Change and Transformation Professionals: 4 Tips to Transform Your Career Development

In the fast-paced world of change and transformation, it's all too easy to become consumed by the demands of delivering business impact, leaving little time for personal career development.

However, investing in your professional development is crucial for long-term success. This blog post explores practical strategies to help you take charge of your professional journey.

1.     Create a Plan

When was the last time you had a really clear career development plan? Perhaps you've got one, and that's brilliant, but for so many people out there, they‘re caught up in the day-to-day of delivering change and transformation, focusing so intently on the impact on the business that they forget to focus on themselves.

We encourage people in this situation to start with the end goal in mind. What's your objective? Where do you want to be in 5, 10, maybe 20 years in your career? Then we look at a skills gap analysis. From where you are now to where you want to be, what are the things you need to do?

Perhaps it's as simple as an online learning course or a whole professional qualification. Maybe there are certain areas of projects, programmes, change and transformation that you haven't had exposure to yet. Once you've drilled down into what you need to do to get where you want to be, it becomes so much easier to learn those skills, gain that experience and put yourself in a strong position to reach that end goal.

2.     Options for Contractors

For contractors, prioritising career development can be particularly challenging. Time might be your biggest hurdle when you're on assignment, or perhaps it's budget, as everything you do is self-funded. However, there are loads of low-cost and free resources available, leaving you with no excuses not to keep learning.

We've seen numerous panel interviews with industry experts, online learning courses, webinars, and face-to-face conferences or events. All of these provide opportunities for industry experts to share their knowledge, and the more you can absorb, the more you can develop your career and keep pushing forward.

Additionally, you could join a mentoring scheme. Perhaps you could offer your mentorship to somebody whilst finding someone to help you develop in the areas you want to focus on. Don't forget the power of your networks either. Even just a conversation over a coffee could open up a whole different knowledge base for you to share on your next assignment.

3.     Hone Your Personal Brand

As a contractor, have you focused on your personal brand? Possibly not, but there are some brilliant contractors out there who have done exactly that. They've spent time between assignments growing and nurturing their networks. They’ve practised their elevator pitch. They've attended in-person conferences or events in their specialist area, or maybe even just engaged with free online learning or webinars available on various platforms.

Don't underestimate the power of your personal brand. You never know when a connection or conversation might lead to a substantial project for you to work on. So if you find yourself between assignments and at a loose end, focusing on your personal brand could be a positive way to utilise your time and help you stand out from the crowd.

4.     Build a Business Case

When we talk to people about why they want to leave their current roles, one of the common reasons is the lack of career development and support for professional qualifications. Perhaps it was promised in an interview or discussed during a resignation counter-offer scenario, but it hasn't materialised.

We encourage people to make it an easy thing for their employer to say yes to. Research the qualification you'd love to have – something that's going to benefit both your career and the organisation. Look at the costs, and timings, and ensure it doesn't clash with any major work commitments. Present this as a business case to your manager.

Make it easy for them to approve, and if at that stage you still don't get the go-ahead, then maybe it really is time to find an organisation that will truly support your professional development.

Taking control of your career development is an ongoing process that requires dedication and initiative. Whether you're a contractor focusing on your personal brand or a full-time employee seeking support for professional qualifications, the key is to remain proactive. By setting clear goals, continuously learning, and leveraging your network, you can create a robust framework for career growth. Remember, your professional development is an investment in yourself—one that will pay dividends throughout your career.

We're experts in people—we pride ourselves on taking a bespoke personal approach when working with you to find your perfect role.

Get in touch with the team to discuss how we can best support you.