The cornerstone of every good sports team is a strong ‘D’ – for defense. But when it comes to climbing the career ladder, the best defense often comes in the form of another ‘D’ – Diversify.
Stability and longevity are both things hiring managers are looking for. But perhaps more importantly, they are also always on the lookout for candidates with a diverse range of experience. Not only have those candidates proven their ability to succeed in a variety of environments, but they have also shown their capacity for adapting. And both of those qualities bode well for your hiring potential.
So beef up your resume by diversifying your experience.
- Expand Your Education: No matter what field you are in, there are almost always opportunities for continued education. That doesn’t necessarily mean pursuing another degree. It could be as simple as taking a new certification course or working to acquire new skillsets. Particularly in the unmanned and robotics industry, technology is always changing and there are forever new advancements to be made aware of. Keeping up on your education within the field can go a long way to proving your value as an employee.
- Volunteer For Experience Building Opportunities: Don’t get stuck on the idea of what your job should entail – always be looking for opportunities to expand that reach. Not every task will be fun or exciting, but volunteering to take on some of the less desirable job duties increases your skillset, your marketability and your experience. Experience that can show your range when presented alongside your typical duties on a resume.
- · Make Lateral Moves: When imagining your 5- or 10-year plan, it is easy to picture consecutive steps up. But every move doesn’t have to be ascending in order for it to be career building. Sometimes, an opportunity that provides the same level of pay, or even involves the same job title, can mean greater potential, exposure and responsibility. A lateral move can give you new experience, increase your networking opportunities and make you the kind of employee supervisors think of the next time a move up does become available. Under the right circumstances, even a move that does not seem initially lucrative could open up doors you never would have found if you had stayed in the same position waiting for the next step up.
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