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Achieving promotion
Getting promoted within your organization depends
on being seen to be doing a good job and having the
capability of doing a bigger job. You will probably
need to improve your visibility within the company
and cultivate key internal contacts, so become
known more widely. Try putting yourself forward
as a spokesperson for your team, or devise
presentations on aspects of your work that
you can deliver to a wider audience. Many large
organizations run fast-track schemes, so make
sure both your boss and the Human Resources
department know you are interested.
Considering options
A job is not just its title—it is the
experience you gain and what you will
be able to make of this experience in
your later career. If you are in a clerical
role, for example, why not volunteer to be
involved in the continuous improvement
program. And if people don’t see you as
management material, volunteer for an
external role, perhaps with a charity,
and develop your leadership skills that
way. Talk to your boss about opportunities
that may be open to you. If you are a
valued employee, your organization
will be interested in your future.
Changing jobs
You may need to leave your current
organization to achieve your aims, but
don’t act without careful consideration.
Ask yourself where you want to go to
next, rather than focusing on escaping
from the present. How will your move
look on your résumé three or five years
from now? Future employers usually
look favorably on an internal promotion
on your résumé. Above all, try very
hard never to leave a job on a sour
note—you will probably need an excellent
reference or testimonial from your
current employer to get your next job.
Moving on
For some, the ideal career is a series of well-timed promotions within
one organization, but gaining job satisfaction often necessitates finding
a new role in a new company. Each move you make should give you
the experience to progress in your career, so you should choose
your opportunities carefully. But when is the right time to change
and when is it better to stay put?
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CHECKLIST...
YES NO
Deciding if it is time to leave a job
1 Have I already gained all the experience
I can get from my current role? ........................................................
2 Have I exhausted all the development
opportunities open to me? ...............................................................
3 Do I have the appetite for a change? ................................................
4 Am I in good health? .........................................................................
5 Is the new job really a promotion? ...................................................
6 Will the new job provide the experience and
opportunities I need for my future? .................................................
Previous positions held
How successful you have been
Specific skills required for the post
A relevant range of experience
Appropriate qualifications
Prospective employers are looking for evidence of
five attributes:
At the interview stage employers will also assess your
attitude and “fit” with the organization. Examine any job
advert and try to decode it in the context of these attributes.
Seeking opportunity
01
02
03
04
05
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Qualifications These give an indication of your potential and so are
particularly important in more junior jobs. Even working toward
a qualification signals commitment and ambition to your current,
or future, employer. Examine job listings in your area of expertise
and analyze what qualifications employers are seeking; if you don’t
have them, enroll in a suitable course.
Experience There is no substitute for experience, but employers are not
necessarily looking for candidates who have spent long periods in the
same role—two or three years is often adequate. If you have spent less
time in a role, and particularly if you have moved several times, you may
be seen as someone who lacks commitment. If you have held one job for
much longer, you may be perceived to be too set in your ways.
Experience is what you gain from each job and each project you
undertake. If you make a mistake, learn from it. Reflect on everything
you have done and what you have learned. Also, use someone to help
you through a project so you can learn in real time. A mentor, a good
colleague, or even a family member can sometimes fulfill this role.
Skills Many of the basic skills you will need in any job, such as
negotiating, presenting, managing your time, and chairing meetings,
have been covered in this book. To hone your skills, identify your
preferred learning style and choose development experiences that
best suit you:
•
Do you learn best from reading books, trade magazines, or online
training material?
•
Do you prefer learning in the classroom, at conferences, or from
colleagues? Short courses give you the opportunity to develop
specific skills away from your colleagues, in a safe environment.
•
Do you learn best by doing the task? A great way to learn something
is by teaching it to someone else.
Getting that job
When seeking your next position, make
sure that you consider and address each
of the five qualities that recruiters are
looking for in your application.
Experience is what you gain
from each job and each
project you undertake
Key points for successful job applications
01
02
03
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Position Impressive job titles will look good on your résumé and may get
you an interview, but they are no substitute for experience. Discrepancies
are sure to come to light when you are interviewed by your new employer,
so be realistic.
When you apply for a new job, check that the content of the advertised
role matches the title. Is it really going to offer you the experience you
want? For example, the title of Assistant General Manager may sound
great, but in reality, will you be deputizing for the General Manager or
will you be little more than a clerical assistant?
Success Most recruiters are looking for success and may not even
shortlist you for interview if they don’t see evidence of progression
on your résumé. More astute recruiters will want to examine how
you have dealt with difficult and challenging situations. They want
to see if you are someone who learns. To address this requirement,
present yourself through a success story about your past. For example,
compare the two statements below:
•
“I was financial controller of a division in North Dakota for three
years and every month the books were closed on time.”
•
“I led a project to replace the accounting system with new software:
it was delivered on time and within the budget.”
•
The second statement clearly conveys success, where the
first simply describes a role. Showing that you have taken up
development opportunities and have been successful makes
your résumé stand out from the crowd.
Working toward qualifications
you will need in the future
Demonstrating progression
from junior roles to positions
of responsibility
Seeking out new experiences,
and actively learning from them
Using a mentor to help with your
personal development
Focusing only on improving your
technical skills
Expecting to be promoted purely
on your impressive qualifications
Leaving responsibility for your
development to your employer
Resenting your lack of promotion
TAKING YOUR CAREER FORWARD
Do’s
Don’ts
04
05
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