While some young professionals try to fit in, others focus on standing out. If you prefer the latter, keep on reading, and we’ll talk about some of the best things that you can do to set yourself apart.
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Invest in Continuous Learning
Learning does not stop after earning a college diploma. It is a continuous process. To stand-out, you need to take advantage of the learning opportunities available to enhance your knowledge and skills. For instance, consider enrolling in online short courses. They are accessible anytime and anywhere. Not all short courses, however, are the same. Look for those that provide premium certificates from some of the world’s leading universities. They are a great way to build your credentials.
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Practice Active Listening
Active listening is an art that can help young professionals understand other people. It is not just merely listening with your ears. Rather, it involves listening to the speaker with your full concentration. You will be more involved and engaged and it requires understanding of not just words but also of emotions. This is also important in building trust and creating more meaningful connections, especially in the workplace.
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Show Empathy
Having just technical skills is not sufficient if you want to climb the corporate ladder. You also need to show personal skills, and that includes empathy. Being empathetic helps you understand others better, especially their emotions. It is one of the key components of emotional intelligence and also lets you show how compassionate you are.
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Know Your Weakness
If you want to set yourself apart, you need an honest assessment of yourself. Among others, one of the most important things is to identify your weaknesses. Once you know this, you should find a way to turn these weaknesses into an opportunity to improve yourself. Eventually, this can become your greatest strength.
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Leverage Technology
One advantage that young professionals have is that they are tech-savvy. They know how to maximize the power of technology. Use the most innovative tools available to set yourself apart from others. Embrace technology to introduce new ways of doing things to improve productivity and boost profitability, among other benefits.
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Ask for Feedback
Some people shy away from feedback because they are afraid of being criticized. If you want to stand out, then you should be proactive in gathering feedback. Ask your boss or colleagues about how you are performing. This way, you will be able to compare your performance to your coworkers and also identify areas that you need to improve in.
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Get a Mentor
If you want to learn more about your profession, finding a mentor can be a good idea. Find a person who can motivate you to become a better version of yourself. This should be someone who is more experienced than you in the industry and someone who can be a source of significant learning. Your mentor can also vouch for your skills should you require a recommendation.
Today’s workplaces are highly-competitive. To set yourself apart, you should consider investing in continuous learning, practicing effective learning, showing empathy, and getting a mentor, among other things.