Career progression - top priority

What would you think would be your top priority to boost your career progression?

Maybe you are already reaching for google to search for definitions of the latest buzzwords? Whilst that may, although I do not recommend it, help with including your CV in shortlists where the process is to search for key words, if you add these to your CV. Or help you in your interview if you sprinkle a few in our answers. Although again not to be advocated as I have found whilst conducting hundreds of interviews, it is easy to spot those that just know the words versus those that have actually used the practices and can talk in detail about them.

Perhaps you have done some research and know the skills for your next role. This is good and better if you have organised or taken some training related to these. Often candidates focus on technical skills, and you definitely do need some of these. Don't forget about the soft skills too. At the recent Women in Tech conference I learnt that the most needed skills for 2020 are:

1. Creativity
2. Persuasion
3. Collaboration
4. Adaptability
5. Time Management

My recommendation is that you find a mentor or even better a few mentors. Identify what competencies or skills that you need and seek a person that you trust that you know has these. Being a mentor can consume a lot of time, so it is important that you set out a charter for that relationship such as how often you are going to meet and for how long. Make sure that you choose someone that is going to challenge you and understand that they are not always going to be giving you good news, so make sure it is a professional. Mentors can give you advise, share their own experience, teach you and you will benefit from their learnings.

Whilst training, certification, practical experience are all important to aid your career, firstly thing about who you can find to mentor you.