Do you feel qualified for a raise or promotion? Have you envisioned turning a side-hustle into an actual business? What stood between you and making those career leaps or transitions in years past? Could it be risk aversion and the fear of a potential failure?
This is a common source of anxiety for people because comfort and security are associated with the familiar, but if you do not accept challenges and embrace the discomfort of change, this limits the career growth and movement you’re able to experience. On the other hand, if calculated risk is part of your job advancement game-plan, “with each one of those moves, you have an opportunity for accelerated learning [and] accelerated compensation, versus someone who finds a place they’re comfortable, [then] sets and perches right there,” notes Jason Hanold, CEO of the HR executive search firm Hanold Associates.
If the idea of risk in your career is intimidating, you can learn how to overcome that fear through mental exercises that incorporate both chance and strategy. Poker is one such example of this because it forces you to weigh the odds of success, then risk your sense of comfort in order to pursue an uncertain but rewarding outcome.
In poker, odds are the “tangible factors that comprise your chances of winning a hand, based on what cards you have and your position in the hand […] Knowing the odds, together with a strong tactical plan is a winning combination,” points out the Global Poker School. And just as it can lead to victory at the card table, that same approach is useful in the business world too. So if you want to take professional ambition to the next level in 2020—and beyond—here are three simple but effective action steps that will turn calculated risks into major, long-term rewards.
Apply for a Job that Interests You—Even if You Lack the Experience
Have you felt the disappointment of coming across that one dream position on a job board, only to realize that your level of experience does not match the requirements? This is a roadblock for many applicants, but if you discount the other qualifications you have to offer just because you lack those “three to five years” in the field, then you could miss the chance to show your competence and score an interview in the process. Glassdoor recommends these strategies to make your resume stand out to employers, despite not having all the experience listed on that job description.
- Use keywords on your cover letter and resume, such as action verbs or soft and hard skill phrases, that will advance you through an applicant tracking system and communicate that you have the assets, values and credentials for this role.
- Connect with the business on social media to learn more about their digital presence and indicate your enthusiasm for the brand—follow their accounts, share their posts, interact with their blog and network with the current team members.
- Practice an “elevator pitch” to concisely but thoroughly explain how your skills, attributes and track-record of achievements can be useful to the organization if a recruiter asks you to tell them about yourself during the interview process.
- Express yourself with confidence, both in written terms on the resume and in verbal tone and clarity once you land an interview—this reassures the hiring team that you are decisive, tenacious, resolute, motivated and sure of your own abilities.
Make a Point to Ask for Responsibilities or Advancements You Want
If you feel there is untapped room to grow and stretch—either in your current position or in another role at the organization—but this opportunity has not been presented to you, then do not be afraid to seek it out for yourself. Could a training course or certification program elevate you to the next career milestone? Is there a conference or networking function that would be important for you to attend? Do you want more responsibilities, challenges, and leadership on the job or are you due for a raise in salary?
If so, conduct the research to prove how these will benefit your job performance, formulate a plan on how to initiate the changes you want, and pitch the findings to your boss. When it comes to negotiation, be tactical and prepared in advance, urges business leadership coach Janine Schindler “Who will be in the meeting? What questions are you likely to be asked? This is the time to bring facts and figures with you. Documents, logic, and rational thinking are called for. Be an active listener. What are the major points being made? Make notes so when it’s your time to speak, you have relevant material to bring to the conversation.” Do the homework and show that you can be taken seriously.
Enroll in Seminars, Workshops or Classes to Learn Marketable Skills
The automation of technology and competition of the job market has made it clear that upskilling is essential in order to secure your place as a valuable asset—both to a company and to the industry as a whole. Businesses want employees who are committed to learning, developing, and choosing not to settle for complacency, so it’s a smart idea for employees to invest in their own futures “by expanding their knowledge and skillsets,” confirms John Feldmann, the communications specialist for Insperity Recruiting Services.
Therefore, he continues, “When opportunities for promotion arise, the employer will look favorably on their willingness to learn and take on new risks. [And] for those who leave the company, upskilling will only add to their resume and make them more attractive to future employers.”
So keep this in mind as you look for chances to build a more diversified and marketable skillset in your own career. Is there a coding webinar you could register for? Is there a creative branding podcast you could listen to? Treat your job as a classroom for learning, enrichment, and personal growth.
