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Looking for simple and effective ways to open up your career options and give you more opportunities to grow and advance? Here’s what you need to do:

1. Network Like You Mean It (Yes, Even on LinkedIn)

I know, I know—networking has a reputation as the most cringe-worthy part of professional life. But trust me, it will help you to advance in your career better than almost anything else, and there are plenty of things you can do to make it as pain-free as possible. The key is to be your authentic self, instead of pasting cringe motivational posts on social media to hundreds of people you’ve never met, for example!

One of the most painless ways to connect is to sign up to LinkedIn, and then actually start posting and engaging with people as yourself. Learn a little about how to increase impressions on LinkedIn and you will be off to a flying start when it comes to career advancement.

2. Say Yes to (Almost) Everything

When you’re looking to expand your career options, “yes” should become your new favorite word. New projects? Yes. Volunteering to lead a committee? Yes. Learning how to use that confusing new software no one else wants to touch? Yes. It’s about getting noticed and proving you’re the kind of person who’s game for anything (within reason, of course—saying yes to mopping the break room floor might not be the career boost you’re after).

The more you say yes, the more you’ll be trusted with opportunities that matter. Before you know it, you’ll have a shiny new set of skills that make you stand out—and no, they won’t all be about how to refill the coffee machine.

3. Don’t Fear the Side Hustle

You know what they say about putting all your eggs in one basket—don’t. A side hustle can be the career insurance policy you didn’t know you needed. Whether it’s freelancing, consulting, or starting a business selling your homemade, organic, gluten-free dog treats, having another stream of income gives you options. And options are power.

Not only will a side gig fatten up your bank account, but it also shows potential employers that you’ve got hustle. Plus, if you’re rocking it on your own, you might just end up becoming your own boss. And let’s be honest, what’s more appealing than being able to fire yourself just to feel the power?

4. Keep Learning (Without Going Broke)

Gone are the days when the only way to move up was to drown in student loan debt. Today, you can learn just about anything online without breaking the bank. Think free courses, certifications, webinars, and workshops. Heck, you can even learn how to code by playing games.

Adding new skills to your LinkedIn profile (remember those impressions we talked about?) will not only boost your confidence but also make you more desirable to employers looking for someone who doesn’t have the tech knowledge of a potato. From mastering Excel to dabbling in SEO, it’s time to give your skillset a serious glow-up.

Don’t wait for opportunity—create it!