One of the most important things about job fulfillment is development. According to LinkedIn’s 2018 Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their careers.

We all want to be expanding our skill sets and broadening our horizons at work.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that sometimes you find yourself in a job where that just doesn’t seem possible. So here’s how to make the most out of your job.

1.      Have the honest conversation with your boss: If you feel like you’re underutilized, have an honest chat. There’s no way for your employer to know how they could better use your skills and expertise because perhaps you’ve never actually made that clear. Your boss will appreciate the conversation because they’ll see that you’re wanting to be there and together you can figure out how to best use your talents.

2.      Set self-imposed goals: Having your manager help you set some goals is highly motivating, but that doesn’t mean you need their involvement or direction in order to work toward something bigger. Ultimately, you’re in charge of your own development.

3.      Network within your own company: It’s a great way to ensure you’re maximizing each and every position you’re in. Getting to know people in other departments and positions not only allows you to establish beneficial relationships outside of your immediate team (which, trust me, will come in handy later), but it also gives you the opportunity to learn a lot about the different roles and how the company functions as a whole.

4.      Raise your hand for new opportunities. Regardless of whether you’re already in your dream gig or if you think of your current position as more of a stepping stone, every single job is what you make of it. That means you need to be willing to put yourself out there for new opportunities. Getting out of your comfort zone can help you pick up a lot of new experiences that will serve you well.

5.      Set aside some learning time. It can be listening to podcasts, reading articles, doing an online course – upskilling is not something you’ll ever regret doing.