeling you’ve hit that ‘glass ceiling’ or are stuck in a career rut?  Get outside advice from a career coach. A career expert will have insights on how to navigate uncharted waters, identify options and develop strategies to advance your career.

Will your career take off this year? Your success depends on investing time and energy in tasks like setting goals, analyzing your work situation, capitalizing on new trends, identifying viable markets, learning new skills and getting help when necessary.  Then you can take charge of your career and drive your career success.

Author: Joanne Loberg of JL Careers Inc. is a Certified Executive Coach and Internationally Certified Career Management Professional. Copyright JL Careers Inc.  All rights reserved.

New Year! New Start! Take Charge of your Career

Is this your year for a career change?  Launch on the right foot with the job search tools you need to grab hiring managers’ attention.  From Executive and Professional Resumes to Compelling LinkedIn Profiles and Interview Coaching, JL Careers is here to help you land a great new career opportunity.

Connect today for a complimentary 30 minute telephone consultation to position yourself for success!

Wishing you much career success ,

Joanne Loberg
Certified Executive Coach & Internationally Certified Career Management Professional
JL Careers

  • Share this on:

    Read more in:

    Read Article

    Keeping Your Talent – Career Conversations Pave the Way!

    Posted In: Blog

    More than half (52%) of North American employees plan to look for a new job this year (Source: [...]

    Read Article

    Read Article

    Is it Time to Change your Career?

    Posted In: Blog

    How do you know when it's time to make a career change? Are you antsy, bored, overwhelmed, or [...]

    Read Article

    Read Article

    Career Conversations: Retaining & Engaging your Employees

    Posted In: Blog

    Canadian Association of Government Finance Officers (CAGFO) Annual Conference - Break Out SessionOctober 1, 2021 Fortune Magazine reports [...]

    Read Article
    Back to Blog

    SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES

    Receive our monthly newsletter with valuable career tips.

    Sign Up Now
    © 2025 JL Careers Career Coaching and Development | Vancouver, BC. All rights reserved. Website by Ambr Digital

    SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES

    Receive our monthly newsletter with valuable career tips.