Many people have decided to put their careers on hold in 2021 because the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing across the world. The pandemic forced many businesses to freeze recruitment, which means that there are fewer opportunities available and to make their staff members redundant, which means more people are on the lookout for their next job. Then, here are some of the top ways that you can boost your career in 2021, even with the pandemic still at its peak.
Make a Plan
The first step that you should consider taking to boost your career in 2021 is to make a career plan. Although this might not sound like the kickstart that your career needs, taking the time to develop a plan can help you to reflect on your career choice and the next steps that you need to take toward your dream career. This can give direction to your career and can ensure that each action that you make is as purposeful as possible. Then, with a career plan by your side, you will always know the next step that you need to take. However, you should make sure that you have a plan B in case you come across any barriers to your original career plan. For instance, you may want to decide on multiple options for colleges in case you do not get a place in the course of your dreams.
Take an Online Degree
Although many people have decided to take gap years instead of heading straight to university or college this year, the pandemic does not have to stop you from getting the qualifications that you need if you value academic success over the college experience that many people want to have. Therefore, instead of taking a traditional, campus-based qualification this year, you should consider signing up for an online course that can allow you to continue to make progress in your field. By doing this, you will be ensuring that you are ready to take every opportunity that arises once the pandemic is over and jobs in your industry begin to become available again. For instance, at Baylor University, they offer online accelerated BSN nursing programs that can help you to obtain the knowledge that you need to start working in healthcare, even if you have no prior qualifications or experience in the sector.
Create an Online Presence
Although you might not be able to get out and about to make yourself known this year, this does not mean that you cannot take any steps to open the necessary doors until the pandemic is over. Rather than looking to attend interviews and traveling across the country to go to events, you should instead focus on your online presence. Developing a web presence for yourself in 2021 will allow you to start to make a name for yourself within the industry, even if you are at the very start of your career ladder. You can do this by creating a social media page and account for yourself on platforms such as Twitter. This will allow you to interact with industry professionals from all over the world and to keep up with what is going on within your industry. This can help you to develop vital contacts that you may need to utilize at a later date.
Not only should you build your online presence on public social media websites, but you should also consider signing up to business social media platforms such as LinkedIn, which have been specially developed to help people to connect with industry leaders and to progress their careers through the art of networking.
Retrain in Thriving Sectors
Although you might be determined to thrive in the career role that you have always dreamed about, the job landscape is constantly changing, and this constant change has been heightened due to COVID-19. Then, you should consider retraining in thriving sectors, especially if your industry is still not showing signs of being back up and running in the foreseeable future. For instance, the healthcare industry is still trying to overcome a skills gap and the problems of an aging workforce even amid coronavirus, which has led to a large shortage of trained employees. Not only this, but the number of available tech jobs has also increased recently since many people are now starting to use IT and technology in every aspect of their lives.
Start Your Own Projects
If numerous lockdowns and canceled events have given you more time to spare, you should consider using this time to focus on your own projects. For instance, if you want a career in technology, you should consider learning to code or designing your own website, whereas if you want to work in marketing, you might consider starting up your own blog. Not only this, but many people have turned these side projects into businesses in their own right so that they can boost their income in this difficult time.
Update Your Portfolio
The last action you should take to boost your career in 2021 is to update your career portfolio. An impressive and memorable portfolio can often sway a potential employer’s opinion of you and whether you are suitable for the job that you have applied for. Then, you should consider gathering examples of your previous work from side projects, your last job, and even your college or university course, which can exemplify your skills and what you can bring to the table much more than a piece of paper can.
You should also spend the time updating your resume, as the pandemic may have changed your experience or even the different skills that you have available in your repertoire. If you have been unemployed during the pandemic, you may also want to show employers how you have filled the employment gap in your CV. Showing potential employers you have used this time productively will ensure that this acts in your favor when it comes to your ability to get the job of your dreams.
