5 Strategies to leverage the summer to advance your career
Summer typically brings a slowdown in work pace. The relaxed, sun-soaked days often exude a sense of lethargy, with deadlines easing and many colleagues taking their annual leave. It’s easy to succumb to this wind-down atmosphere, but the outcome is predictable: feeling disconnected from work, eagerly anticipating leisurely pub garden moments daily, only to face an overwhelming workload when temperatures cool.
Rather than yielding to this temptation, the savvy choice is to capitalize on these quieter months to advance your career. This period offers an ideal opportunity for tackling those career development tasks that typically get postponed due to busyness.
Unsure where to begin? Here are 5 suggestions to consider to advance your career.
01. Review your yearly goals
We’re now well past the halfway mark of the year, making this an opportune moment to revisit the goals you set at the beginning of January. Take a moment to acknowledge and check off the goals you’ve achieved.
For those still in progress or not yet started, break them down into smaller tasks that can propel you closer to completion. It’s also possible that circumstances have shifted, rendering some goals irrelevant; in such cases, removing them can help maintain your focus.
As the year progresses, it’s common to experience ebbs in motivation. A brief review of your goals can reignite your drive and help you stay on track to advance your career.
02. Refresh your CV and LinkedIn profile
Many of us only update our CVs and LinkedIn profiles when actively job searching, which can lead to overlooking recent achievements and accrued skills, especially if you’ve been in the same role for an extended period.
Take a moment to review and update both your CV and LinkedIn profile with recent projects, qualifications, and awards. On LinkedIn, ensure your ‘about’ section is complete, update your work history, add any promotions, and showcase relevant certifications in the ‘featured’ section. Utilize features like skill endorsements from past and current colleagues to enhance credibility.
When crafting your CV and cover letter, consider using the XYZ method: describe what you accomplished [X], how it was measured [Y], and what actions [Z] you took to achieve it. This approach effectively communicates not just your responsibilities but also the impact and outcomes, which recruiters across various industries find compelling.
If you’re contemplating a job search or already actively seeking employment, tailor your CV with keywords from job postings to increase visibility to potential employers.
03. Increase your skills and expertise
Whether you’re contemplating a career shift, aiming for a promotion, or simply eager to broaden your knowledge, summer presents an ideal opportunity to embark on a course, pursue a new qualification, or take on additional tasks at work to enhance your capabilities and to advance your career. To get started, consider:
- Assessing your current strengths and areas of expertise.
- Identifying skills that require improvement to achieve your goals.
- Listing skills and knowledge you need to acquire from scratch.
Platforms like Udemy, Future Learn, LinkedIn Learning, General Assembly, and edX offer numerous free courses and workshops to be able advance your career. If you’re interested in paid options, consider discussing with your employer whether there’s a budget available, emphasizing how your learning will benefit the company.
04. Expand your professional network
Take advantage of the pleasant weather by attending in-person networking events or scheduling long-overdue catch-ups with contacts you’ve been meaning to connect with. For those more inclined towards virtual interactions, actively engage in relevant Facebook or WhatsApp groups outside of work by sharing valuable content and offering advice.
If you work in a global organization, advance your career by initiating calls with colleagues from different locations to cultivate relationships that may have been neglected in day-to-day operations.
05. Take time for relaxation to advance your career
Actively prioritizing rest can enhance productivity and even advance your career! Make a deliberate effort to utilize this period for genuine rejuvenation.
- Consider taking some vacation days if you have them remaining.
- Leave work slightly earlier when your daily tasks and meetings are completed.
- Utilize any free time during the day for walks or quick workout sessions, if your schedule allows.
- Schedule dedicated focus time to avoid back-to-back meetings, especially on pleasant days.
Embracing a slower-paced yet more focused summer will replenish your energy reserves, empowering you to finish the year on a strong note.
