26 Apr 2023
Some experts say that the day you start a new job, you should start to plan for your next career move. That really is a good piece of advice. Thinking and planning ahead in today’s business world is the best way of increasing your chances of taking that next step up the career ladder. If rapid career progression is important to you, developing a career plan is definitely a good way to proceed toward it.
There are a number of strategies you could incorporate into your career plan – but here are the four we think are the most useful
1. Develop new Knowledge and Skills
One of the best ways to succeed in getting a promotion is to expand your knowledge and skills sets in areas that are critical to your employer. As technology and other environmental forces change rapidly, you need an ever-increasing skill set not only to perform your job, but to stay marketable.
Additionally, employees who learn about all aspects of their employer’s business will do well. Spending time with other teams, and getting to know the whole company, can really set you above the blinkered colleagues sitting next to you.
This will give you the advantage of not only knowing how other parts of the company work, but of developing interpersonal relationships and networking throughout the company. You never know who you will impress.
2. Ask for More Responsibilities
Volunteering to help out other departments or teams — or simply asking for more responsibilities — increases your value. Asking for more work shows your interest and desire to help your department and company succeed — as well as putting a spotlight on your value to your employer.
Just be careful that asking for more work doesn’t see you stretched to the limit for no real acknowledgement or reward and becomes expected.
3. Be a Real Team-Player
Because so much work is now accomplished through teams — departmental or cross-functional — it becomes even more important to share successes with your team and to avoid pointing your finger when there are failures. Even where there are pretty clear failures from another team, try to keep the blame as broad as possible so it doesn’t land on particular people. They will appreciate this and have your back in return.
By being a team player, you build your reputation and increase your value.
4. Identify problems, and find solutions
There are far too many people willing to complain – about processes, policies, structures or responsibilities. We typically see that the complainers are the ones who tend not to do so well.
On the flip side – people who identify a real problem, and then constructively present a logical solution to their boss, can really make a great impression. Even better if you’ve developed a solution with your colleagues as you’ve shown you’re a team player and have some valuable leadership skills!
And finally, keep your CV up to date and accessible at all times. You never know when someone is going to ask for it.
