Many people would like to level up their careers, but only a handful ever get around to doing it. The majority of workers remain mired at the mid-level, never really advancing much beyond that.
The good news is that there are several ways you can improve your career prospects and get to the place where you want to be. Here’s everything you need to know:
Market Yourself
The first step is to market yourself. Don’t assume that a company will do it for you (they usually want to keep you if you’re good).
Treat your career like a business. You’re selling your time to clients (your employer) for the highest possible fee.
Therefore, you’ll want to put your best foot forward. Record your major achievements and career milestones on sites like LinkedIn and let people know that you are willing to work for them for the right price.
Think Strategically
You also want to think strategically. Instead of seeing yourself as a cog in the machine, you need to be the person driving things forward, even if your position in the hierarchy doesn’t require you to do so.
Don’t be afraid to solve management’s problems. The more you can show you can deal with the issues they face, the more likely they are to see you as a peer.
Once you understand the bigger picture, it can contribute to your organization’s success. Then you can position yourself for a promotion and make a stronger case to the senior team.
Sharpen Your Skills
It also helps to sharpen your skills. The more training you do, the more likely companies are to consider you for roles.
For example, if you want to become more senior in an accounting firm, it might be worth brushing up on your business analyst skills. These can help you better understand how firms work and the best financial path forward.
Be A Standout
You can also make yourself more visible by simply talking more and bringing more ideas to the table. The more you can contribute, the more people will begin to look up to you and respect you.
It is often the people who communicate the most who are the more likely individuals to be considered for promotion, even if their skill level is low. Chatting with senior staff and ensuring you contribute valid points to meetings can help your case and make you stand out from the crowd.
Take A New Perspective
From time to time, it can also help to take a new perspective. Stepping outside of your industry’s paradigm and asking whether you could do anything different can bring new insights to your firm that position you for career advancement.
Find A Mentor
Finally, you can try finding a mentor to guide you through the process. Professionals who have already ascended the corporate ladder can give you insights and knowledge to help you get closer to the top.
Mentors come in all shapes and sizes, but ideally, you want someone independent who stands outside of your organization. You don’t want anyone connected to the firm.
