Five ways to get ahead in your career
Getting a foothold in your dream career can seem impossible if you haven’t grown up with the “right” connections and strong levels of support – financial or otherwise.
Jobs expert at Totaljobs Stephen Warnham says: “The adage of: ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,’ continues to sadly ring true for many – as only a third of people from lower socioeconomic groups have received help from family or friends in securing a job.”
He explains: “A person’s socioeconomic background has a tremendous impact on the opportunities they have in their lifetime – whether it’s their access to education, employment, or their salary potential.”
Employers can do their bit, through targeted work experience programmes, financial support, or support in building a career network, he says.
These are Warnham’s tips for helping job candidates remove obstacles, and boost their ability to move into their chosen career…
1. Apply for jobs valuing transferable skills over ‘set’ qualifications
“Increasingly, we’re seeing employers looking for transferable skills over set qualifications, and we’re encouraging more businesses to do the same, in the hope that a broader range of jobs will become accessible for people of all educational backgrounds,” Warnham says.
“When looking for a job, remember no one is a perfect candidate; if you don’t meet all the requirements of a role, apply anyway and focus on the value of your transferable skills, such as organisation or communication, in your application.”
2. Learn while you earn
“Training is often available as part of the onboarding process in a new job, to equip you with the essential skills you need,” says Warnham.
“But many employers are going beyond basic training, and are providing new starters with the opportunity to upskill or gain a qualification.”
He suggests looking for jobs that are part of an apprenticeship scheme – “which mean you can learn while you earn”.
Warnham adds: “From an employer perspective, it’s important apprenticeship programmes are given equal weighting to graduate progression routes, to make this a key step in reducing employment inequalities.”
3. Know your worth in the jobs market
Warnham says: “It can be tempting to fall into a trap of believing that if you have no prior experience, you’re not entitled to receive pay for your work as the opportunity is doing you a favour.”
4. Consider how remote or flexible working could work for you
Many workers will never return to the office full-time, as the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated flexible and home working trends.
“Depending on your situation or preference, it can benefit you in several ways,” Warnham explains.
“Remote working can help you save money and potentially provide better access to secure work in the future, as this type of work can help bring a broader range of job opportunities to different areas in the UK.
“While technical equipment like a laptop is typically provided so you can perform your role, some employers are also actively supporting people during the application process, such as by providing tablets for video interviews, or providing the ability to hotspot if local internet connection isn’t reliable.”
5. Create your own network
Social media has opened up huge opportunities to make professional connections with people you might not otherwise have met.
Warnham says: “While it may take time, building your own network from the ground up can have real value in the long run, especially if you’re at the early stages of your career.
“Connect with industry professionals on professional social media platforms, making it clear why you want to connect with them and building rapport.
“Using online platforms to reach out to those already in the industry for advice is a great way of showcasing your proactiveness.”