STEPS TO GROW YOUR CAREER

We all want to broaden our horizons, learn something new, prove our worth, and climb the corporate ladder. Where do you begin? The first step is to identify the right company that fits your culture, passion, and industry. But, once you've found the right company, how do you advance? Here are five suggestions for advancing your career. 

1.) Build a solid network

Relationships are an important aspect of both your personal and professional life. Building a solid foundation of professional connections, whether with your current or former employer, is critical. In addition to your management team, clients, peers, and subordinates can all validate the quality of your work. Build your network carefully and continue to learn from people at all levels.

Utilize LinkedIn to your advantage. Create your LinkedIn profile and add your skills and contributions if you haven't already. Endorse your colleagues and ask for their support. On LinkedIn, a nod from your peers or a positive review from a previous client can speak volumes.

2.) Set goals

Take the initiative. Setting professional career goals is essential. Begin small and gradually increase your goals each year.

Discover your passion and connect with others who share your goals. You will have an even larger network to leverage expertise and resources if you share with others.

3.) Step outside your comfort zone

Look for chances to try something new and get out of your comfort zone. Is your company offering any classes or training? Does the company provide tuition reimbursement for the class you want to take? If you're unsure, ask!

Take a chance on a "stretch assignment" if you want to advance your career. Whether it's contributing to a new project or taking on a completely new role, this "stretch assignment" will broaden your skill set, expose you to new people in your company, and give you insight into the expectations and daily work of a different position.

4.) Seek out a coach or mentor

A coach or mentor can be someone from within or outside of your organisation. They should be a trusted advisor who can help you advance in your career. Determine who that person is in your life and see if they are willing to commit to your growth. You can have multiples. Remember that it should be someone who can assist you in developing your personal and professional skills. Consider a person who is currently in a position to which you aspire, or a person who can assist you in your professional development as you prepare for the next step.

5.) Take the leap

Are you ready to advance? Sometimes you just have to take the risk and find out. Make sure you can land on your feet first. Have you performed admirably in your current position? Have you realised your full potential? If you answered yes, it's time to take your career to the next level. Prepare to reference any positive comments about your performance from others before presenting your interest to your manager to solidify your next move. Include any previous performance evaluations to increase credibility.

If you've mastered your current role, moving into a larger or new role will seem like a natural next step. When discussing your next steps with your manager, inquire about the tools you'll need to succeed.

To advance to the next stage of your career, plan effectively, build relationships, and execute a growth strategy with guidance from your manager and mentor. A new path to success will emerge as a result of the execution of strategic goals. By taking these steps, you can significantly improve your opportunities for advancement and push yourself to the next level of your career.