As you contemplate your career, where do you hope to be in five years? Three years? Next year? Do you want to advance your career? If so what are you waiting for? Start taking the steps needed to advance your career today. It’s not going to happen unless YOU make it happen.
Create a leaning plan and share it with your boss.
Employees who proactively share their plan with their manager will be more likely to receive the support and guidance needed to advance their careers than those who do not. Involving managers early and often ensures that employees are creating plans that align with business objectives and will gain the support of the organization.
14 tips for your learning/career plan
- Reflect on personal and professional interests.
- Determine short- and long-term career goals.
- Assess strengths and weaknesses against desired job roles.
- Develop a plan/strategy to close gaps and achieve goals.
- Discuss learning and development options with others.
- Determine a realistic timeframe for goal completion.
- Evaluate the progress to goal completion.
- Continue to re-evaluate and asses learning activities and career goals.
- Have career development conversations & make your aspirations known to your manager.
- Have a process to plan & manage your career, including activities & timescales. Define realistic targets that match organizational needs.
- Assess your abilities and get frequent feedback on your performance & abilities from your manager.
- Have career development conversations & make your aspirations known to your manager.
- Seek information on how to prepare for internal positions to which you aspire.
- Accept the reality that you, not the organization, have primary responsibility for managing your career.
Only 38% of people know both where they want their career to take them in the next 5 years and have a plan to get there.
Practice new skills.
Continually seek new learning and on-the-job growth opportunities. Become a lifelong learner by pursuing personal development and career advancement courses that help you learn the skills necessary for success in today’s world, plus help you shatter your weaknesses and magnify your strengths. Creative courses count too, so don’t shy away from that drawing class you’ve always wanted to take. Both sides of your brain will thank you.
Do an outstanding job in your current position.
The best way to be visible and rise higher in your career is by being passionate about your work and doing it exceptionally well. Executive recruiters always are looking for talented up-and-comers to watch and typically hear about them from friends and colleagues.
- Strive to be the best there has ever been at your job.
- Have a passion for your job.
- Do more than is expected of you.
Understand that sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards .
If you are contemplating a career switch, it is possible that you may initially encounter a pay cut or a lower title. However, if moving to this position poises you for where you would like to be in a few years, the move may very well be worth it in the long run.
Manage your own career, because nobody’s going to manage it for you.
Stay Current With Industry News.
The days of manually searching for news on a specific topic are over. Today you can easily set up email alerts that will notify you if new online content is available.
Promote yourself.
People who are more proactive self-promoters are better able to advance their careers and increase their salaries, and are overall more professionally satisfied, than people who were less likely to make their achievements visible.
Keep an updated version of your CV on hand at all times.
Keep a running list of your accomplishments. Anytime you do something new, add it to your list.
Help and mentor others.
If you have subordinates make sure you coach and develop them. Nearly every single one of us has had a “hand up”, a mentor, a key advisor who has guided us in the right direction, provided us incredibly in depth advise at the right time, or even opened a door for us. It is important on us to do the same for someone else, to “pay it forward”. The goal is to have your subordinates skilled enough so they can take over for your job. Otherwise if there is an opportunity for an internal promotion you may not get it because you are too critical to stay in your position.
Establish relationships with influencers .
Beyond finding a mentor within your company, you should also look to other influencers within your industry from whom you can learn. “[Influencers] are people who are in the loop with respect to industry trends, opportunities and career insights”.
Be a storyteller.
Most people are more affected by story than by statistics. Story appeals to the emotion, which is what motivates most people’s behavior change. So, have 3 anecdotes ready to tell at PA Privé networking event.
Network smarter and more often.
Regardless of your situation or occupation, networking can help you reach your career goals. Join Network events related to your career, focus on building relationships, not just contacts. Connect with people, develop meaningful conversations, and seek for advice. The vast majority of job openings are never advertised; they’re filled by word of mouth. That’s why networking is the best way to find a job and connect with relevant people in your field.
Set stretch goals.
Set stretch goals, but don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Develop – and use – your contact list.
When you meet people and they hand you a business card, make sure you actually put it in your contact list, and then keep in contact quarterly or twice a year for the “hot contacts” that might help you down the road to advance your career.
To have success in any field it is imperative to be a life-long learner and always stay ready for the next opportunity that may come your way. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines advancement as progression to a higher stage of development. In order to go far in your career it is imperative to do the work, stay positive and keep an open mind to reach new heights.
Do you have more career advancement tips to share with us? please share your tips below.
