10 professional habits that will help you advance your career

Professional development advice is not something very common to come by. Most people go ages without hearing a piece of advice that would help them out in their careers. Our advice? The sooner you start learning professional habits, the better your career advancement journey will be. Today, we will talk about 10 professional habits that will help you climb up the career ladder.

1. Learn to accept new tasks

You wouldn't grow in your role if you didn’t learn to take on more responsibilities. Yes, sometimes it may feel overwhelming to take on additional tasks on top of an already-heavy schedule. However, saying “That's not my job,” doesn't really get you recommended for promotions.

2. Create a daily schedule for yourself

Organizing your daily time is the first thing you must do. Not everyone has the same time organization system. Find a system that works for you and stick to it. Time management is not a skill that many can master.

3. Always be on time

Whether it is to a meeting, to an appointment, or to work, being on time is very important. It shows other professionals that you value their time as much as yours. Being on time is one of the easiest things you can do to create a great impression of yourself on your superiors.

4. Request feedback from your manager

It isn't always unicorns and rainbows when you receive feedback for your projects. However, asking for feedback is a sign of someone who's always willing to improve themselves. This way, you wouldn't be shockingly surprised when the time comes for your yearly performance review.

5. Step out of your comfort bubble professionally

Just like in your personal life, the real changes come when you take a step out of your comfort zone. The things you may get to do as you advance in your career may not be in your job description, but will challenge you and empower you to become more skilled. Remember, a professional who does not try new things will remain stagnant in the same role.

6. Take a stab at digital organization

Are you a notebook and pencil kind of person? If so, this is just the piece of advice for you. Digital organization is becoming more important than ever. If your inbox is cluttered with thousands of unread emails and you have notifications popping up on your networking apps, you need to invest more time in digital organization.

7. Always be willing to take on new training

Training means you get to learn something new. It is a vital part of your professional development journey. Invest time and money in any training opportunities or certificates that you can obtain for your career advancement. This will pay you back when it's time for you to be on the job hunt again.

8. Always keep your professional documents updated

It is important to have an updated resume at all times. America is going through a hard patch in the economy right now. No one knows if they are the ones to get sacked next. Updating your professional documents is the first step you should take for career cushioning.

9. Keep track of your connections

Networking is a vital part of your professional life. Whenever you meet someone new at a networking event, ensure that you get their contact information. You never know when you might need to contact them in search of a job opportunity at their company.

10. Know your worth

Not everyone knows their real worth at their company. If you are a hardworking professional who always reaches your targets on time, you must always remember that you add value to the business. Ask your manager for a raise and throw in your name in the hat for a promotion without doubting yourself!