10 Tips on Career Advancement

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10 Tips on Career Advancement
Nowadays, it’s up to you to take control of your professional future and make sure that you are progressing wisely down the right career path. 

Here are 10 proven strategies to help you get started:

1. Talk to your boss. Sit down and have a very direct and pointed conversation with your boss about your future in the company. Stress that you want your job performance to meet the company’s goals. Share your own career goals with him or her. Your boss will respect this display of confidence and maturity.

2. Ask for more. Volunteering to help out other departments or teams — or simply asking for more responsibilities — increases your value within the organization. Asking for additional work shows an interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed. It also puts a spotlight on your value to the business.

3. Volunteer for boards. If you have your career set on something beyond what you are doing in your present position, seek out opportunities to volunteer or serve on advisory boards, where you can build a reputation as someone who is passionate and dedicated to your particular industry.

4. Sharpen your people skills. Strong interpersonal skills play a crucial role in gaining the respect of your boss and coworkers; they will also attract the notice of outside influencers who might open new doors of opportunity for you. Be friendly, outgoing, and personable. Listen carefully to people, and practice being a clear and effective communicator.

5. Be innovative. Never be afraid to think outside of the box and put your business acumen to work. Stay on the lookout for creative solutions to problems that will make you — and your boss — look good.

6. Find a mentor. Develop mentoring relationships, either inside or outside the company. Recent studies have shown that four out of five promotions are influenced by a mentor higher up in the company. Mentors are also great sources of information and career guidance.

7. Sell yourself. Learn the fine art of self-promotion. If you have had major accomplishments or created successful programs, make sure people know about it — especially those in influential positions who could help you advance professionally. Let it be known that you are seeking a promotion or the next step up in your career.

8. Keep learning. A proven way to advance in your career is to be continually acquiring new knowledge. Stay on top of trends or developments in your field and make sure that your current résumé reflects those needed skills.

9. Network. Strengthen your personal network and join professional organizations, attend industry conferences, or even volunteer. The more people who are aware of your strengths and abilities, the better your chances of hearing about any new opportunities that might arise.

10. Build your reputation. In business, your reputation is the most valuable thing you own. Be known for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look the part by dressing professionally. Make a name for yourself by attending conferences, delivering speeches, or writing articles.

Top 10 Tips for Career Advancement
By Bonnie Lowe

Here’s a list of the top 10 tips you can use to advance your career:

1. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” If you don’t know something, say so; don’t try to fake it.

2. Take responsibility for your actions. If you’re at fault, admit it and take the blame. If you’re wrong, apologize.

3. Never gossip. Gossip can hurt the careers of two people: the person being talked about, and the person doing the talking.

4. Never say “That’s not my job.” Don’t think you are above anything. Pitch in and set a good example, especially if the job is one that nobody else wants to do. Your willingness to do so will be noticed and appreciated!

5. Share the credit. People who share credit with others make a much better impression than those who take all the credit themselves.

6. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t let a difficult task get out of hand. When you need help, ask for it — before things get worse.

7. Keep your dislike to yourself. If you don’t like someone, don’t let it show. Never burn bridges or offend others as you move ahead in your career.

8. Don’t hold grudges. Life isn’t always fair. If you were passed over for promotion, didn’t get the project you wanted, etc., let it go. Be gracious and diplomatic, focus on the future and move on. Harboring grudges won’t advance your career.

9. Be humble. When you’re right, don’t gloat about it. Never say “I told you so!”

10. Make others feel important. Compliment others, emphasize their strengths and contributions, and help them whenever you can. They will enthusiasitcally help you in return.

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular “Job Interview Success System” and information-packed free newsletter, “Career-Life Times.” Information on both, and tons of tips for job seekers, can be found at her website,
http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

8 Career Advancement Tips From 8 Wildly Successful People 
By Michael Rochow

Career advancement is a tricky subject, but something every career-driven professional will be focused on throughout their career.
How do wildly successful people rise to fame and fortune in their respective industries? What qualities or habits do they possess that allowed them to accomplish such feats in a short period of time?
This article will be discussing the answers to these important questions.

