Moving up the career ladder can be difficult, and working out how to impress the boss isn’t always easy. It is frustrating to feel stuck, but there are some things you can do that can help you climb the ladder, ensuring all the right people see you as you go.
Expand your qualifications
Continued professional development is the buzz phrase no matter what industry you work in. Adding to your education as something you do outside of work shows bosses what you have to offer. For example, if you are an electrician, you could update your skills and take an 18th edition training course. Another excellent way to keep up with changes in your field is to subscribe to professional publications, whether in magazines or online outlets.
Find a mentor
It is pretty flattering to be considered mentor material, so why not approach someone in your industry that you think already has the success you are looking to achieve and see if they will act as a mentor. Learn from the way they undertake their tasks and ask questions so you can compare them to your current practices and update them. It is probably wise not to pick the person with the job you want to get, as they may see you as a threat and not help.
Networking
Finding out about new opportunities often comes from those around you in the same field. Platforms like LinkedIn enable people to make professional contacts in their industry. These contacts will often know about new learning opportunities and be aware of vacancies in other companies that might suit you well.
Plan for the future
Having an end goal helps you plan for all the steps in between. For example, achieving the dream role you know you deserve is easier if you work out what you need to do to get there. It helps you keep focus and stay on track as well, as, without a much-needed plan, it is all too easy to get distracted by daily tasks.
Get help
If you feel you lack motivation, there is nothing wrong with getting help. Career coaches specialise in helping you see things from a different perspective. They can often offer new ways of working that help you streamline your current workload and enable you to find the precious hours needed to implement your forward plans. But, of course, they are also well placed to help you work out the steps you will need to take if you are struggling with that too.
Build your soft skills
As you move up the corporate ladder, you will find that soft skills become of more interest to the hiring panel. If you are looking for more responsibility, you need to show that you have good people skills, can manage staff and are aware of time management and other essential factors. If your current role doesn’t have any scope to evidence these skills, consider taking courses in your free time so that you can show personal and professional development.