Image Courtesy: J from the UK
Are you a natural born leader who is interested in advancing your career? Or, perhaps, you are getting bored with your current position and looking for a new challenge!
If either scenario sounds familiar, then we have some good news for you. There are a number of great ways that you can get ahead professionally.
Here are five strategies for advancing in your company:
1. Set goals for yourself
Many people set professional goals for themselves at their annual reviews, but they don’t necessarily stick to them. If you are truly committed to advancing at your company, you want to make sure you set and achieve your goals. Goals can be simple or more complex. Keep in mind that your good goals will push you out of your comfort zone a bit, but they are still within the realm of possibility. For example, if you are in sales you may want to set the goal of bringing on board five new customers, rather than increasing your sales revenue from $50,000 to $10 million in one year.
2. Further your education
Have you been putting off going back to school because you’re working full time? There’s no better time to do it than now. Many colleges and universities offer specialized leadership degree programs. And some programs offer the convenience of online courses. This is especially helpful if you are working full-time and need to create a more flexible schedule. Taking some courses can truly help you get ahead.
3. Technical training
Could you benefit from some specialized technical training? Chances are you probably use software or systems in your department that you are not completely familiar with. Why not find an education program that can help enhance your technical knowledge, and sign up for the next training session? This will help you preform your job more efficiently and potentially give you an edge on your competition. It’s always a good idea to stay ahead of the technology curve if you are interested in advancing at your company.
4. Work hard
This one probably goes without saying, but if you want to advance at your company you need to work hard. After all, nobody said it would be easy! So make sure you are making the most of your work time, consistently meeting deadlines, and doing your best work every day. If you make the commitment, your hard work will not go unnoticed!
5. Be a good team player
Part of getting ahead is being a good team player. While you can get ahead without being well-liked, your chances of advancing will exponentially increase if you work well with others. But don’t confuse being well-liked with being a doormat! Just because a colleague asks you to do something doesn’t mean you have take it on if you are overloaded with projects. Being a good team players is about give and take.
Many people are looking for ways to get ahead at their company. Luckily, the formula for getting ahead is sometimes easier than we think. Sometimes it is as simple as setting goals that will push you out of your comfort zone, seeking out appropriate technical training, furthering your education, working hard, and being a good team player.
About the author: Janet James is an organizational psychologist that works with major companies to develop leadership and workforce solutions. She’s also an adjunct instructor teaching online courses in organizational leadership.
