How to Fast-Track Your Career Progression

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Your plan for the future informs the actions you take in the present. Without a clear roadmap, you could end up wasting time on tasks and other priorities that won’t contribute to career growth. Having specific targets for the short-term and long-term allows you to make the most of your time and organize your life in a way that helps you accomplish the demands of higher-level positions.

Nurture your networks

It’s impossible to think about career progression without knowing the value of your peers and colleagues. You will want to be with people who have the same passion and work ethic as you. Rubbing elbows with the wrong people will only slow you down and provide distractions that will derail your growth.

Get additional training

Career advancement requires a great deal of upskilling. There’s no harm in being a specialist in your department, but focusing on only one area restricts you from more valuable opportunities. Consider acquiring new skills and perspectives that are valuable in higher positions. If your organization doesn’t offer any in-house training and mentorship opportunities, consider obtaining certificates or additional degrees that help you broaden your repertoire of competencies. A business intelligence degree, for one, is needed for supervisory roles that primarily work with data and conduct market research.

Be a team player

Productivity isn’t the only yardstick measuring a person’s readiness to take on leadership roles. It’s the capacity to lead and work with a diverse group of people that prepares you for the next stage of your career growth. If you want to progress fast, then demonstrate your value as a team player. Take on opportunities to collaborate and share ideas and set yourself up as an example of a good follower. The higher-ups will surely acknowledge your potential as a leader.

Develop your work ethic

The way you work changes depending on the role you’re assigned to. In any case, your work ethic should always focus on getting any job done solving problems as best you can without compromising your work-life balance. Build a “can-do” attitude and show everyone else that you’re capable of solving problems in the most efficient way possible.

Endnote

For your career to advance, there’s no magic formula you can cling to. All you need is to be involved with the right people, be a good team player, and show your value through the quality of your work. You will be able to reach the top in no time!

by Pamela Lattimore