To keep oneself updated with the industry’s new trends, it is necessary to attend the webinars and seminars that are organized time to time by different industries. Cloud Counselage conducts a lot of webinars on the latest topics related to the IT and Management Industry. Know more about it at www.cloudcounselage.com/ccpc/

To get an edge over others, one needs to start working on different tools and technologies so that they become well-versed in their technical domain and can outshine.

Internship plays a very significant role in learning and development of individuals if they are dedicated enough. Internships help you get an exposure to company culture and also help you get familiar with the corporate system. Know how you can get it at www.cloudcounselage.com/ccpc/

Industry visits are very important to be job-ready because there you will understand how everything actually works, and once you are aware of the workstyle, you are now ready to apply your innovation and creative thinking.

Reading actually is a savior. Once you start reading you will notice that after a month, your vocabulary and your communications skills get upgraded and this is what a candidate should have. 

You might have 500+ connections in LinkedIn but on how many connections can you count on when you need help? It’s because lack of communication and nurturing the relationships. Sharing ideas and discussing on a relevant topic might help you to know these people. Remember LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are tools that you can use to connect in a personal way to different people in your industry

Get into a conversation with your colleagues especially those who are promising and dedicated to his or her work and know them well. Your co-worker might be experienced in his or her career and might have good network connections. This is how networking can be built.

It is important to follow up on referrals and check up on previous acquaintances and connections. Regular contact makes your connections stronger and it is good to connect with people outside of the business context and develop acquaintanceship with those around you. A good network is an active one.

Instead of attending events just to build a network, go there to have fun or to learn something new because you will be meeting many new people with similar interests. There is a greater chance of making real connections in this way.

Networking is a two-way process. It is equally important for both parties to gain while networking. It is not only about taking benefit from the other party but also to make sure that the other party is gaining benefit from you.exposure.

The above strategies can work as a bridge between two or more people. A strong network cannot be built in a day. It needs patience, honesty, reliability, and continuity. Networking is about establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet, therefore investing in relationships both personal and professional, will give you a sterling return of investment throughout the course of your life.

The job market is a very challenging place to be. If a vacancy demands experience sometimes you can’t apply without it. If a position doesn't, you are likely to lose out against a candidate with more experience.

Getting any kind of work experience will at least help you stand out. Especially in more competitive fields or if you think other parts of your resume are weaker. Internships can also be a great way to get a full-time position as well afterward. If you are a good fit and provide results as an intern, you will likely be hired to continue work there. But, the benefit of having actual work experience is especially important for the next point. 

If you need to get employed quickly you need to have what employers want and they want experience. Providing that exact thing gets your resume past screening, secures you an interview, and hopefully, the position you desire. Unfortunately, if you are missing something from your resume, there is a chance that the employer will discard it without a second thought. The best way to get through is to not give them a reason to eliminate you.

If getting a university degree taught you everything you needed to know to succeed in life, we wouldn't hear success stories of drop-outs and non-graduates like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Ritesh Agarwal, etc. Going beyond your comfort zone and achieving something beyond your academic activities is a sure shot way to learn more. That does not mean getting an education is useless (it's a must in many professions), but it can't make you an expert right at the start. You need to learn as you walk your professional journey.

Even though all the above reasons do apply the best reason of all is it gives a chance for you to do it for yourself. 

If you are thinking: Why on earth would I want to start doing work? How does this benefit me personally? 

First of all, you get to try experiencing the career of your choice. You can find out what you enjoy or don't enjoy and utilize that knowledge to find more suitable future jobs. 

Secondly, you are allowing yourself to try new things. Some things can only be truly learned from the hands-on application. 

The third is the network you build for yourself with the new friends, colleagues, and acquaintances you meet. Personal development does not always happen in isolation. 

Lastly is the satisfaction you get from improving yourself. In the end, you should feel a sense of personal accomplishment from what you've achieved.

Work experience allows you to apply your skills. What you have done in-turn can be put to your resume to further your career. It helps you by enabling yourself to build confidence in your ability in the workplace for advancement in future jobs and career opportunities. 

Industry exposure enables you to explore, discover, and select the professional path that works for you the most. 

At Cloud Counselage too, we are looking to provide you internships through engagements and industry exposure. Please visit our CCPC Page to know more.

“The more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seus

When I first began reading it was just a race. I was focused on reading books on leadership, management, personal development and a variety of different business topic. I would finish one, put it on the shelf and start the next one thinking I can retain a little from each one that I read. Looking back, I jumped around from topic to topic. 

Some of the first books I read were: Secrets of Power Negotiating, Good to Great, Raving Fans, and Man’s search For Meaning. I usually chose the books I read because they were mentioned in another book I was reading, or someone suggested it. That is how I still choose my books today, but I have more intent and focus on what I’m choosing to read now.  

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin

Darren Hardy is an author I enjoy learning from. I remember him saying that we need to “learn less and study more. Learning is not the problem; lack of real study and implementation is.” 

I take more time going through a book now to study the content and learn it better. If I find a book I really like, right after I finish reading it, I’ll often turn to page one and start over. Other times I might just turn to a specific section or chapter to review. 

Rather than flying through books now, I spend more time studying what I’m reading. That way, rather than hoping I’ll retain a little from each book, I feel that I can retain a lot more.

Watch and learn from the people who inspire you. This could be someone you know, such as a supervisor, family member or public figure. Identify the qualities you admire in them and try to replicate those in yourself.

Eg : The leadership style, any workflow structure or management style. 

By interacting with many types of people, you can learn new ideas and understand how to communicate and work with different personality types. You can also meet people and develop relationships that might help you in the future. Networking through industry organizations and shared interest groups or attend conferences and engaging in events on topics that interest you. You can also join ‘Cloud Counselage Professional Community’ (CCPC) to build your network and get corporate and industry exposure. To know more, please visit https://www.cloudcounselage.com/ccpc/

Writing in a journal every day or week can help you gain self-awareness and reflect on recent events, decisions and conversations. You might keep a hand-written, private journal, or you might choose to share your thoughts and experiences by blogging. Use it to set and assess goals and progress. 

These strategies helped me grow as an individual and also in my peer groups. Reading, learning something new, communicating and building new ideas lead my inner self to believe in myself. Prior to what interest you have these strategies will definitely help you to grow personally and professionally.