Career Advice

When looking for career advice, you have a lot of options.  

• You can look online for sites (like this one) that offer career tips and industry-specific guidance. Many articles, podcasts and webinars on this site share valuable insights and job advice. 
• Find a mentor in your field or in a company like the one you hope to join and learn how they built their career. Leverage social media and other networking means to reach out and build these relationships. 
• Go to networking events in your industry and meet new people in your field. Ask professionals who have been there and done that for advice on how to reach your career goals. 
• Consult a professional career counselor who can offer personalized advice and help you with your job search, résumé and interview skills. 
• A professional search firm can give you in-depth job advice based on their access to market, industry and job candidate data. For example, a search firm might have unique insights into job openings, skill requirements and industry trends. A firm’s professional consultants can advise you on a company’s hiring process and coach you on how to ace an interview. A search firm can also help you identify your strengths and find opportunities that align with your career goals.

There’s no one “right” way to move your career forward. The right answer for you depends on your career aspirations. No matter what your goals are, here are four ways to start advancing your career today. 

• First, look for opportunities to develop new skills. Identify what skills are in demand in your industry and figure out how to build them. You might attend a workshop or conference or even pursue an advanced degree or certification. 
• Next, build your personal brand. Think about what defines you: who you are, what values matter to you and how you communicate all of these things to others in the workplace. Think about what experiences you’ve had, what motivates you to work and what types of tasks bore you or tire you out. Then come up with an elevator pitch: a 30- to 60-second summary of who you are that you can share with new people that you meet. 
• After you plan your elevator pitch, it’s time to start networking. Reach out to people who have experience in your field by attending industry events and joining professional associations. Tell people that you’d like to learn more about their career and ask them whether they’d be willing to offer you guidance and even be a mentor. 
• Finally, ask for new responsibilities at work. For roles that you find interesting, let your boss and colleagues know that you’re looking for opportunities that will stretch your skills. Seek new tasks and projects in your current role that will help you develop new competencies and demonstrate your value.

The first step in any job search is to figure out your career goals. Consider what you’re looking for in your next job—and, just as importantly, what you aren’t looking for. Answering these questions can narrow your focus and target your search. 

Next, check your credentials. When was the last time you looked at your résumé? Updated your LinkedIn profile? Make sure your credentials are up-to-date and reflect your experiences and skills. Consider asking people to give you recommendations that you can share online. 

Then start searching. Look for openings on company websites, job search websites and even social media. A professional search firm can conduct targeted searches and polish your cover letter and résumé so you put your best foot forward. 

Once you’ve targeted your search and set up your credentials, start networking. You never know who might have intel about an opportunity that would appeal to you. Let people know that you’re in the market for a new role and share details so they can help widen your search. 

Finally, prepare for your interviews. Don’t go in for an interview cold; spend time beforehand researching the prospective employer. Rehearse your answers to common questions, particularly ones that address your strengths and accomplishments, and be prepared to explain why you’re a good fit for the job.

If you’re interested in making a breakthrough in your career, a career coach can accelerate your progress and help you reach your full potential.  

You can ask people in your network for recommendations or search online for career coaches who specialize in your industry. You could also consider a service like Korn Ferry Advance, which offers personalized career coaching and tools. A monthly subscription to Korn Ferry Advance gives you access to certified career coaches with decades of expertise at every level, across every industry and in all functional areas. In your one-on-one sessions with your coach, you’ll be able to ask questions, review your career assessment results, update your résumé and LinkedIn profile, prep for interviews and more. 

Plus, Korn Ferry Advance lets you tap into expert job search strategies, online career assessment tests, résumé parsing tools, interview prep tools and much more. Learn more about Korn Ferry Advance here.