Technology has changed our lives in ways we could never have imagined two decades ago. The internet brings us the world at our fingertips – you can study online, do business and buy pretty much anything from almost any country 24/7/365.
As the number of people connected increases, so too do the opportunities to use the internet as a platform to promote goods, services…and even ‘you’.
In this blog, we look at how you can make the digital world work for your career.
There’s a reason some professionals devote a solid chunk of their day to monitoring and posting on social media. Not only can you quickly tap into the latest developments in your industry, but it’s also a great way to showcase your own knowledge and expertise.
For example, becoming known as the ‘go-to’ source for information will work wonders in raising your profile, simply by reposting interesting material, writing blogs or responding to the latest news from your sector.
Depending on your experience and the nature of your expertise, you may want to consider launching your own website, particularly if you want to set up as a consultant or if you have an online portfolio of work, projects, campaigns or business ventures to showcase.
You can sign up to job alerts and make your CV visible online with a professional profile on LinkedIn. This is a great way to build your network of contacts and can lead to more profile-raising opportunities, such as speaker invitations, the opportunity to attend conferences and other events, highlighted in our blog on the benefits of networking online.
If technology has taught us anything, it’s that change is inevitable. Even if you have a degree in your chosen field, it pays to stay abreast of the latest industry developments and ensure you’re up-to-date with the most in-demand skills employers need.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to switch careers, thanks to the expansion of online learning opportunities through experts like Cambridge Education Group (CEG), you can gain a specialist Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from the comfort of your own home.
To broaden your knowledge and experience, there are plenty of short courses available – you can learn a language or study a subject that fascinates you for free through one of the millions of free MOOCs (massive open online course).
Online volunteering can also be both beneficial and rewarding, allowing you to contribute to meaningful causes and help make a different in the world, while gaining valuable experience at the same time.
Sites like the United Nations Volunteers and Volunteer Match offer virtual volunteering opportunities across the world in cause areas like health and medicine, education, and community building that you can do from a computer, from home or anywhere.
According to statistics published earlier this year, in 2018, applications received through job boards accounted for a fifth of job hires worldwide and almost half of global job applications. The most well-known job sites include
Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder and LinkedIn, but there are numerous alternatives, allowing you to find work in a different country, industry or salary bracket. You can often apply immediately, using your mobile or laptop to submit dozens of applications in any one day.
Even if you prefer not to apply via an online jobs site, you can still use the web to find a new role and better prepare yourself when making an application and subsequently attending a job interview. For example, you can carry out your own in-depth research into the company, the job requirements, current trends and challenges within the industry.
Most corporate websites now have information about their latest vacancies and, since employers value loyalty, it makes sense to start with your current employer. There may be opportunities for progression or relocation, particularly if you work for a multinational with multiple sites in different countries.
Drawing on over six decades of experience in delivering the highest quality academic programmes online, CEG is now offering part-time, online undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes validated by London South Bank University (LSBU).
Studying a BA (Hons) in Global Business Management or MSc in Project Management* could be the first step to your dream job – you’ll graduate with a degree certificate that is awarded by a University ranked ‘top 5’ in the UK for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2021):