10 Quick Tips for Career Advancement

Career promotion, or advancement, usually refers to a current employee who desires to be promoted or hired to a better position that often includes increased responsibilities and salary. The employee may be looking to advance internally in their organization and/or externally to a different organization.

Here are 10 quick tips to help you toward career advancement:

1) Thoroughly know your unique wiring in life, your career interests and calling, and pursue your goals with excellence, quality, and due diligence.

2) Talk directly with your current manager about possibly adding work responsibilities and talk about your future work interests.

·       Note that you desire to meet and exceed expectations of you in your current role and to contribute excellent value. Know your role and go above and beyond at times.  Note that you are interested in being promoted and would like to discuss how that could possibly happen. Use and show facts and data about your achievements and contributions to date, especially recently (i.e. your win list, affirmations of job well done, accomplishments).

3) Be innovative at times; think outside the box with creativity; improving how things are done, solutions to problems, ways to save money, new ideas/projects, etc…

4) Continue developing relevant knowledge in the career role you are in now and in the path you are interested in advancing in.

·       Keep your professional application documents (i.e. resume) and LinkedIn profile updated accordingly. Build transferrable skills and qualities. Consider writing blogs or online articles on relevant professional subjects. Consider speaking and coaching at professional clubs, associations, and organizations.

5) Make positive impressions on those around you with an attitude of gratitude and kind friendliness.

·       Affirm others, have a smile, be personable/approachable, keep developing excellent interpersonal skills, seek to effectively communicate with people; leaders like employees who are a blessing to the people around them; be careful about any negativity that you may be exuding

6) Grow your professional network through relevant interactions, events, and LinkedIn.

·       Be and act professional, especially at work. If relational conflict arises, seek a peaceful resolution and avoid burning bridges with others. Dress the part toward advancement. Be conscious of what you post online.

7) Keep your leaders informed when projects are delayed or failed.

·       They usually like to be aware of any issues and what is being done to improve the situation. This forthright honesty will help when they consider promoting you.

8) Learn to self-promote with confidence and humility.

·       Be self-aware and able to talk about the best of what you bring to the table in your current role and a potential advancement role. Stay teachable, flexible, and humble and be a learner.

9) Have a mentor and be a mentor; receiving and passing on professional development influence.

10) Engage in volunteer opportunities related to your career path goals.

·       This will help you develop relevant skills, network with relevant people, help improve your resume, and look good to your current and prospective managers.

What do you think about these career advancement tips and do you have other tips to suggest?

Mike Mullins