Climbing the Career Ladder Faster

f you want to climb the proverbial career ladder, either at your current employer or just in general, read below for a few tips on how to climb it a bit more quickly.

  • Always keep learning. This doesn’t mean you have to go back for a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree (although doing so could be a good idea). But it does mean you need to stay sharp and keep your skills up-to-the minute, stay abreast of changes and trends in your field of expertise, etc.
  • Become the go-to person your supervisor goes to when she needs a) a problem solver, b) someone who can do something well under deadline, c) someone who provides insightful input, and so on. In other words, you want to be the person your supervisor really can’t live without.
  • To paraphrase President John Kennedy, “ask not what your company can do for you, ask what you can do for your company.” That is, think more about what how you can help your company/department/boss succeed and you’ll succeed, too.
  • If you’re already in management, know everything you can about sales, operations, how each of your subordinates is doing and the career goals of each.  Know the goals your own boss has. Help all of them reach those goals.
  • Just as you help your company or supervisor reach his or her goals, help your subordinates reach their career goals, too.
  • Go beyond your duties and do more. Give your best effort all the time.
  • Look at problems as opportunities to overcome and make a difference.
  • The more passion you can show for your work and your field, the more people will look warmly at you.
  • Don’t forget to show or remind your bosses about your accomplishments. In a perfect world, supervisors would notice without a nudge on your part and reward you accordingly. But most of us are focused on our own goals, so while your boss probably notices your good works, he or she may not think to reward you with a promotion for it. So at least once a year (and preferably quarterly or even monthly), send your boss an update as to you accomplishments and the obstacles you’ve overcome.
  • If you’ve accomplished something above the ordinary, it’s OK to ask for a raise or promotion as you accomplish the feat; you don’t have to wait for your annual performance review to do so.

Looking to move up in a new position in Anchorage? Contact the recruiters at the Opti Staffing Group. We look forward to helping you take the next step up your career ladder.

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