Strategies for Leveraging Small Jobs to Launch Your Dream Career

Every single work experience has value, skills that you can add to your toolbox of awesome! Whether you’ve had a wealth of jobs or just a few, you’re looking for your second career, fifth, or first, there are gems gleaned from it all to be leveraged to climb the next rung of your dream-career ladder, and the next and the next.

Adopting the right attitude and strategies will make all the difference. And with a sprinkle of determination and dedication to continual growth, there is no limit to the success you can achieve.

7 Strategies to Master to Land and Advance That Dream Career.

1. Recognize Your Transferable Skills

Whether you’ve waited on tables, slung burgers, cared for little Johnny while his parents worked, navigated immigration paperwork and launched a new life in a new country, or have gained entry-level insight into a field you love, you have learned from every job you’ve landed and dedicated your time to, and every life experience you’ve encountered. See the skills you’ve gained, reflect and record. Here’s a guesstimate of skills you may have already: commitment, organization, responsibility and resiliency, communication, customer and client-care skills, ability to see the big picture and attend to the details, anticipating the needs of others and maintaining a positive attitude in the midst of all challenges. These may or may not make your resume, but they remind you of the extraordinary journey you’ve been on, and that anything is possible … next!

2. Explore Your Career Path

Develop a list of questions that hone in on areas of interest, and positions you’re passionate about. This will get you thinking and dreaming and ready to research. Do you want to launch a career in a whole new field of work or take the one you have to new levels? What types of positions interest you? Do you want to work with people or behind the scenes? What kind of hours do you want and need to work to accommodate your lifestyle, family responsibilities, future career aspirations? Do you want a physical job, a desk job or something in between? What are you innately good at? Are you happy when you’re caring for others? Are you tech and/or number savvy? Answer the questions and see what information rises to the top.

3. Research Your Options and Set Your Goals

Once you’ve got a feel for what you may love to do, you’re ready to get practical. Survey your options for study and training, researching Toronto colleges, college courses in Toronto, private colleges in Ontario, and any second careers program that matches your vision.

Define the field and position you want to achieve and set the short, mid-range, and long-term goals you’ll need to get there. See the entry-level positions you’ll need to learn from to then work your way up, be prepared and remain motivated by the bigger vision.

Ensure you set SMART goals:

• Specific – define in clear and direct terms, that allow you to see your objective at all stages as you check off and grow through your goals. (i.e. Become a “_____________”)
• Measurable – this is your checklist of achievements, step-by-step, that show you’re making progress. (i.e. 1. Enroll in program in spring. 2. Complete program. 3. Land job. 4. Be head of a department in two years.)
• Achievable – refers to how tangible and realistic the goal is, making sure timeframes are practical, considering whether you’re ready now or have steps to take to prepare yourself.
• Relevant – a final check that your goal aligns with your core values and the life you want to live in the long term. (i.e. the type of environment you will work within and the hours you’ll keep must be considered).

4. Invest in Your Success and Training

Now that you’ve researched college in Toronto and Ontario, the programs, courses and training that will get you to that next level, you’ll want to invest and begin to hit those advancement goals. Recognize that education is not a one-time experience either. Any dynamic position you will enter into will also require ongoing learning and skills development. This should excite you, knowing that you will be ever evolving in the role you choose and always at the top of your game, no matter what position you’re in.

5. Gain Hands-On Practical Experience and Soft Skills

There are many educational options available to you; choose one that allows you to glean from industry experts in the field and provides an opportunity for you to directly apply the skills you’ve learned within the work environment. Also, perpetually work on your emotional intelligence, those skills that make you extraordinary beyond your training – your communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. These will give you the competitive advantage. And throughout your career, add those hard and soft skills to your roster of ever-growing transferable tidbits that make you a shining commodity in the workplace.

6. Build a Strong Professional Network

Beyond colleagues at the office, engage in the community of your chosen profession. Get involved in networking events and industry-specific associations. Bust outside your comfort zone on who you get to know at the office; glean from leaders within your company every chance you get. Be curious, ask questions and never stop learning from those inside your organization and colleagues across your field.

7. Review, Track, Adapt

This is a life journey you’re on. So, every so often, check in. Are you hitting the targets you imagined in the timeframe you outlined? Are your goals for advancement the same? Are you experiencing satisfaction across the board, at work and in your personal life? Are you finding that balance between contentment and constant grow that keeps work and life exhilarating?
Review often. Track your progress. And adapt your goals accordingly.

__________________________________

Advancing your career is a powerful, purposeful step-by-step process. As you set goals, acquire skills and build solid professional relationships you can develop a foundation for success that will last a lifetime. By taking intentional actions and remaining adaptable, you can transform small beginnings into significant achievements. Start your journey today—your dream career is closer than you think!

Still considering which dynamic career may be for you, Take the “Anderson College Career Training Readiness Quiz”. Or we’ve got a team of people at the ready, able to help you navigate finding a fit with one of our 30+ leading-edge programs. Contact one of our admissions advisors today and let’s get you one step closer to the amazing future of yours that awaits!

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Anderson College – Programs for You
• Anderson College – Second Career Financial Aid Options
• Midlife Career Change? Your Guide to Success at Any Age
• Top 10 Benefits of a Career College Education
• Top Recession-Proof Jobs and How to Launch Your Career
• Healthcare Careers You Can Launch in 2 Years or Less