With most of us spending more than half of our lives dedicated to our jobs, a common desire is to find the opportunity to move up within your company and advance your career. For hard-working individuals, it quite often takes time to get the promotion you’ve been longing for. If your desire is to grow your career and advance within the workplace, there are steps that you can take to help ensure a long and thriving career.
1. Communicate with your Boss: If you’ve been wanting to make a change within your career, one of the most helpful things you can do is to let your boss be aware of your aspirations. Oftentimes, you don’t get a promotion unless you ask for it or let your boss know that you would like more of a challenge. Being clear and communicative with your supervisor can help you achieve your career goals more easily. It also opens the door for transparency between you and your boss.
2. Dress For the Job you Want: One of the most important things to do if interested in getting a promotion is to dress the part. If you don’t already, showing up to your workplace looking professional and put together will help show your workplace where you want to go, career-wise. Even if your office has a more casual dress-code, you should still purchase a couple of casual dress shirts along with some nice trousers to help make a lasting impression on your boss. This will show that you’re present, serious and dedicated to the professional atmosphere.
3. Take on Extra Responsibility: A way to show what you are capable of achieving is to not be afraid to take on more responsibility in the workplace. This will show your boss that you are committed to growing your career. A suggestion is to let your boss know that you are interested in doing more and offer up your services to help. They will appreciate you stepping up to the plate and being open to a challenge.
4. Build Your Network: Building connections whether it’s in the office, alumni, or mutual friends is nothing but helpful when you’re looking to advance your career. LinkedIn is a common networking site that allows you to not only connect with people online, but also can help serve as references for any open position you’re looking at. Another great opportunity is to attend networking events that are commonly held at colleges or local organizations. An online tool specifically made for this is ticketing platform, Eventbrite. For example, NYC is often a hub for professional gatherings, in which case the New York City events page could be a huge asset. This resource has a whole section on business and professional events that will keep you in the know and present you with great networking opportunities. Or, if you’re based in the UK and are interested in staying local, there is a whole London events page with plenty of networking opportunities available.
If you’re someone looking to grow your career, keep these tips in mind and be open to stepping outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself. Be confident in the work that you do and what you’re capable of and take the next step in making your dreams come true within the workplace.
