Employees want to work for companies that invest in them and their career development. Career development creates a positive work environment and shows that employers value their employees as real people with unique goals and potential.
And here's the really cool part: when your employees feel supported in their career paths, they're more likely to stick around, saving the company money on turnover costs and keeping a skilled and experienced team. All of these elements come together to create happy employees.
Plus, by promoting career development, employers stand out as industry leaders and attract top talent who are eager to contribute to a company that prioritizes professional growth.
Growth in the workplace is one of the 9 Happiness Drivers Amazing Workplace has perfected thanks to decades of extensive research, cutting-edge technologies, and practical experience in improving employee happiness.
But how does career development fit into that? And where do you even start helping your employees develop their careers? It can get confusing fast.
Don't worry, we've got your back! We understand how your unique employees want you to help them develop their careers, so we designed the Amazing Workplace® Platform, so they can be happy, productive, and amazing!
But First: Is a Career Different Than a Job? Why Does it Matter?
Job: a paid position of employment.
Career: a profession which is undertaken for a significant period of a person's life.
A “job” becomes a career when the person decides to pursue it for a significant period of their life. You might then simply say that the difference between a job and a career is the decision to “commit” to it. This is factually true.
It is easy to search online for information discussing the differences between a “job” and a “career.” While information varies slightly from expert to expert, the one constant is that the employee decides whether what they are doing is a “job” or a “career.” Experts, books, websites, and educators agree that the real difference between a job and a career is the employee’s decision about their commitment to the activity.
People who decide to commit to your company as their career, and not just their job, will spend their working life learning how to do each task as expertly as possible. Even better, they will learn how to help others get good at the tasks and jobs in the workplace.
They may decide to go into leadership. They may not. Either way, they decide to embrace the company’s values and align their attitudes with the company. They defend their organization and the people in it because they have decided they are committed to the company's success. This is just as true for working at a fast-food restaurant as for being a doctor at a hospital.
Why Career Development is Important for Happy Employees
For employees, career development is all about constantly learning new skills, gaining valuable experiences, and expanding their knowledge in the field. And it's not just about day-to-day tasks; it's a strategic approach to growing both personally and professionally.
Some examples of how you as an employer can provide your people with career development opportunities include:
- Encouraging them to take classes to gain new skills and making that more accessible with paid time off and other incentives
- Giving them opportunities to expand professional connections
- Setting up a mentorship program for guidance and advice
- Giving them new responsibilities and challenges
- Setting specific career goals and working together to create a plan to achieve them
When your employees have a clear path for your career growth, it really sparks their passion and commitment to their work. It's not just about moving up the ladder but also about equipping them to take on new challenges, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and making a meaningful impact on the company's success.
Employees who develop their skills and knowledge become a huge asset to you as an employer, creating a win-win situation where everyone thrives. And for employers, recognizing the importance of career development is crucial for attracting, retaining, and nurturing a talented workforce.
The Amazing Workplace® Platform: Helping Employees Turn Their Jobs into Careers
So how do you help your employees turn their jobs into careers? Our platform was built using decades of extensive research, cutting-edge technologies, and practical experience in improving employee happiness. It provides real-time insights to inform decisions based on how your employees feel.
Key benefits include the following:
- Improving recruiting
- Boosting productivity
- Enhancing financial performance
- Reducing turnover
- Prioritizing employee happiness
How does the Amazing Workplace Platform do it? Here are a few of the unique and powerful features that unlock employee happiness:
- Our platform leverages AI to capture employee emotions accurately and offers next-day access to actionable results
- The system empowers leaders to engage in meaningful conversations with specific employee groups about relevant topics to enhance happiness
- It includes an Employee Comment Management System to effectively utilize employee feedback and promote verified employee reviews for recruiting purposes
Organizational happiness is the foundation on which success is built—that foundation is provided by Amazing Workplace. Contact us today to schedule your demo!