How will your career progress in the following years? What will happen to the industry and company you work in as time goes on? While we can’t possibly predict the future, we know that we live in turbulent, rapidly changing times. If your knowledge or experience ever falls short in such an environment, your career can be at serious risk of failure.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can prepare your career for the future to ensure success, and here are just some of the most effective career development methods:

Make an effort to make new connections and build strong relationships with professionals within and outside your industry. A great professional network can be an invaluable resource when preparing your career for the future. The right contacts can provide support throughout this journey, bring you with them when the work landscape changes, and offer new career opportunities whenever your role looks uncertain. You might also get the advantage of developing your skills and learning new strategies to advance your career. In order to build a solid network, consider exploring employee resource groups, joining professional associations, attending industry-relevant events, and even establishing a good personal brand online.

Another ability you should develop is overcoming turbulence and disappointments. The future of your career isn’t always certain, and there’s a good chance you’ll encounter setbacks along the way no matter how well you prepare. In order to be successful, you have to be resilient as well. You need to learn how to work with more purpose, bounce back from any setbacks quickly, and view your mistakes as great learning experiences. Develop your resilience by building a strong personal support network and prioritizing your health and well-being. Assess and affirm your strengths frequently, and learn how to deal with change in an effort to stay positive and flexible as the future unfolds.

The future is unknown, likely bringing both positive opportunities and unwelcome disruptions with it. While we can’t predict what’s to come, you can take some steps today to prepare your career for the future and look to the horizon with more excitement.

The post Effective Ways to Prepare Your Career for the Future appeared first on The Startup Magazine.

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