How Young Australians Can Level Up Professionally

The 2018 The New Work Reality Report documented the journeys of 14,000 young Australians. It found that over 50% of Australia’s 25-year-olds could not secure full-time employment, despite holding post-school qualifications.

The groundbreaking findings of this report point to one clear issue – a large majority of Australia’s youth find themselves stuck professionally, unable to find the right job, pessimistic about the future, and view insufficient job availability as a barrier to their success.

Whether you’ve been in the same position too long or are struggling to fulfil your professional goals, feeling stuck in your career can be a frustrating and demotivating experience. But the good news is that it’s never too late to take charge of your career and level up professionally.

In this post, we’ve compiled actionable strategies to help you unlock new possibilities in your career, achieve the success you desire, and make the most of your talents.

Let’s begin!

Build On Your Skillset

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, your initial qualifications and college learning will no longer be enough to stay relevant and grow professionally.

Therefore, it’s essential to identify areas where you can enhance your skills or acquire new ones to help propel you forward in your career. Revisiting your education in a new light can also help reignite your interest and passion for your chosen field, and help you approach future challenges with renewed energy and dedication.

For instance, many business degree holders in Australia are now looking into pursuing a Master's in Business Administration some years into their career to open up new opportunities for growth and advancement. If this is an area that interests you, read more about MBA statistics around the world at UTS online.

Whether you have a career in counselling, finance, tech, business, or more – there’s always room for learning and growth. If you want to level up in your career, look for training programs, higher education courses, workshops, and certifications you can add to your repertoire to progress to the next step in your career.

Additionally, consider joining professional associations, engaging with industry-specific forums, and hosting and attending webinars and conferences to interact with other professionals.

Learn From A Mentor

Mentorship can play an essential role in your career advancement. Seek out mentors within your organisation or industry who can provide guidance, share their experience and expertise, and help you grow and navigate the complexities of your field.

A seasoned professional that has been at work longer than you have can offer valuable insights that could be the secret to your professional growth. A good mentor will always provide honest, constructive feedback and help you identify opportunities for advancement. Their support, advice, and wisdom can be invaluable to help you move up the corporate ladder.

Establish A Professional Presence

In today’s digital age, building a strong personal brand can help you attract new opportunities and broaden your professional network. So make an effort to define your individual brand and regularly audit your online presence. Set up professional social media profiles or a business website, and ensure they reflect your skills, interests, accomplishments, and talents.

You should also consider making leadership content on platforms relevant to your industry, engaging in online discussions and contributing valuable insights. This can help establish you as an expert in your field, and enhance your visibility and credibility.

Improve On Your Soft Skills

According to research by Hays Australia, 96% of Australian employers consider soft skills to be either more important or just as important as a candidate’s technical skills.

Your educational qualifications and technical skills might get you noticed by employers, but your soft skills are what actually get you hired. So if you’ve been neglecting them and only pursuing additional credentials to add to your belt, it’s time for a change.

The best thing about soft skills such as time management, communication, leadership, and teamwork is that they are transferable to any position or industry you join. So try and improve them by taking weekend courses, seeking mentorship, and attending relevant lectures or seminars in your personal time.

Invest In Your Strengths

Rather than trying to add as many skills to your belt as possible, focus on where your strengths lie and learn how to get even better at those things.

Instead of someone who can do everything, someone who specialises in a specific area is much more likely to succeed and advance in their career. This can give you an additional boost and get you noticed, especially if you have a skill that few others in your team have.

Take On New Challenges

Sometimes, if you find yourself at a career standstill, this could be because you have been living in your comfort zone for far too long. Remember, growth and advancement only come if you step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges.

So try and seek out assignments or projects that stretch your abilities and challenge you to think innovatively. If you aren’t finding opportunities to develop new skills and take on bigger problems, create these opportunities yourself. Volunteer for initiatives and propose innovative ideas within your organisation – you never know when an idea can take off and get you noticed.

Also, don’t shy away from opportunities that may involve risk or uncertainty – this is where you will unleash your personal and professional growth. By demonstrating your willingness to take risks and tackle new challenges, you’ll showcase your adaptability, boldness, and innovation, paving your way up the corporate ladder.

Embrace Constructive Criticism

No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, constant learning and feedback are essential to grow and advance in your career.

So make a habit of seeking feedback from mentors, supervisors, and colleagues, and try to embrace constructive criticism and view it as an opportunity to learn and develop.

Seeking feedback and embracing constructive criticism is also essential because it demonstrates a commitment to growth and marks you out as a proactive and adaptable professional. If you’re aiming for a job promotion or to stand out in your mentor’s eyes, this habit will definitely get you noticed and appreciated.

Future-Proofing Your Career – The Bottom Line

Feeling unsatisfied or stuck in your career is more common than you think. But the good news is, there are always steps you can take to revitalise your career and level up professionally, no matter where you stand now. We hope you’ll find the tips in this article helpful. Good luck!