If you’re looking for a raise, a promotion, a new job opportunity, or just more satisfaction in your current work, you might be interested in getting significantly better at your current job. Unfortunately, this path of growth isn’t always straightforward.
So what strategies can you implement to get better at your job consistently and reliably?
How to Get Better at Your Job
These are some of the best strategies for getting better at your current job:
- Training and certifications. You may know what you’re doing fairly well, but there are always opportunities to learn new skills, get trained, and earn formal certification in new areas. In many cases, you can get trained and certified in a new skill in a matter of hours or days. For example, you can get aerial lift certification online in just a few hours. Rack up enough of these skills and abilities and you may qualify for a new type of position, or at least stand to make more money.
- Education. You can also pursue ongoing education. Depending on your current position and level of education, that might mean going back for an advanced degree, pursuing continuing education, or simply signing up for classes you feel will be relevant in your professional development. In many cases, your employer can provide you with guidance, and they might even choose to subsidize the cost of your education.
- Cross-training. Failing that, you might consider undergoing cross-training. Essentially, this means training and learning with people in other departments or people with complementary skill sets in your organization. It’s an opportunity to not only polish your own skills come up but also good exposure to other areas of the business so you can better understand and thrive in your position within it.
- Mentorships and shadowing. No matter how knowledgeable and experienced you are, there are going to be people more knowledgeable and experienced than you, both inside and outside your organization. Consider tapping into these people as mentors, or shadow them regularly so you can learn from them. Most advanced professionals are willing to share information with and help younger associates, as long as they engage respectfully.
- Feedback loops. Employee feedback loops are powerful for developing yourself – and securing a stronger position within your organization. Don’t hesitate to provide feedback to your employer about changes that could make you more effective or productive. Simultaneously, proactively seek feedback about your own performance and get advice on how you can be even better. Do this enough, and you’ll stand to grow significantly.
- Diligent practice. As you might imagine, practice is a way to get better at almost anything. As long as you’re focused, deliberate, and methodical about your practice, you should be able to refine your skills and improve your abilities in this position.
- Continued reading and engaging. Other than practice, you should commit to continued reading and engaging in your discourse community. Depending on the nature of your position and industry, you’ll probably have access to books, white papers, interviews, industry studies, and countless other resources.
- Networking and connection. Don’t forget that you can also learn from your peers – and teach them something while you’re at it. Consider expanding your professional network as much as possible and tapping into those new contacts as a way to advance yourself.
The Rewards
There are many good reasons to try and get better at your job, including:
- Money. There are many ways to position yourself for a raise (and/or higher earnings in the future). But the bottom line is, if you can demonstrate increased value to your employer, you can justify your request. The better you are at your job, and the more things you can do, the more you will qualify for increased earnings both now and in the future.
- Position. Advancing yourself is also a good strategy for moving up the corporate ladder or seeking a new position in a different department. If you want more job mobility, both horizontally and vertically, developing your abilities is the best course.
- Versatility and options. Being more skilled and better-rounded also means having more versatility and more options available to you. You may be satisfied with your job and career trajectory now, but the more skills you have, the more options you’ll have in the future if you change your mind.
- Confidence and competence. Finally, being better at your job makes you feel better and more engaged with your work. Although this is subjective, it can have a powerful effect.
As long as you put in the effort, you should be able to continue getting better at your job. As you do, you’ll be in line for a multitude of rewards, from greater earnings to greater confidence.
