Ask Chloé: Career Advancement
Welcome to the Ask Chloé column on Security Boulevard! Each week, Chloé provides advice to readers’ questions to help guide them as they navigate the technology industry. This week, Chloé helps a reader who’s between jobs and looking to keep their skills sharp while gaining knowledge and expertise.
Dear Chloé,
I’m currently between jobs and don’t know what I should be doing. I’m applying for jobs, but other than that, I’m not sure what else I should do. Do you have any tips on how to advance myself and my career?
-Unemployed & Ready
Dear Unemployed & Ready,
This is a great question! Usually, when I’m between roles, I try to continue to learn about an area that I’m passionate about or want to improve on. This could be learning new business essentials, new tools or skills. When you’re between jobs, it’s important to focus on what makes you, well, you—and what excites you about the work that you do. Sometimes, that time between jobs is great for deciding if it’s a new role you should try for versus continuing in the same role elsewhere. It’s a moment for pausing and reflecting on what would make you happiest. If the role that you previously did just isn’t doing it for you anymore, it may be a good time to look into other potential roles that may excite you. And, now you have plenty of time to do so!
If that’s the case for you, I highly recommend looking into hiring a career coach or a career counselor depending on what you are hoping to achieve. A career coach works with your strengths and talents and gives you advice on how to move into your next role. A career counselor has more particular knowledge about and experience with a certain industry and can advise you on whether your skillsets match as well as identify potential barriers. Career counselors are wonderful if you are looking to change careers.
If that’s not the case for you, I recommend looking at online courses in areas that excite you and/or areas that you want to improve on. Also, remember to review your résumé and cover letter every now and then and update them with any new information.
Most importantly, this is the time to network, do some freelance gigs and volunteer. Overall, stay busy and remain hopeful—and never stop learning! You got this!
Learn more about the award-winning tech changemaker, Chloé Messdaghi, at https://www.chloemessdaghi.com.
Have a question? Want advice? Submit your anonymous question to Chloé: [email protected].
