For so many people, 2022 is all about making career goals a priority. For many, 2020 put a halt to most progress when it came to working and for so many more their jobs abruptly ended leaving them scrambling to make ends meet. With 2022 offering signs of hope for a normal life, a lot of people are ready to jump on the chance of advancement. There are numerous things you can do to help make your goals happen this year. Here are just ten ideas to improve on your work skills and make yourself look like an incredible employee without spending a fortune. Opportunities can truly be yours when you’re ready to put in the work.

1. Look for School Grants
One of the best ways to help you get on the right foot as far as your career is concerned is to take more classes. You should try to build your skills and work on those that you might otherwise struggle with. Unfortunately, most schools do have tuition prices and many companies won’t pay for their employees to take courses. So, your best option is to look for school grants. Grants are a fantastic option because you do not have to worry about paying them back. There are also numerous grants out there and many people never even apply for them, so your odds of getting them are great. You can look around online for grants, but to boost your chances of finding a good match for you, you might consider asking your employer or talking to your school of choice about the grants.

2. Read
Books are your best way to learn any subject. Luckily, you can find so many options that will suit your career field. May it be business or technology, there are ways to learn the skills you need without setting foot in a classroom. You can also find self-help books that will ensure you learn to communicate efficiently or act as a leader. Many self-help books won’t cost you a fortune either, especially if you buy them in e-book form. Reading allows you to go at your own pace too, so you can make the most out of the subject that you are reading about.

3. Network
Growth isn’t always dependent on your skills. Sometimes, it is the people that you know that will truly get you to where you’d like to go. That is why networking is one of the most important things you can do if you intend on boosting your skills. One of the easiest ways to do this is to attend networking events. Commonly, these are held at conventions and other events, but there are now online networking events to help you get where you’d like to be. You can also use social media and word of mouth to meet new people in your field, so you can find the right connections to help move you up the ladder of your career.

4. Attend Workshops/Conferences
Not all skills are taught in a classroom. Many can actually be learned in workshops and conferences. If you are part of a field that offers such things, then you might take part whenever you can. Often, companies will pay for you to attend these events, but if not they are definitely cheaper than taking courses. Workshops are more than just a place to pick up new skills though. You can actually put your networking skills to work here, so don’t be afraid to connect with people online or ask for a business card if you think the professional relationship could help you in the future.

5. Utilize Social Media
In this day and age, social media is going to be where you need to concentrate some of your energy. You can find so many leads on social media, that you will be able to learn and grow with ease. Primarily, you should use social media for networking, but make sure you’re making trusted contacts as some people are out there to scam others. Other than that, you can learn skills online to help you improve on your career. Many people do offer free advice and courses on social media as well, which will allow you to get the most you can out of your field without having to spend money. Without a doubt, social media is one of the best assets we have, if only we choose to use it wisely. That being said, you should also present yourself as a professional on social media, as it could affect the way a future employer thinks of you.

6. Talk to Management
When it comes to promotions or even getting ahead in your field, one of the best resources you have is your managers. You might start talking to the manager directly overlooking you to see what you can do to help improve your odds of promotion. If you feel comfortable, you can also talk to managers that are higher up. They will know more of what you should know to take on a higher position because they have gone through it. Even if you don’t plan to stick around with the company, the ideas they provide you with can help motivate you and get you on the right path to improving your career prospects. It might also give you a bit of peace of mind when it comes to your future career, which can help ease the pressure you might be facing.

7. Improve Tech Skills
No matter what career field you are in, improving your tech skills can be one of the most important things you can do. There are so many programs that you can take on that will allow you to improve the way you look on your resume. Some of the more important skills are learning word process programs, like Microsoft Word, data programs, like Microsoft Excel, and graphic programs like Photoshop or Canva. You can also go a step further by learning a programming language, which can give you a step up when it comes to departments that require you to do web design and more.

8. Set Goals
If you’re looking for an easy way to get your career on the right path, then one of the best ways to do so is to set goals for yourself. You should look at where you would like to be in a week, a month, a year, and so on and then set goals accordingly. All goals should not feel unattainable, which is why the goals you set for the present should be steppingstones to help you reach the harder to obtain goals. Once you have your goals set then make plans to make them a reality. You might be surprised by how easy it feels to get where you’d like to be when you have a guideline to get you there.

9. Improve Resume
Believe it or not, but a lot of people struggle with the downfall of a poor resume. It is important to update your resume often, even if you aren’t actively seeking a job. This is especially true if you keep an online resume on platforms like LinkedIn. One of the main issues people face when it comes to their resumes is the way they present them. Often, people will just list some skills and leave it at that. It is important to actually go over the things you do and the skills you have. If you need to, work with a professional to help make your resume shine, even if you aren’t actively looking for a new job.

10. Know Your Worth
In this day and age, many people are actually underpaid for the things that they do. Employers can get away with this because so many people are after jobs. If you’re not sure what you should be making in your position, then you should always browse around to see what the industry standard is and what people with your credentials are making. There are many websites, like Salary.com, that can help you figure out what you should be paid. This will help you make the right decisions so you can choose to stick with your job or move on to one that will actually pay you what you’re worth.

Improving your career is a great way to help boost your confidence, your finances, and your self-worth. These ten tips won’t cost you a lot of money and will help you to move up the ladder in your career field, so you can actually make your dreams come true. With any luck, moving forward with some of these options will help you enjoy your best year yet.