1. How you make it is more important than how much you make

Working in an industry or under a job position that you don’t like for the sake of higher salary, job stability or better employee benefits is the wrong way to advance your career.
Remember, you only have one life thus you must pursue a career that genuinely interests you. If you do not enjoy or live for what you truly want to accomplish, you’ll never be able to advance to the top of your career ladder since there will always be internal resistance pulling you back.
Take Gary Vaynerchuk’s, CEO of Vayner Media, advice: “You just need to be practical and self-aware. Because 30, 40, 60 years from now, you’re not going to regret the few extra bucks you could have made. You’re going to regret not focusing your time and energy around the things that could have made you happy.”

2. Determine where you want to be

To quote Alfred Montapert, a famous author, “Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.” You cannot accelerate your career advancement if you don’t know what it is in the first place.
Determine what industry and what job title you want to earn and work hard for. Don’t just chase whatever the latest career fad is or whichever pays most.
This is an important life decision that will affect you for the remainder of your existence. Imagine yourself working for a company for the next 10 to 20 years. Will your future self be happy and content?

3. Work for the future

Short-term goals will get you there, but always have a long-term perspective of what you want to accomplish. Advancing your career for the sake of a pay raise or for the added glory of a job title are temporary pleasures in life and are bound to wear off as your ecstasy.
Work towards something more important than worldly possessions. Whether it’s to fund a remote village in a third-world country or to spark innovation in an important industry, always have a long-term goal.
As the successful billionaire, Warren Buffet once said, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

4. Take command of your ship

Michael Jordan, one of the best basketball players in history, said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
You, and only you, are in charge of your ship. If you live life everyday full of negative thoughts and material pursuits, then you’re steering your ship to the wrong direction.
Don’t wait for your company to notice your efforts and value.
Instead, charter your own career route, network outside the company, take classes and workshops, apply to positions that are light-years away from your skill level and experience.

5. Eliminate inefficient practices

In any business or office setting, there tends to be inefficiencies and flaws in the system, which cuts down productivity and growth and can drive your customers crazy.
So, what practices exist in your office that should have been long gone?
It can be pretty scary to go against the grain, but as Mark Twain said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
Before changing these practices, make sure to propose it to your management beforehand.

6. Never stop

Moving forward can feel pretty slow at times, but you must remember to never stop going.
This is what famous Chinese philosopher Confucius advises people. In his own words, “It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.” Make it a habit to build on your dreams every single day, whether it’s through networking, picking up new knowledge or honing your existing skill set.
Don’t settle for a 9 to 5 mindset or a 40-hour work week schedule. Work extra hours per day, not stopping until you’ve actually achieved the milestones you’ve set out to achieve.

7. Don’t be afraid to fail

It sounds like a broken record, repeated endlessly by so many successful people.
You should never fear failure when trying to advance your career, even more so if you want to do it more rapidly.
To quote Oprah Winfrey, “Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” If you fail, keep moving as the previous tip suggests. Do not fear failure, but rather fear not trying at all. Of course, it’s natural to fear failure, but successful people who’ve been there suggest doing it anyways.

8. Keep questioning the world

One of the most revered geniuses of this century, Albert Einstein, said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” That last bit of the quote implies keeping yourself curious about the world and what it has to offer.
Use your past experience to achieve things for your present life and to direct your future self. If you repeat this kind of routine every day, you’ll have a faster time advancing in whichever career ladder you choose to pursue.

Rapid career advancement should always be interspersed with moments of enjoyment otherwise the risk of burnout is high. Taking care of yourself is as equally important as any of these eight tips aforementioned.

About Michael Rochow
Mike is a passionate freelance writer. He writes about a number of subjects but really enjoys writing about jobs and the future of employment.