5 Basic Career Advancement Tips

Moving up in a career can be difficult, but not if you follow five basic tips for career advancement. Things like organizing your career goals, knowing when it is time to move on from a company, finding a mentor, telling people what you want and not taking things personally are all important steps to reaching your dream job.

Organize Your Goals

Identify where you are, where you are going and where you eventually want to be in your career. Without goals or an idea of what you wish to accomplish, you will not be able to advance because you will not know where you want to advance to.

Sometimes Moving Up Means Moving On

A study at Harvard Business School tells workers to ask themselves, "Have I been here longer than others in this job?" If you say yes to this question, it might be time to look for a job that is more stimulating or with a better chance of promotion. This Harvard study also reveals that, "Research suggests that the odds of advancement fall as a person's tenure in a job grows." Many people would think that time put into a company would make a worker more experienced and prime for promotion, but instead it shows contentment in the position. Also, hiring a new person with less experience for a higher position would allow the company to pay less instead of promoting you and having to raise your current salary.

Find a Mentor

Sometimes the best way to succeed in a position is to speak with someone who used to do that job and thrived in the roll. Seek out someone in your company or with a similar role in another company that could guide you. There is a lot to be learned about internal management as well as what it takes to get to the next step in your career from someone who is years ahead of you on that same path. Start by getting to know your co-workers and begin asking basic career advancement questions. After you find out who is most receptive to your inquiries, check in with them occasionally once you have formulated specific questions.

Tell People What You Want

If you have been working for the same company for over a year and have not asked for a raise or position promotion, most companies will assume you do not want one. Be aggressive. Once the year or even two year mark has passed and you have not been approached for a review for a raise, contact your superior or the person who hired you and request the meeting. Once you get the meeting, make sure you know what you want. Sometimes they might ask what salary increase you want, so have a concrete number in mind. If it is a specific position you desire, make that known in this private meeting as well.

Don't Take It Personally

Sometimes this is easier said than done. When a superior or executive takes their stress and frustration out on you, sometimes it is not your fault, but when you are at the bottom of the totem pole sometimes you are forced to stay put and just take it. Take a deep breath. Do not lash out irrationally. If you can handle stress and taking the hit of someone else’s stress, you can succeed in any high pressure situation. When you are denied a raise, sometimes it is a monetary issue and not one of performance. You cannot take this personally either, just take note of it and keep your options open for linear followed by upward mobility.