Career Management Tips for 2015

With the economy improving and a wealth of new job openings, 2015 is a year to pay attention to opportunities for career growth. Whether you are looking to make a major move or just want to keep on the right track, trends point to 2015 being a year of opportunities. Here are a few career management tips to help you use your opportunities to the fullest.

Take Advantage of a Candidate's Market

The end of 2014 saw the unemployment rate drop to 2008 levels. According to the Labor Department, over 200,000 jobs were added in December 2014 alone, and the rate of job growth is outpacing most economic predictions. If you plan on changing jobs or careers, this is an optimum time to move into a new position. If you are content with your current employer, watch for growth inside the company and corresponding opportunities to move up internally.

Increase Your Networking Efforts

The latest trend in hiring is a return to a more personal approach to the recruiting process. Applicant tracking software has run its course, and many companies are seeing the benefits of a more relationship-based hiring approach. This is the time to focus on networking. Each new professional contact is a possible future employee referral. Networking within your company ensures that you are thought of when opportunities arise. Stay consistent in your professional demeanor, and do not be afraid of networking with those in higher positions. Regularly interacting with the best talent provides many opportunities for career growth. Learn from the best, and emulate those key skills that seem to propel your mentor's success.

Cultivate a Quality Social Media Presence

Social media is more important than ever in the business arena. Keep your professional profiles professional and up-to-date. Spend some time working on your personal brand. Let your online presence show the things that make you unique and great at what you do. Work to bring online professional contacts into your face-to-face social group for even more career growth potential. Schedule meet-ups for people who work in the same industry or in the same position. Plan coffee dates with interesting network prospects. Do not be afraid to let your personal and professional networks mesh as long as you stay consistent in your behavior.

Stay Up-to-Date

Career growth in the 21st century demands a familiarity with the latest technology. Mobile technology, in particular, is crucial for career growth in most fields. More and more recruiting efforts take place online, and a fast mobile device is essential to keeping up. As technology use seeps into more positions, keeping your tech skills up-to-date vastly improves your job choices. If you find yourself falling behind, work to correct your weaknesses. Consider taking a course to bolster your abilities, or practice at home to stay at the top of your game.

After you decide where you want to go, 2015 is a great time to focus on career management by seeking a new position or working to move up with your current employers. Active networking, a professional social media presence and top-notch technology skills are all important for career growth. Strive for a unique personal brand, and share it with as many colleagues as possible to take full advantage of the opportunities that come your way.

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