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Are you ready to take your career to the next level?
If so, you’re likely in need of a few good career hacks that will help you get started. If you’re tired of the same old career advice that doesn’t seem to get you anywhere, this article is for you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for a new job or looking to start a side-hustle, these career hacks will set you on the path to reaching your goals.
Career growth hacks that will help you move forward fast
You’ve probably heard this buzz-wordy phrase thrown around before—but what’s the meaning of “career hacks?” The term “hack,” in this sense, is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a clever tip or technique for doing or improving something.” In this case, these tips are meant to help you fast-track your career.
There are no shortage of resources when it comes to accelerating your career. There’s everything from YouTube channels to blogs (like the one you’re reading right now!) to Facebook groups. We’ve rounded up this list of career hacks to help you gain more experience and boost productivity. Ready to create more success in your life? Here’s what you need to know:
1. Don’t be afraid to work for free if there are long-term benefits
Yes, we all have bills to pay, and we need to make money. However, working for free is one of the best career hacks if you know the job will benefit you when it comes to your future goals. The key is to think about the experience you will gain and the connections you’ll make while on the job. Sometimes it’s those jobs that provide the life-changing, long-term knowledge you need to make greatness happen.
2. Focus on building your personal brand online
People will Google you. When they do, are they going to get a good first impression of who you are? If not, then you’ll want to take control of that by building a social media presence that paints you in a positive light. Instead of using social media to just share personal photos, it can be a way to showcase your experience, knowledge, and expertise in your field. This will establish your personal brand.
This way, whenever someone checks out your social media profiles, they’ll see someone who is competent. They’ll see that you’re a trustworthy source of information in your field. And that goes a long way, whether you’re looking for a new career or building a business or side-hustle.
3. Dress as the version of yourself you want to be
Taking action is only one half of creating success, whereas having the right mindset is the other. So, how can you step into the version of yourself who is confident and capable of achieving her goals? You dress the part! This is one of the best career hacks because simple changes can truly shift how you carry yourself every day. It’s backed up by numerous studies.
Think about it: Don’t you feel more powerful and motivated on the days where you are put together and dressed like the version of yourself you long to be? Whether you’re working from the office or at home, take the time to pick an outfit that will help you feel confident and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.
4. Get comfortable with delegating work when needed
Many people are hesitant to delegate because they fear giving up control. But the reality is, we simply cannot do it all. To free up time to focus on our most important tasks, we often need to delegate to someone else. If there is a task that isn’t the best use of your time, find someone else who has the skillset to easily take care of it for you. Plus, delegating will be helpful if you are trying to balance your day-to-day life with your side hustle.
5. Practice your selling skills whenever you can
Social selling is a handy skill to have right now. With social selling, you are utilizing a brand’s social presence to connect with its audience and sell products and services to prospective buyers. It sounds fairly simple; however, a lot of people build up resistance around asking for the sale. Sales (often unfairly) has a bad rap—many find it synonymous with being pushy or manipulative. To ensure selling feels good to you, think about the benefit your offering provides the buyer—in other words, only sell a product or service you believe in. Then, start practicing that pitch.
Whether you’re working a full-time job or running a business, being able to make the sale is one of those career hacks that will always come in handy. After all, generating sales is crucial to earning money and finding success.
6. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and keep learning
No one wants to be seen as inferior, so we often shy away from asking questions when we need further information on a topic. When you avoid speaking up, it can lead to more stress when you need clarity around a particular goal or project. You won’t look stupid; instead, you’ll look like someone who is detail-oriented and taking their role seriously.
While asking good questions is key, part 2 of this hack is equally important: taking the initiative to find answers on your own. Whether it’s learning to solve your own problems, taking a course to gain a new (relevant) skill, or mastering your soft skills—understanding the gaps in your knowledge/skill set will help you become the best version of yourself.
7. Remember to shut down at the end of the day
While the right career hacks will certainly get you far, so will taking time to rest and recharge. These days, we are so attached to our devices that we often forget to log off. Far too many people take their work home with them, responding to messages well after work hours. This “always-on” mentality can take a toll. If you notice the pressures of work creeping into your personal time, don’t wait to make changes. The impact can have negative consequences on your health.
Make sure you’re taking care of your mental and physical health by shutting down at the end of the day. Use your evenings to unwind so you’ll be refreshed and ready to jump in the next day. That means you need to turn off your phone (or at least silence work-related notifications) and do something that is just for you. You’re no good to anyone if you’re allowing yourself to get completely run down because it can lead to mental and physical issues, like the ones shown above via CompareCamp.
Bonus career hack: start your own side hustle
If you’re ready to work from home, create a flexible schedule, and make some extra cash, we can help. Vector offers amazing opportunities that don’t require any experience to get started. The best part is that you can use these career hacks to help you succeed. And at the same time, you can use your training and experience to advance your long-term career goals. Win-win!
Apply here and get started within the week!