Throughout our career services guide, we have focused on helping you get your next job. After all, that is what you are searching for - that dream job. In this guide, we want to talk to you about continued professional development (CPD), why it is crucial, and how it can help you succeed in your current job and open future opportunities.
What is continued professional development?
Professional development refers to acquiring new skills and improving existing skills, knowledge, and abilities for a particular profession or job. Continued professional development refers to committing to this process regularly throughout your job and career.
CPD can be provided by your employer or third parties supplying your employer with educational content, or it can be carried out by you, the employee.
However you choose to follow your professional development, it will be critical to your success. Here's why.
Why is continued professional development critical?
Staying up-to-date with new developments in your industry and field is crucial for maintaining your competitive edge. It helps you keep pace with industry changes and adapt to new challenges. It can also enhance your performance, boost your proactivity, and improve your career prospects.
For example, learning a different programming language can make you more versatile and valuable to your team if you're a software developer. It can also enhance your performance by improving your problem-solving skills or ability to work under pressure. These improvements can lead to better career prospects and better job satisfaction.
More than this, continued professional development is good for you. It can boost your confidence and self-esteem and help you stay motivated.
How to continue your professional development
There are various ways to continue learning and developing professionally:
● Reading - There are likely blogs, books, and LinkedIn articles written frequently about your industry and its practices. For entry-level professionals, reading these materials can provide a solid foundation of industry knowledge. It can help mid-career professionals stay updated with trends and best practices. And for senior professionals, it can offer insights into emerging technologies and strategies.
● Listening - Whether you subscribe to industry podcasts or attend seminars, listening to industry peers can be a great way to absorb new information, trends and things about your field.
● Courses - Certification, accreditation and courses, online and in-person, can be a valuable way to continue personal development. They help you learn very specific things that add more value to your CV.
● Conferences and exhibitions - Both options provide continued personal development through networking (discussed below) and industry learning (players and trends). New initiatives in your industry will provide excellent learning and an opportunity to see how you need to develop to play a role in its future.
● Networking - Using social media, networking meetings, or peer relationships to develop your understanding of the industry and your role can also uncover best practices, a great way to improve your performance and meet your employer's goals.
● Updating core skills through your employer - Ask your employer about their CPD scheme to learn which certificates, accreditations or courses you could gain. Learning on the job can be a great addition to your CV, showing that you embrace your industry and role. It can also be helpful in your current position because new skills could help you be considered for promotions.
The impact of continued professional development on your career
One of the most significant benefits of continued professional development is that it can enhance your career prospects. When you invest in your professional development, you become a more valuable employee to your organisation. You have a broader skill set and can take on more significant responsibilities, opening up new career opportunities.
It can also signal excellence to potential employers. Most employers will naturally admire someone who dedicates their efforts to professional growth. It shows that you care for your work, which is a great addition and potential advantage for any team.
Moreover, professional development is about securing your future in your field. Industries are constantly evolving, and new methodologies and technologies are continually being introduced. You can stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments through continued professional development, making you a more competent and competitive professional.
It can also give you the power to negotiate higher pay and bonuses on the job or in new job negotiations.
How to plan for your continued professional development
It is always advisable to have a plan for how you wish to tackle your personal development. A clear strategy helps you identify the skills you want to learn and create a checklist for attaining those skills.
Here are some steps to help you plan for your continued professional development:
Set a clear goal - Identify what skills you need to develop and what knowledge you need to acquire to advance your performance and career. To do this, consider your current job responsibilities, the skills required for your desired future roles, and the industry trends and changes that may impact your job. Prioritise your list and start with skill number one.
Research opportunities - Look for workshops, courses, seminars, and conferences that align with your priority skill.
Create a CPD plan - Outline a plan for that skill development that includes specific activities, timelines, and resources needed to achieve your goal.
Develop a timeline - Some skills will take longer to master than others. By creating a timeline for your CPD plan, you can progress in a way that gives you room to master each aspect of that skill.
Use all your resources - Use all the information we've given you to search for ways to develop the skill you are interested in learning. Don't just scratch the surface; instead, really understand the nuances of the skill and how it affects job roles around you. That 360 view means that you enhance your performance while helping those around you get better results.
Evaluate your progress - Regularly assess your progress by reviewing the skills you have acquired and the knowledge you have gained. You can do this through self-assessment, feedback from peers or supervisors, or even formal evaluations. Based on this assessment, adjust your professional development plan to keep on track and ensure you are continuously improving.
Following these steps, you can effectively plan for your continued professional development and stay ahead. 'Staying ahead' in this context means proactively acquiring new skills and knowledge, anticipating industry changes, and positioning yourself for future career opportunities.
Join us for our following guide, where we will discuss the importance of persistence in your job search.