TL;DR: Learning a new language can give you a whole new professional skill set, and you can get started with these online American Sign Language courses, now available in a bundle for just $15.97. Plus, learn five more strategies for boosting your career.
No matter how tough the job market has become, if you’re employed, it might be a nice time to work on expanding in your current role. Whether you’re hoping to score a promotion this year or want to expand your responsibilities and become indispensable to your employer, there are many ways to give yourself a boost.
Learn a new language and expand your communication skills
Learning a new language can open up entirely new opportunities and responsibilities, and that’s why learning American Sign Language is both challenging but rewarding. Right now, you can sign up for American Sign Language courses with 39 hours of instruction, all available in this online learning bundle priced at $15.97 for a limited time.
This bundle of 13 classes includes American Sign Language for Business: Beginner. It walks you through signing business- and office-related terms and vocabulary, as well as the basics like sentence structure, helping you interact with deaf co-workers and clients alike.
Want to expose your company to a brand-new audience? Picking up American Sign Language is a great way to do it. For example, being skilled in American Sign Language can help you stand out to your employer by being able to communicate with deaf or hearing-impaired people. And if you’re interested, you can score lifetime access to The All-in-One American Sign Language Bundle for just $15.97 (reg. $104) through June 9.
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And if you’re really looking to catch your boss’s eye, we’ve rounded up five more career-boosting strategies to help you stand out among your colleagues.
1. Directly ask for feedback
This one might seem too simple, but a great way to improve in your current position is to simply ask coworkers and superiors how you’re doing. There are lots of benefits — from increasing your confidence to providing concrete ways to reach your goals — and it’s totally free. Another great result? It shows your maturity and willingness to grow.
Before asking for the feedback, decide what type you’re hoping to receive. You can provide specific questions or set up a survey, it all just depends on what you’re after. And don’t forget, this doesn’t just apply to the people you’re currently working with, you can also expand your net and ask former colleagues and mentors, too!
2. Hit the library
If you haven’t stepped into a library since college, it may be time to get acquainted with your local wing. Books are a great way to level up your current expertise, as you can dive into relevant topics and make yourself an expert in your field. And you don’t have to stop at the shelves — trade papers and magazines are also an excellent source for growth.
Don’t feel like leaving home? These days, you don’t have to. You can also brush up on the latest trends and learn more about your career path by finding relevant blogs and social media accounts and pages.
3. Don’t underestimate networking
Even if you absolutely hate networking events, you can still touch base with people in your field right from the comfort of your couch. Yep, social media is a great way to connect with those in similar gigs, via groups on social media. You can also center your own social media accounts on your career area and build your own following filled with those interested in your domain.
For extroverts, good old fashioned face-to-face contact can also be helpful. Attending workshops in person or whipping up a business card to hand out at a moment’s notice are also some good ideas that can help you in your profession.
4. Turn your career into a project
One of the best ways to prove your worth at work is through a document filing system or an online portfolio. Unfortunately, no one is going to make these for you, so you’ll have to put in the work. It’s a great way to keep tabs on goals you’ve achieved, accolades you’ve earned, and more, and provides a great thing to point to during your next review.
Getting your wins organized will also help you in the future, as you digitize important files and catalog notable correspondence. Having everything in one spot helps you build confidence, reminding you of all of your vast accomplishments.
5. Learn from your mistakes
We can’t always kill it at work. But there’s a fresh perspective you can bring to negative experiences at the office: learn from them. If you look at mixups through the lens of problem-solving, they can not only be prevented in the future, it can teach you about your performance, and could be a productive exercise to boost your professional growth.
Learning from failure isn’t just beneficial on an individual level. If it catches on at a higher level, it can help future performance company-wide. Since it’s impossible not to fail, don’t worry about preventing it, just use it to everyone’s advantage.
Standing out in your current role doesn’t have to be a daunting task or require a significant investment. By seeking feedback, networking effectively, learning new languages, and more, you can make yourself more valuable at work. These strategies are not only cost-effective but also practical and accessible, helping you enhance your skills and showcase your assets to your employer.
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