4 Smart Ways to Support Your Career Advancement Goals *

AD | One of the main benefits of career advancement is the possibility of increasing the amount you earn. That’s a pretty powerful motivator, isn’t it? However, it’s not the only one. Planning and then hitting your career advancement goals can also boost your morale, allowing you to be more motivated while at work. There are plenty of opportunities for this so, if career advancement is something that features in your professional development plan, read on for some ways you can achieve this.

How to Support Your Career Advancement Goals

Firstly, you need to be sure why you want to advance your career. Is it to earn more money? To gain more experience in a particular field? To be able to travel with your job? Do you have a particular interest or vocation? Or do you want to go freelance or own your own company one day, for example. Once you know your why, it’s much easier to implement the what, when, and how.

Obtain Another Qualification or Degree

Taking your education to the next level can be one step towards your career advancement goals, so consider the areas you’re interested in moving towards. For example, if you want to gain a business management position, you may want to study for an MBA with a specialisation in leadership. While paying for school can be difficult, it can definitely reap dividends once you get that promotion. And you always have the option of taking out a student loan from a responsible private lender to pay for your graduate education. Do your research first though and make sure you read and understand all the information they send you though, for your own peace of mind.

If you’re exploring graduate study options, looking into reputable MBA programs in Canada can help you compare schools, specialisations, and admission requirements to find a program that aligns with your career goals.

Use Good Communication Skills

You should be clear about what your career advancement goals are for. Whether you’re interviewing or already working, don’t be shy about wanting to move up the career ladder. As long as you employ professional and respectful communication skills you can afford to be more assertive. You might ask for more challenges or responsibilities, for example. Show your initiative by looking for things that need to be done and suggesting ways for you to take on and resolve these tasks.

Then, once you’ve exceeded your role’s original requirements, you’ll have a strong case for asking your boss to consider you for a more challenging position. Better still, if you know someone higher up than you in your organisation or chosen field, they can often advocate and support you when you apply for a higher position. They can also be a mentor and help you connect with and get to know others in your industry. All these things can make it much easier to hit your career advancement goals when the time comes.

Acquire Volunteer Experience

Voluntary work experience is looked upon very favourably by many employers as it demonstrates initiative again, as well as dedication to your career development. You might choose to volunteer for departments or teams in your organisation, for example, as it gives you the opportunity to learn how other aspects of your company work. And getting to know different departments can help you decide where – or indeed if – you would like to advance within this organisation. If your current employer is willing, you could also volunteer for different companies within the same industry. For example, let’s say you work in the environmental industry – you could be on an advisory board for a non-profit group. This additional experience can help you become better-known in your field and expand your network of connections as well.

Look at Job Listings

A good habit to get into is keeping an eye on job listings – either those of your employer, or those over on the business connections and networking site, LinkedIn. Some positions might be higher level than your current role, but as long as you’re qualified to carry them out, don’t let any perceived lack of experience stop you from applying. You might want to check with the manager or your HR department (if it’s an internal role) to get advice on what the position entails before applying. And if it’s an external role with a different organisation, don’t be afraid to reach out to job poster if you have any queries. Remember, recruitment is a two-way process: know your worth, they need to convince you to work with them too. Good luck!

Have you ever tried any of the above methods to support your career advancement goals? Do you have a career development plan? What other tips do you have for career advancement in your professional life?

* This is a sponsored post.