As the new year dawns you may be starting to think about how you can accelerate your career in 2017. We want to help! WeAreTheCity has a long history in promoting the fact that great career opportunities don’t just land on your doorstep by accident. Getting ahead is not just about being good at your job, there are many other aspects you need to consider in order to gain the skills you need to grow and fulfil your full potential. Whatever your career goals may be, you can almost guarantee they are going to take a bit of time, self-motivation and in some circumstances financial investment.
For the past eight years we have been collating the resources and information you might need to drive your career forward. No google searching for you! it is all at your fingertips via WeAreTheCity.
See below for a few ideas and prepare to take action!
Networks, networks & more networks
We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to have a great network of contacts. If you are looking to build your network and learn new skills at the same time, check out our exclusive networking directory here.
Take action: Join a career support/industry network in 2017
Attending events
WeAreTheCity’s calendar is updated daily with amazing events/conferences/workshops that enable you to develop both professionally and personally. Attending these events is also a great opportunity to build your network! Access the calendar here
Take action: Attend at least one networking event per month in 2017
Further education or training
You may be considering further education in order to make that next career move. We work with a number of business schools such as CASS and Oxford Said. All of these business schools run open days and public courses to enable you to find out about their MBA’s and other corporate education opportunities. See the next event at CASS here.
Take action: Think about what additional qualifications you may need to achieve in order to take the next step in your career and research/enquire about those opportunities.
Find a mentor or coach
You won’t get there on your own! Sometimes we need the help of others to see the wood for the trees, check our Coaches directory or as an alternative, think about individuals around you that could potentially mentor you on a particular skill.
Take action: Map out what you need to learn and think of who you know who may be able to mentor you. If your contact list is light, then you may need to increase your networking activities
Your online footprint
January is the time to ensure that your career armoury is intact. This means reviewing your CV and removing the stuff that is no longer relevant, updating your LinkedIN Profile and asking for (and writing) those overdue recommendations. Writing yourself a short bio or summary CV is also another good way to capture your key achievements. One thing that people sometimes forget to do is ensure they have decent headshots. You can get these easily from Snappy Snaps, however if you want a full portfolio, we recommend the Headshot Guy. Whilst a full portfolio is a significant investment, if you are serious about raising your profile, decent photos are a must.
Take action: Update your LinkedIN profile adding anything new and removing anything old that no longer shapes your career aspirations or path
Returning to the workplace
There are lots of opportunities for individuals who are looking to return to the workplace after a career break. Check out the latest returner programme opportunities from our clients here.
Take action: If you are a returner, visit our returners section for a list of current opportunities from FDM, Worldpay and Mizuho and apply
Joining WeAreTheCity’s Careers Club
WeAreTheCity have been running their careers club for just over 18 months. The club is for individuals who really want to push their careers forward. By joining the club, you get access to our online library of career support courses, articles and videos, plus you get to attend our quarterly skills events for free. You can find out more about Careers Club here.
Take action: Join up or attend one of our Careers Club events next year to see if this is the right learning/support network for you
Setting your career strategy and goals
What cannot be measured, doesn’t get done! If you are serious about wanting to map out your career strategy, why not join our first Careers Club event of 2017. Planning and Goals is taking place on 8 Feb 2017 at AON with WeAreTheCity’s founder, Vanessa Vallely. Limited guest places available, book here
Take action: Sign up for our next Careers Club session, Planning and Goals
Giving Back
At WeAreTheCity we encourage all of our members to give back to others. There are a number of organisations and charities that are crying out for the skills we take for granted (be they business or corporate). If you are interested in doing something for your community, be it a trustee position on a charity or as a school governor, please check out the links below.
You can also check out our Giving Back section for ideas on how to volunteer and support a number of charities
Take action: Investigate areas where you can give back, either internally within your firms or via the links above
Changing Jobs or seeking new opportunities
We now have hundreds of jobs on our sister site, WeAreTheCity Jobs. If you are feeling like it is time for career change, please visit our job board. Remember, if you do not see a role that suits, you can always register for job alerts.
Take action: If you are job seeker, visit WeAreTheCityJobs and search your next career move
Putting yourself/others forward! Are you a Rising Star or do you know one?
Once again WeAreTheCity will be opening for Rising Star nominations on 01 Feb 2017. We are encouraging nominations from all WeAreTheCity members as we shine the light on an additional 100 women in the UK and 50 in India during 2017. You can find out more about the Rising Star awards here.
Take action: Visit the Rising Star Awards website on 03 January to check the entry criteria and available award categories. Nominate yourself or a colleague for a Rising Star award on 01 Feb
Events for your 2017 radar – WeAreFutureLeaders
WeAreTheCity will be running an amazing conference called, WeAreFuture:Leaders on 12 May 2017 at Simmons and Simmons. This full day conference will include inspirational speakers, skills workshops, mentoring and interactive sessions aimed at supporting the next generation of female leaders. More information will be available on WeAreTheCity early January. This event is not to be missed!
We hope that the above gives you some food for thought for your career in 2017! Wishing you all a wonderful new year ahead.
2017 to do list Images courtesy of Shutterstock
