Taking the next step in your career can enable you to move through the rungs of your chosen industry. That all-important promotion can ensure that your experience, skills, and knowledge are utilized in a way that befits everything you know.
Many people aim for career promotions in their lifetime. Despite one survey by Randstad suggesting that nearly 40% of respondents are satisfied with their current position and do not want to advance, many employees still plan to move upwards in their sector or company for a more fulfilling career.
If this sounds like you, what exactly do you need to do? To procure that promotion, you need to prove you possess certain qualities and skills, such as leadership, problem-solving, and communication, and demonstrate your abilities to convince those in a position to promote you to actually do so.
If you are unsure of how to progress or put yourself in a position to be noticed for any upcoming managerial openings, read on!
Set Goals and Timelines
First things first. You need clear and achievable career goals and a timeline to achieve them. This sense of direction and control over your career path is empowering. Look at what your end goal is and what you will need to do to realistically get there. Once you know where you want to go, you can plot your path from where you are now to where you want to be. This focus and determination will guide you in your career advancement journey.
Look at things like training, the frequency of job openings, competition, etc., to get a better picture of what to expect. Then, give yourself a realistic timeline to achieve this. It’s not something that needs to be set in stone; it’s a guide to help you keep pushing forward.
Know The Company or Industry
Next, before you even think about jumping up a few notches doing what you’re doing, you need to arm yourself with all the knowledge required to make the transition. This could involve learning everything about the company—how it operates, what its goals are, what it looks for in its leaders and movers and shakers, and what it expects of those in management or more senior roles.
Suppose you’re looking to move upwards in an industry other than your current organization. In that case, learning about the industry and competitors, knowing what you’re up against, what recruiters are looking for, and what will make you stand out is imperative.
Know Recruiters
Whether internal (within your current company) or external (recruiters from other companies or agencies), make it your business to know exactly who is in charge of recruitment, scouting new talent, or even just managers to impress. Once you know what you need to know, you can then get your name and capabilities on their radar.
Make connections, make a good impression, be the best, and be at the top of your game so they know what you’re doing and can monitor your progress, ready for when the perfect position fits your skill set.
Hone Your Skills
As mentioned above, you need to be expertly qualified for the positions you plan to enter. You might find you need more specialist training to help you niche down, e.g., moving from general nursing to emergency or pediatric nursing. You might also need to brush up on your soft skills to make you more appealing to employers. You might also need to check out the 20 skills managers should have to enable you to develop yours.
Look at the qualifications of others in your preferred position. Learn what they did to get there and how they honed their own skills. Learn from them, even if it’s what not to do, and give yourself the knowledge and skills required to be successful.
Challenge Yourself
Progress isn’t made by staying in your comfort zone. You need to push yourself to challenge what you’re capable of. The sense of accomplishment that comes from pushing your limits can be a great source of motivation. Ask your managers for more responsibility, take on side hustles that will benefit you moving forward, and surround yourself with new things. It can be anything that pushes you forward, forces you to think and challenge what you know. This motivation and inspiration will drive your career advancement.
Network
It’s not just connecting with recruiters that can benefit your career progression. It’s also a good idea to network with those in your industry who can open doors for you. The value of building professional relationships cannot be overstated. Sometimes, it’s not always about what you know but who you know and who can help you get places in your career. Networking can provide you with valuable insights, opportunities, and support, all of which can be invaluable in your career advancement.
Make it a point to attend networking events and let others know who you are and your capabilities. Make a good impression by being engaging, helpful, and insightful. The better people think of you, the more likely they will be to think of you when the right opportunities crop up.
Ask for Feedback
Another option to see how strong your position is in regard to promotions is to get feedback from those directly above you. Don’t be afraid to ask your immediate managers for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. You can start by scheduling a one-on-one meeting and expressing your interest in improving and advancing in your career. Where do you excel? What do you need to work on? Use this feedback to set goals for improvement and track your progress. Getting constructive feedback can enable you to see yourself from others’ standpoint and understand the impression you give off and the standard you are working towards.
Share Your Goals
Telling others about your career goals can ensure that they will think of you if the proper promotion becomes available or opportunities arise. Whether it’s colleagues, management, and HR in your current role, people you network with within the industry, peers, or friends, it doesn’t matter when you see yourself progressing. If others know this is something you want, they can help advocate for you, too.
Document Achievements
You will need to be able to prove you are the right person for the job when the opportunity arises. To help you do this, document all instances that support any application, even if you don’t directly use them. For instance, if you led a successful project, keep a record of the project plan, your role, and the outcomes. If you received positive feedback from a client, save the email or note it down. Keep a note of the evidence to support your claims and prove your ability.
Think of it as a more extensive CV or a portfolio if you wish. By tracking all of your major career wins, times you demonstrated your value, training and qualifications you gained, and anything else relevant, you can create a comprehensive record of your professional journey.
For instance, you can keep a folder on your computer with performance reviews, certificates, and project reports. The easier it is for you to show people what you can do and provide proof, the easier it will be to assess your suitability for the position.
Career progression can come in many forms. It can be working your way to the top of your current employee’s organization; it can be moving to the top of your field by becoming an innovator and someone others look to. It can be putting yourself in a position to start your own business or simply gain the relevant experience required to enable you to move into different sectors. By putting a plan in place, giving your goals and deadlines, and using the tips in this post, you can ensure that should opportunities present themselves, you’re well placed to take them.
