No matter how long you've been doing a job, there's always something new to learn. New skills are needed to keep up with new technology and changing work practices. It's these things that help a business remain competitive and increase your job opportunities.

Very few people have the one job for life. You need to think about what job might be the next step for you. Just as you did when you were thinking about returning to paid work, it's important that you understand what skills you currently have and what skills you will need to develop for any future roles.

The next step

• What career paths are available at your workplace?
  Have you discussed your career goals with your employer or manager? If you haven't, make a time to sit down with them and share your plans.  Ask for advice on what you’d be best suited to and strategies that might help you get there. Ask about on-the-job training. Discuss how your current role could possibly change to accommodate new challenges.
  
• Research
  If you know what job you're interested in, are there any similar roles in the organisation? Make a time to talk with your manager. Talk to someone already in the position you want to be in and find out how they got there. They can give you invaluable advice.
  
• Plan
  How will you develop the new skills, qualifications or experience you might need to move forward? Will you need a formal qualification? Revisit the Building on your skills section for training resources.
  
• Expand your networks
  If your current workplace cannot accommodate your career goals, it might be time to move on. Remember that only 30 per cent of jobs are ever advertised. The people you meet through work or socially might be able to help you find the work you want.

Find a mentor

A mentor can help you feel supported and clarify your career direction. Your mentor might not always be your manager or your employer – but it does need to be someone whose skills and advice you value and respect and whose success you aspire to. Mentors can act as sounding boards for your ideas, plans and concerns and they can offer you valuable advice, insight and guidance.

Some workplaces have a mentoring program in place. But if yours doesn't, why not actively seek out someone to be your mentor?

Working with your mentor

Think about:

• what do you want to achieve?
• how will your mentor benefit?
• how formal or informal will the arrangement be?
• how often will you meet and for how long?

What mentoring can do for you

You might want your mentor to help you with:

• the direction you'd like to take in your career
• validating the work you’re doing and the value you bring
• motivating you to develop new skills
• building your professional confidence

The next step is to pluck up the courage to approach the person you would like to be your mentor and ask them.  More than likely, they’ll be flattered and you’ll find an invaluable friend to support you in your career journey.