A career in business is really a massive blanket term used to cover a huge variety of jobs and paths. There is a lot of job opportunities for business-minded individuals, not just here at home, but all around the globe. With that in mind, it’s perfectly natural to assume the job you start in likely won’t be the one you retire in.
It’s typical for people to enter into a company on the ground floor, in a low-paid position, with the goal of working their way up the career ladder. So what happens if that has been your goal all along but you’re not seeing the kind of progress you had hoped for? Is there a way you can speed up the process and get employers to notice you when it comes to those higher-up positions?
If you’re starting to feel stuck in your current role and you’re looking for a way to move from the plateau you find yourself on, these tips on how to move up the career ladder can be extremely useful.
Create a Plan That Lays Out All the Steps
A great place to start is by laying out a plan that highlights all the steps you need to take in order to reach your goal. Simply stating you want to work your way up and get a better job isn’t enough; you will need to take proactive steps that ensure you’re ready to jump on advancement opportunities when they arise.
Within that plan, you should state your goal(s), what skills are needed, what experience is needed, where these jobs exist, and what you will need to do to fill in all the missing gaps. It can even be helpful to write it down as a blueprint, something that you can refer back to and track your progress on.
Further Your Skills and Knowledge through Education
Another tip is to consider furthering your skills and knowledge by means of education. This gives you a way to take a more specialised approach, which can certainly catch the eye of would-be employers or even prime you for a promotion at your current place of employment.
Aston University’s online MSC Business Analytics program is a great example of furthering your skills and really setting yourself up as an expert. This program is meant for professionals such as yourself who are looking to learn more about strategic decision making, problem solving, and analytics. Sure, your current experience and expertise are great, but they simply may not be enough to take you to the next level. Employers want to know that you’re bringing value to the table, so the more skills and knowledge you have, the more you have to offer them.
Become a Yes Person at Work
It’s also pretty amazing how many opportunities can present themselves at work that would help to get you noticed, build your skillset, and your experience. Rather than saying no to these opportunities because you feel intimidated, in over your head, or just don’t want to put in the extra time, it’s important to say yes. Even if this means working with other departments, it is still worth embracing the opportunity to work in a different area.
At the very least your department head or supervisor will notice the initiative and drive you are showing in your job, which can help to put in you the kind of position you need to be in the next time a promotion opens up.
Speak to Your Supervisor or HR Rep About Career Advancement
Depending on the company you work for, they may also offer opportunities that aid in career advancement. Many employers prefer investing in their own employees when it comes to skills training. It’s a lot easier, cheaper, and often more effective for a company to promote from within rather than search for outside help. But you can’t just assume your employer knows you want to move up the career ladder; you need to speak to them and make it clear about your intentions.
When speaking to your supervisor or HR representative, be sure to ask about any courses or training you can enroll in that would advance your knowledge. Your employer may even foot the bill since it is an investment in their business. And again, you are showing initiative – something that employers tend to look positively upon.
You can also ask them what is needed of you in order to qualify for advancement and your dream job. There may be specific items you weren’t aware of, so now you can start working on them.
You Can’t Avoid Networking
If you’re the type that doesn’t really enjoy networking or feels self-conscious doing it, it’s time to shift your thinking. Networking can be one of the best and most effective tools at your disposal when it comes to working your way up the career ladder. It’s a great way to connect with others in the industry, find a mentor, and of course widen your professional circle. You never know when a contact could potentially help lead you to your dream career.
The important thing to keep in mind about networking is your efforts need to stay consistent. It’s not about meeting people one time, taking a business card, and then never giving it a second thought. You need to actively engage with people, organisations, associations, and so forth. This could include being active in online forums for industry professionals, joining LinkedIn, attending industry events such as conferences and trade shows, and even reaching out to your contact list on a regular basis. The more effort you put into it, the greater the results will be.
Start Making that Climb and Reach Your Goals
So, if you’re tired of feeling stuck in your job, and you’re looking for a way to get closer to reaching your career goals, each of these tips can act as that launch pad that helps you in your quest to success.
