Career advancement is very important for many people in a variety of industries. It not only gets you access to a higher income or wage, but generally a more secure and fulfilling job with better perks.
Unfortunately, not every job has the kind of upward mobility and advancement possibilities that you may desire.
Yet still, many of us feel stuck in our jobs and want to take things to the next level. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to give your career a boost, whether it is getting that new job or increasing your income.
Perfect Your Resume
While advancing at your current company is always a possibility, if you are looking to take your career to the next level with a fresh start, you will likely need to give your resume or CV a closer look. Your resume is your way to make a good first impression with potential employers. A resume or CV on it’s own likely won’t get you a job, but it can get you a foot in the door.
Your resume should begin with some basic information, and then get into your relevant experience, education, and qualifications. You should also use a format that presents information as cleanly and simply as possible.
Be as specific as possible in your resume. Give examples of your duties, rather than just stating you have experience leading teams, for example. Also, if you have not updated your resume in a while, and you want to ensure it is well-written and appropriate for today’s job market, consider working with a company like CV Pilots for guidance.
Build and Maintain Relationships
Throughout your career, you will make many relationships. These will be with bosses, managers, co-workers, suppliers and a variety of other people. When it comes to business, it is often who you know, not what you know. As a result, building the right relationships can be a great way to potentially take your career to the next level.
Be sure to introduce yourself to everyone you can, attend events, participate in team-building opportunities and everything in between. If you have a good relationship with someone, there is a better chance they will think of you for a potential job opening, promotion or other exciting development.
These relationships need to be maintained as well. Be sure to check in with people every now and then, and show a genuine interest in their career and life. Also, be careful not to burn any bridges. You never know when someone may be able to help you down the road, so always be kind and professional.
Be Proactive
Being proactive is also another good way to take your career to the next level. If you want something, you have to make an effort to get it yourself. For example, if you want a promotion or to be considered for advancement, you need to work hard, do good work and offer to take on more responsibility.
People will remember your willingness to help them, and this could keep you in the front of their mind when it comes to choosing who to promote or give a raise to. Also, if you are considering asking for a raise or a promotion, but be sure to go about it in the right way. Of course, be sure you have reasons prepared for why you deserve it.
Simply put, if you just wait around for something good to happen in the career department, there are no guarantees that it will.
Growing as an Employee
Growing and maturing as an employee over the years is important for climbing the ladder and achieving more success. Whether you improve your resume, build important relationships and be proactive at the office, these tips will be able to take your career to the next level.
