Let’s face it many people start out with great hopes and aspirations when it comes to their career. A few reach the very top, others make some progress and some get stuck.
So what can you do to increase your promotion prospects and achieve the career success you desire?
Determine Your Strengths and Development Needs
Before you can ever start to make any progress you need to know where you are starting from. We might all have great intentions but let’s face it with a busy work schedule it is tough to sit down and reflect. And the reality is that until you do you are going to find it difficult to play to your strengths.
Learn What Jobs At A More Senior Level Require
Imagine you were playing golf in the fog. It would be kind of difficult to know where the hole was and in what direction to aim your shot. Knowing where you are aiming for and what you need to do to achieve success is just as important in your career. Starting finding out what really matters at the next level and level after that so you can start building for that role.
Learn How To Lead and Manage
In just about every profession the only way to progress is to take on more responsibility. Usually this includes responsibility for managing and leading people. If you don’t acquire these skills you are at a huge disadvantage and are going to find it tough to progress.
Aim For The Right Target
The more senior you become the more important it is to become strategic when it comes to seeking out opportunities. While it might be nice to work in a particular sector unless you can show you have some exposure or understanding it is going to be difficult to get the results you want.
Demonstrate Commercial Skills
Professional people are in what is often seen as a support role. With more and more advances in technology the role is changing. Take accountancy as an example. Rather than being just about running processes, increasingly it is about partnering with non financial managers to find new and innovative ways of working or achieving more success for the organisation.
Get Comfortable Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone
It’s tempting for all of us to stay doing what we are already good at. Remember though when it comes to promoting people, employers are looking for potential too. It can be tough stepping out of your comfort zone but unless you do there is always a cap on how far you can progress.
Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps professional people to achieve more career success and get the rewards and recognition they desire. He invites you to sign up for his free masterclass on climbing the career ladder at https://www.goalsandachievements.co.uk/careers-main.html
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.