Try Thinking Outside of the Box

Do you feel as if your career is facing a dead-end road? Have you tried getting out of your current situation and into a professional life that makes you happy? Check out these tips to make the right career move and get on the path to career bliss. Sometimes, you just have to think outside the box to get results without completely changing your job or finding a totally different career.

Train Yourself for the Next Step

Perhaps you're not quite ready to make the next career move because you don't have the right training. Take formal classes at a local college or university as a way to foster your career development. Consider leadership classes, computer coding or something specific to your industry. Even if you don't earn a degree, taking formal classes shows your manager you are serious about your career.

Training courses, online classes and certifications also present opportunities for learning. Rather than thinking your career is going nowhere, maybe your career just needs a new perspective thanks to some development opportunities.

Work on Personal Branding

When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? Even if you haven't changed jobs in three years, you can still update your LinkedIn profile as part of your personal branding. You don't have to create an entirely new profile, but you can post blogs, join discussion groups and comment on other people's content as you try to become more well known to influencers in your industry.

Try creating your own professional website that curates all your information in one place. Write regular blogs, post to social media and keep regular content coming to your personal brand's website. Your website puts forth your brand for your industry and your company as you become an expert in your field. Letting others see your expertise can create a career move as you earn more experience and learn insider information within your industry.

Network, Network, Network

Networking is more than just asking someone on LinkedIn to connect with you. Networking with your colleagues at other companies gives you a chance to see how much your skills are in demand within your industry. Attend industry-specific events, online webinars and group meetings so you can get to know others in your industry outside of your own company.

LinkedIn is also a great place to find networking opportunities. Check in with your most relevant contacts once every week or two so you stay fresh in their minds. Eventually, you may have an opportunity that comes up in case you do want to switch jobs and go with another company as your career move.

Move Sideways

Rather than trying make a career move up the ladder, maybe you just need a different department. Try landing a similar job with the same amount of workload only within a different arm of the same employer. Rather than sales, try public relations or marketing. If data processing doesn't fit your fancy, maybe you can try IT. In a larger company, you have tons of options.

Your next career move doesn't have to be drastic. If you feel as if you're in a dead end, think outside the box to gain a new perspective on your current job without revamping your entire professional life.

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