Imagine if there are a few steps to follow for your career advancement. You are all striving to enhance your talents, advance in your careers, and, overall, like your work. However, there are several measures you must take to achieve your professional goals.
Your organization is also providing exclusive training for a more comprehensive professional spectrum. It would help if you decided whether you are looking for career advancement in a specific project or position.
Or, I can ask: "What does career advancement mean to you?"
While you think about this crucial question, I will discuss the major tips regarding your career advancement and how you can achieve it.
How to advance your career?
1. Prepare for your next role early
Most of you prepare for your next day's tasks before sleeping. So that you can execute your tasks effectively the next day, when it comes to advancing your career, you need to start planning for the next few years. For example, consider getting promoted to a Senior software engineer role. In that case, you should look for such projects, take decisions you have been holding back for a long time, and create your vision board so that when you wake up every morning, you stay honest to your career.
2. Earning professional certification in your profession
What are the opportunities for advancement? Whether you are a professional or a fresher, I know this question often comes to your mind. Fortunately, any professional can apply for exclusive certification in their field today. One crucial thing to remember: If you are going for any professional credential, you should also have some working experience and an educational degree.
The degree and the professional experience provide a background to your certification courses. I am saying that with the skills, you can progress. Still, we focus on specific education that teaches you the discipline of working with challenging projects, creating strategies and accomplishing the set goals.
3. Observe the training opportunities you have
The majority of us require supervision and direction while we learn. Your abilities and career can be 10x with the appropriate people and atmosphere. Go after a formal training opportunity in your area to get started. Look for accredited professional development organizations in your area near your location.
I have seen various candidates; ponder the question, "what are the opportunities for advancement"? They focus on their learnings singularly but need to remember to go for proper training modules to implement the theories they have learnt. That is why we can see various candidates needing help with the tools and office training. You will save precious time in 24 hours and efficiently accomplish your goals if you go for formal training.
4. Look for sponsorship
While finding a person to advocate for you professionally in your job may appear similar to finding a mentor, sponsorship includes the opposite. The Balance Careers website states that a sponsor could suggest you for a position, make calls on your behalf, introduce you to people, or speak up for you in meetings. Finding a sponsor may involve extensive networking and marketing until you find the appropriate person.
5. Moving horizontally and not vertically
According to a Forbes article, horizontal advancement refers to unlocking doors on the "level you are already on" instead of going up in an elevator. This is a subjective overview for the candidates if they want to take the horizontal/vertical for progress. What does career advancement mean to you? You think about this, and we will discuss this at last.
While there are several ways to move horizontally, you can start a conversation with someone already working in your desired position. Inquire if they would be open to having you "shadow" them formally or informally.
Another way is to boost your strategic flexibility and exposure to a broader range of stakeholders. As I mentioned, create a vision board, figure out which role you want in the next 2-5 years, and also what experiences and skills will help you reach there. Finally, ask your mentors and managers if they have anything useful for you in the lateral roles.
6. Join professional groups and associations
Why stick to one work or experience for your career growth when you do not adhere to one piece of feedback? What does career advancement mean to you in real? When you show your work to multiple people in your network, they will provide you with additional benefits, including discounts, updated learning materials, access to private training events, and the chance to network with industry leaders. Consider your network as your primary professional assistance source, and ensure you are always in the correct circles.
I am sure you know the local communities and organizations in your field. If you are inclined towards more informal meeting, you can quickly join groups on Linkedin, search for meetups nearby, and use other tools to connect to similar industry people.
Conclusion
Thinking about your career advancement is overwhelming. It is more taxing if this is the first time you have thought about this. It's better to take one step forward and network with relevant communities, seek mentors, and discuss it with similar industry people.
Trust me, even if you are stuck with challenges, you will come out soon. Focus on what is essential in your career right now.
Shellye is committed to helping people from diverse backgrounds to achieve their aspirations in careers and life. The content published above was made in collaboration with our members.
Shellye Archambeau is determined to help you with all possible strategies to climb the ladder of success. She values your feedback. Do mention them in the comment section below.