7 Things You Can Do to Boost Your Career in 2019

January is typically the time when we make promises to ourselves — and perhaps others — about things we’d like to change in our lives. Whether those changes are personal or professional, large or small, it’s an opportunity to review our work life, wipe the slate clean and list the things we’d like to improve or do better.

As Global Head of Talent for Cloud Infrastructure Services at Capgemini, I’ve seen a huge shift over the last decade in the way that businesses view and value their employees. There are numerous examples, but two really stand out for me. The first is that employers are keen to offer employees more flexible ways of working, supporting a work/life balance that suits both parties. What a positive change for all concerned! The other is that employers are incredibly focused on developing, nurturing, motivating and engaging their employees. They genuinely recognise employees as their most valuable asset — another great result!

However, employees interested in improving their career prospects can't rely solely on their employers to do the heavy lifting — they'll also need to take a proactive role in their own professional development.

So what’s my advice for boosting your career in 2019?

1. Be Brave!  Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Yes, putting yourself in a position where you don’t feel comfortable is not easy — but if you’re looking for a promotion or want greater responsibility, then one of the best ways of achieving this is to push yourself beyond your typical norm. In doing this, not only will you exceed your own expectations, but your efforts will be noticed across the wider organisation, and that will be reflected in opportunities that you never thought possible. We are all guilty of imposter syndrome from time to time — so believe in yourself!

2. Find a Mentor

If you’ve just been promoted, or if you simply want someone who can support your development and positively challenge you in parallel to your regular performance reviews, a mentor can be a great option. They will be able to provide you with a different — and often extremely valuable — perspective on specific scenarios or challenges. Perhaps you’re new to managing a team or are working within a different geography. Having someone who you can ask questions of, and learn from in a more informal setting, can be invaluable. It also shows a personal desire and willingness to develop and grow in your role... and don’t forget to pay back the favour by mentoring the next generation yourself!

3. Create a Positive Work/Life Balance

Mental health has quite rightly moved up the agenda in recent times with businesses keen to ensure that employees have the support they need. When considering prospective future employers, take time to assess the wider employee benefits they offer. For example, health and wellbeing portals and related internal/external resources and policies specifically dedicated to ensuring an effective work/life balance. Have a look at benefits such as holiday trading which allow you to manage your life in a way that works best for you AND the business. Take the time to find the organisation that best suits you and your needs.

4. Invest in Yourself

At Cloud Infrastructure Services, we created 80,000 additional learning hours for our employees last year. Many businesses find ways to ensure employees have a variety of learning opportunities — whether it be by hosting a week of dedicated learning opportunities for every employee in the business (desk-based, via webinars), inviting key talent onto specific training programmes in order to upskill or supporting role-related certification. If you want to develop your career, then you need to find an organisation that is committed to the development of its employees and can provide examples of the training on offer. 

5. Practice Mindfulness

Adults today typically spend over a day a week online (over 24 hours) and the opportunity to be ‘switched on’ at all times has never been greater. For greater productivity in 2019, try and carve out some time each day when you turn off. Some find it easier to do that first thing in the morning before getting embroiled in the daily email trail, others prefer the middle of the day to provide an opportunity to recharge. Whatever works for you, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to be permanently online to be productive — and for those of you who want to go a step further, what about leaving your phone at home when you go on holiday and having a proper digital detox?

6. Find an Organisation Whose Values Mirror Your Own

One of the ways to use Glassdoor to its full potential is through its company reviews tool, looking at what current and past employees have said about an organisation you are thinking about joining. A key consideration for many prospective employees is business values. What is it they stand for? Are those values shared by their employees? Do they feel proud to support those values and are those values reflected in everything they do? Finding a business that aligns with your own values can lead to a more enjoyable work life because you’re working for a business that does things your way.

7. Develop Your Personal Brand

The idea of a personal brand is not a new one, but it is an idea that has been gaining momentum over recent years, particularly with the growth of social media.  Your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. Essentially, it’s who you are and what you stand for and at its most basic level — it’s understanding your values, your ambitions and how you want to be seen.

So, for 2019, carve out some time to think about what it is you want to achieve professionally. Then use the tips above as a starting point to help you achieve your personal career goals. Good luck!