A Guide for Growing Professionally at Work
Being an ambitious person, you may be interested in what you may be able to do to advance your career at work. You may be a new recruit, just entering the world of work at an entry level position or at a plateau stage in your career. You may be thinking of changing jobs or career paths altogether within the organisation. In any event you need to know how to approach the advancement of your career at work.
Firstly if you are considering a long term stay in a particular career, the academic aspect is essential. If are not yet qualified, you should consider getting your certificate, degree or whatever is required to take you to the next level. Experience is valuable, but more likely than not, someone with the academic qualifications may get the next promotion, in front of a candidate with experience alone. If you are already qualified, staying current is important, always be on the lookout for workshops and short courses that provide new research and information in your field. You may be able to offer a ground-breaking solution to a problem that has been niggling at management.
Having the right attitude is essential to growing professionally at work. Showing management that you are willing to go beyond the call of duty, will exhibit the go-getter attitude that employers want to see in their employees. They will be more willing to mentor and guide you if they see that kind of hunger. You may want to volunteer for projects that showcase your particular skill. Working late may make you more visible, but staying late to create a smoke screen is not a wise option. Late hours with nothing to show, may just prove that you cannot manage your time properly.
As you may already know, every organisation is a political entity. Office politics cannot be avoided. You need to know the kind of hierarchy your company or organisation uses. You may want to make sure that your work does not go unnoticed by the executive in charge of the team you would like to join. What is the point of success if no one knows about it? It does not mean that you should be pushy; you simply need to be strategic. Of course, aggravating the wrong people will not auger well for you. Yes, you are right; navigating the company landscape is delicate business.
If you are at a supervisory level, guide and teach those you have been given to manage properly. Let them learn from your experience. When they do a good job, it is a reflection of your leadership and mentoring. They will also spread the word about your capabilities, showing those who may wish to promote you what a valuable asset you are to the company.
With the tips provided above, you should be well on your way to moving your career forward at work and advancing to the next level.
