This informal CPD article, ‘3 Strategies for Achieving Career Progression’, was provided by Irene A. Agunbiade, of BBS Consulting, a management consulting firm that works with companies to create sustainable business growth.
When you decide to progress your career, you’re paving a path that helps you stay competitive during the promotion. Here are three of the strategies you’ll need. As the famous proverb goes, “charity begins at home.” If you’re looking for the best career progression opportunities, start looking within your network.
Moreover, career development flourishes once you define your goals and are passionate about progressing in your chosen profession. In addition to the prospect of increasing your salary, career progression comes in many forms, including career opportunities, promotions, and continuing education, and offers you the exposure that opens the gate to help you achieve your goals.
While every profession has a different roadmap and timeline for career progression, a general framework describes the stages most people experience throughout their careers. We have rounded up 3 strategies to help you create and reach goals based on the next steps in your career.
Embrace Your Network:
Sometimes the simplest steps leave the greatest impact. When it comes to advancing your career, consider nurturing professional relationships and expanding your network. You may not believe this, but you’re 10x more likely to obtain a job or promotion through referrals.
If you’re new to networking, start by staying connected, attending industry events, and offering help – or being efficient. This will help you to get noticed.
Take Performance Reviews Seriously:
Performance reviews are incredibly useful for the employer to show the employee where they’re meeting the organisation’s expectations and where they’re falling short. All too often, midyear and annual performance reviews are considered an afterthought to determine what they’re thinking about you. Prioritise identified outcomes or action plans and make sure to work on improving on areas where you fall short. It is only fair that you are rewarded with value based on the value you deliver to your employer.
Ask for More Responsibilities:
Some individuals make the mistake of thinking that their boss will know that they have earned the promotion or are ready for the extra responsibility. However, the truth is that you must be your own advocate if you wish to progress in your career. Start by actively seeking opportunities to take on additional tasks and projects that allow you to excel at your skill and demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
Raise the bar higher by gaining skills that enable you to function at a higher level than is expected of you and deliver results that help to achieve the organisation’s bottom line. To this end, it is also helpful to seek mentorship from those who are or have demonstrated value by being where you wish to be.
Your career progression begins with developing your capacity personally, and professionally. Demonstrate your ability to achieve productivity and be a key contributor to organisational growth. The more dedicated, skilled, and productive you are in your field, the chances are that you’ll land lucrative opportunities to help you grow more in your defined and desired areas. However, don’t just wait for the opportunities – make your own!
Be so good that decision makers cannot ignore you!
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from BBS Consulting, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
