Who doesn't want success in their career? Unfortunately most people struggle to move up the corporate ladder after a few years into their career. They believe that just doing their job should get them a promotion. However, the real world does not work that way.
When they look at people who are doing well in their career and moving up very fast, they believe that either the person is very lucky to be in the right place at the right time, or that they are doing something unsavory to get such career growth opportunities.
The reality is that if you want to be promoted and have a great career, you have to convince your superiors that you are ready for the bigger role and capable of bringing in or handling larger volume of business.
Here are the top 5 ways in which you can stand out from your peers and build a successful career:
1. Stand out / Differentiate yourself
If you appear no different from the 10 other guys around you, why will you get special treatment. You have to make effort to stand out by taking initiative, showing your passion for your work, deliver results, having great customer relationship and so on. Your career will skyrocket if you are able to create a positive brand image.
2. Go beyond the call of duty
People who just do the bare minimum work will remain trapped in the 'average' performer bracket. You need to take on more responsibilities and help others and think of the company's requirements. This will give you lots to talk about during your appraisal process. You will also get noticed as someone who takes a lot of initiatives and your career will get a major boost.
3. Be action-oriented
If you want to create something and do it faster than your competition, you need to the action-oriented. The best laid plans are of no use if they are not actually implemented. Waiting for everything to be perfect before launching a new product or service will only slow you down and keep you away from market realities. This can also have a disastrous impact on your career. So be action-oriented and get stuff done.
4. Be strategic
If one gets bogged down by day-to-day work and loses track of their goals, then it is obvious that they will not be able to make an impact on the company and also their own career. So be strategic with your work. Always have a bigger picture view of things and a medium- to long-term view of where you need to be.
5. Invest in yourself
Whether or not you know it, you have a brand. This brand is not just about your technical skills. It's about your executive presence, communication skills, interpersonal skills, strategic thinking skills and how you pitch your ideas and present yourself. It is critical to invest in yourself to develop these skills. If your company does not send you for training, do it yourself. You are responsible for your own career growth.
Do these five things and see how people start viewing you differently. You will see doors opening and more opportunities falling in your lap.
To invest in yourself, explore the career advancement courses offered by SoaringEagles. Many working professionals take out time on the weekends to enhance their skills. Check out the courses here.
No Comments