Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
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In this competitive day and age, you should be thankful to have gainful employment at all. That said, it’s normal to have aspirations of better positions, pay, and skills. Unfortunately, though, opportunities to advance rarely just fall out of the sky. It takes some attention to detail and savvy skill on your part to get ahead in your career or business. If you are looking to progress in your professional life, these 4 things may help you climb the ladder of success faster.
Climb the Ladder of Success Faster #1: Build a Good Relationship with Your Boss
Your direct boss is your primary link to advancement. He or she knows your present work and capabilities better than anyone. Though you don’t need to have a personal connection to your boss, you do need to work well together. Don’t make assumptions about what he or she is thinking or doing. Be forthright and open with your concerns, questions, and ideas.
Let your boss know that you are interested in advancing in the company. If trust is there, he or she will assist you in preparing for more responsibility. You may be able to get inside information about upcoming projects or promotions, as well. This trust won’t be there if you have avoided your boss or don’t seem like a team player.
Climb the Ladder of Success Faster #2: Have a Killer Resume
Having a quality up to date resume is one of the most important aspects of advancing your career. If you are not a good writer, make sure to have someone else read through it to check for readability and mistakes. Even better, consider hiring a professional resume writer to bring it to the next level. If you plan to wing it on your own, use language that is clear, concise, and represents you and your accomplishments truthfully. Exaggerating or misleading readers here will only bite you in the ass later.
In addition to the content, you will want your resume to stand out visually. After all, HR managers and executives may have to go through hundreds of applicants to find the right one. You want yours to get to the top of the stack. And while strong qualification looks good on your resume, after they read it, you have to get them to look at it first. Find ways to add concise headings and bullet points that bring their eyes right to the main points. Also, don’t be afraid to use color to catch their eyes.
Climb the Ladder of Success Faster #3: Move to a Career with Potential
If you find yourself in a career that simply won’t take you where you want to be, move on. Though it could be the company you work for that is stifling you, consider what options you may have. Think about how fulfilling your present line of work is. Are you happy? Is it challenging you? Are you making the income you need? If you’ve answered “no” to these questions, it’s time to start looking.
Diversifying your skills is one way to shift gears in your career without getting too far from what you know. For example, you might have a medical or nursing background but don’t care for the hours. You might consider getting into another aspect of healthcare like becoming a care home administrator. Check out the present market for careers in related fields before you do anything. You want this move to be profitable, as well as fulfilling.
Climb the Ladder of Success Faster #4: Always Be a Team Player
If you are concerned about the bigger picture and your company’s goals, you will be seen as a team player. Yes, you are there to do a job and get paid, but going above and beyond for the team will pay off for you. Whether you decide to stay at your present position or not, your track record of caring about your job and others will follow you. Ask yourself this question: “What would my employers say about me to someone calling to do a job reference check?” If this scares you, it’s time to change some things.
Some things to steer clear of are blaming others, taking credit for a colleague’s work, and being resistant to change. In any role that you have, treat others the way you want to be treated. Be honest, fair and give credit where credit is due. To get promoted or even secure a new position with another company, you need a clean record. If you’ve not played nicely with others, do what you can to make things right.
