| 1. Networking - Build a network of other people who | | | | by becoming a licensed professional in one of these |
| are influential in your career field. Professional | | | | fields. |
| organizations, chambers of commerce, and | | | | 4. Get Certified - When employers are looking at |
| networking groups are great resources for meeting | | | | hiring highly skilled professionals, they want to be sure |
| people who are leaders in your field and community. | | | | that the candidates they choose do in fact have the |
| As you cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with | | | | skills to do the job. Earning a recognized certification |
| your networking contacts, you'll likely learn about | | | | in your field is one of the best ways to prove your |
| new job opportunities before they are announced to | | | | skills to prospective employers. |
| the general public. | | | | 5. Earn a Degree - One of the best ways to help |
| 2. Computer Skills - Having strong computer skills is a | | | | yourself move up in your career is by increasing and |
| key to success in just about any career field. People | | | | validating your knowledge base with a degree. In |
| who keep up with the latest software applications | | | | many types of jobs, your pay rate is directly related |
| and operating systems often have a competitive | | | | to the highest level of education you have |
| advantage when it comes to being considered for | | | | completed. |
| promotions and getting new jobs. Even if you are | | | | Working toward an advanced degree in your field |
| very busy, there are a number of options for | | | | can demonstrate to your current and future |
| inexpensive and convenient online training programs | | | | employers that you are committed to long term |
| that can help you stay on top of the latest advances | | | | career success. If you already have an undergraduate |
| in computer technology. | | | | degree, a graduate degree can have a positive |
| 3. Professional Licensure - In many fields, there is a | | | | impact on your earning potential. |
| huge salary difference between licensed and | | | | The power to boost your ability to make more |
| unlicensed professionals. Say, for example that you | | | | money is in your hands. The better connected you |
| work in the office of an apartment complex. Because | | | | are and the more able you are to demonstrate your |
| of your work experience, you might very likely have | | | | skills, knowledge, and commitment to employers, the |
| the skills needed to be a real estate agent or home | | | | more control you will have over your future career |
| inspector, and you could boost your earning potential | | | | success. |