7 TIPS TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER

Do you ever feel like you’re struggling to progress in your career? This happens to a lot of people, especially when they’ve been in the same job for many years – they start to feel stuck. 

You may be watching others advance, while you stay in the same position. On the other hand, maybe no one has been promoted for a while. Regardless, there are things you can do.

If you want to start climbing the career ladder, of course, the goal is to do it sooner rather than later so you can benefit from higher pay, better hours, and a new title. 

But, this will take some effort on your part. So, how can you advance in your career faster? Here are seven tips to help you get that promotion: 

1. Make a plan and commit to it 

Before anything else, it’s important to make and commit to a career development plan. This will help you understand what your personal goals are and how you plan to achieve them. 

Start by identifying what your priorities are and where you see yourself in one, five, or ten years’ time. What would your ideal day at work look like? What are your long-term career goals?

Then, you can think about how you plan to achieve them. This might be by looking for a new job elsewhere. Or, you might decide to progress within your current company. Either way, make sure you’re applying for positions that are interesting and fit in with your aspirations. 

2. Ask for what you want 

If you’re not progressing as quickly as you would like, it might be time to start taking the initiative and asking for what you want. 

Job performance alone won’t always open up doors for you. Sometimes, you need to be more direct and show your boss that you’re dedicated and want to move up the career ladder. 

You can even ask for a promotion directly by approaching your boss at a review, or by setting up a meeting. Remember to show them how you add value – and always be willing to negotiate. 

3. Build and expand your network 

If you plan to move forward with your career, it’s essential to always be building and expanding your professional network. This will open up doors to new opportunities. 

Make sure you set aside some time to networking so you can give it your full attention. There are lots of options for making contacts. For example, you can go to networking events or conferences, or you can network on social media. 

LinkedIn is one of the best options for online networking, so take some time to improve your profile so it stands out. You can then use it to join groups that are relevant to your industry, network with others, and take part in online conversations. 

4. Develop your skills 

Another part of advancing your career is improving yourself. This means developing yourself personally and learning new skills so you can improve your performance. 

One way to do this is to read books and take online courses about your profession or industry. You can also obtain a new qualification or take part in training that will help you stand out. 

Some companies even have benefits like tuition reimbursement or company training. If this is the case, make sure you speak to your manager or HR so they can help you get started. 

5. Take on new challenges 

Showing that you’re happy to take more responsibility and more challenging projects is a great way to advance within your current company. It shows your boss that you can handle more work and that you are willing to go above and beyond as a team member. 

To advance in your career, make sure you volunteer for new tasks as much as possible. You can also discuss taking on more tasks at your next performance review.

6. Work on your confidence

Sometimes, competency alone isn’t enough to stand out. You also need to be confident. If you are shy or unsure of yourself, now’s the time to promote your skills and abilities. 

Taking more risks is one way to show you’re a confident person. You can also work on your body language and communication skills. Always speak out about what you want, and make sure your body language is open, rather than timid or closed off.  

7. Have a positive attitude 

Lastly, having a positive attitude will make you someone people want to work with. Having good people skills is an amazing way to show that you would be a great candidate for promotion. 

Start looking for situations to help your coworkers or boss so you can demonstrate that you’re a team player. This also shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile without being asked. 

Being proactive is an extremely important positive habit to adopt. Rather than complaining or being negative, try and show that you’re dedicated and hardworking. 

 

As you can see, there are many ways to advance your career. All these options are designed to improve your skills and help you succeed. 

Sometimes, you can progress within a company. But, there will be occasions when the only thing you can do to get a promotion is to leave the company. 

There may be no room to grow, or the business could be on the verge of shutting down. The point is not to let fear overcome you. Step out into the world and get what you deserve.

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