It’s a new year and a fresh start to set and reach your career goals! Your goals should be realistic, measurable, and specific to be successful. If you want to grow your professional life and grow in your career, we suggest making these five goals in 2021.

Learn a New Skill

While the learning curve never ends, if you’ve felt like your career has hit a wall, it is probably time to learn a new skill or earn a certification related to your industry. There are many free or low-cost options available for learning a new skill or getting a certificate. You can find digital training, watch a webinar, complete an online course, or in some cases, even attend a physical event.

Learning new skills is an excellent way of standing out to your employer that you’re actively looking to grow your career and that you are willing to take on new experiences to improve yourself and the organization’s performance.

Create Your Personal Brand

A personal brand is how you present yourself to an employer or potential employer professionally. It will set you apart from other workers in your organization or other candidates in your job search.

To create your personal brand, you’ll need to first determine who you are professionally, how you provide value, define what you want to accomplish, and start treating yourself as your brand. Not sure how to how to start creating your personal brand? Check out our previous blog!

Improve Your Soft Skills

You already know how important it is to have proficient technical skills to do your job well, but do you know soft skills are just as important? Make one of your 2021 career goals improving your soft skills.

Soft skills include communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, time management, etc. These soft skills help you in your career since you’ll be able to interact with others in the workplace better and find new ways to innovate.

Invest in Professional Development

We mentioned earlier, there are plenty of free or low-cost options available for learning a new skill or earning a certification; however, if you really want to level up and grow in your career, consider making one of your goals investing in professional development.

This may be going back to school for a degree, going to a conference (when it is safe to do so again), taking online courses, or completing training related to your field or industry. In some cases, your company may even be in a position to cover or assist with the costs. However, even if you have to cover the cost yourself, it will pay off in the long run as you will gain the skills needed to take the next step in your career!

Expand Your Network

Our final career goal you should make in 2021 is to expand your network. Making more connections is a great way to learn from others, meet more people in your field or industry, and discover new opportunities.

Whatever triumphs or challenges come our way in 2021, focus on these goals for your professional life, and your career will be positively impacted. Focus on making your goals specific, measurable, timely, and realistic, and you’ll be well on your way to crushing your career in the new year!

About EG Workforce Solutions

We’ve been in this business for decades and have developed a deep network of professional connections. Whether they’re companies looking for talent, job seekers looking for work, or an up-and-coming store in need of some temporary help, we know the right people to bridge the gap between the hiring and the hired.

But what’s more, we get to know people. From employers hiring to candidates looking, we take the time to listen and learn. We hear your likes, talents, and needs. We gain an understanding, and with it, we’re able to facilitate lasting relationships between businesses and people.