Career progressions tend to be a life goal that many of us rank highly in our list of priorities. This makes sense. A good career can mean more financial stability. It can mean a larger income and, consequently, a generally better quality of life. It can fill you with feelings of achievement. But sometimes, career progression isn’t completely straightforward. It’s a subject that can leave us feeling stuck, lost or frustrated. But things needn’t be this way. Here are just a few different steps you can take to make significant advancements in your career!
Leave Dead-End Jobs
We all want to progress in our careers. At the end of the day, nobody really wants to be stuck in a dead end job unless it’s a dead end because you’ve reached the top of the company. Dead-end jobs can prove unfulfilling. It can be difficult to stay motivated in them. It can result in feelings of stagnancy and boredom. This isn’t all too surprising. At the end of the day, the majority of us work for money, so you’re always going to want the chance to improve your income. Many of us also enjoy the challenge of progressing and being promoted, as it endows us with a sense of acknowledgement and achievement. So, the first step towards progressing your career is to leave your dead-end job if you find yourself stuck in one. Sure, it’s fine to accept a job knowing that it’s a dead-end role in order to advance your resume and get some experience under your belt. But you don’t want to end up stuck in it for too long. Usually, a year should suffice.
Gain Qualifications
Another way to advance in your career is to gain qualifications. The more qualified you are, the more justified you can feel in requesting a more prominent role within a company you’re applying to, or requesting a pay rise and promotion within the company you already work for. Qualifications are generally a proof of some sort of study, so employers will know that you have the right knowledge and insight when you really have them. There are plenty of different types of qualifications out there and many bodies that provide them are offering increasingly flexible learning options. Often, you can study part time, remotely, flexibly, or in other ways that make gaining qualifications a whole lot more achievable for you when you’re trying to maintain a job and other responsibilities!
Pass Your Driving Test
Being able to drive significantly increases the number of roles you can apply for. Think about it. If you can’t drive and don’t have your own vehicle, you will be limited to jobs in your local area that can be easily reached through public transport. If you can drive, the wider world becomes your oyster. Many employers prefer to take on drivers as they are less likely to have to miss work due to public transport delays or cancellations too. Now, once you pass your test, you could get your own vehicle. You’ll have to find a vehicle, find cheap motor trade insurance for under 25s on this site, get the vehicle taxed and maintain it. But there are also companies out there who will provide a company vehicle for you. It’s always an option worth asking for in regards to the roles you’re applying for!
Ask
Sometimes, people stay within a role for years, simply waiting for a promotion or pay rise to be offered to them. Generally speaking, companies will very rarely do this of their own accord unless they’re looking to fill a higher up internal role that they can see you doing well in. In general, they want to keep operating costs low and they’ll be happy to leave you on your current salary indefinitely if it means spending less money. So, sometimes you have to be bold and you simply have to ask for the pay rise or promotion you want. It’s a good idea to have reasonable grounds and proof that you deserve more. Perhaps you’ve been consistently exceeding targets. Maybe you achieved something great for the company. Perhaps you’ve been there a long time and your pay hasn’t risen in line with inflation. The worst that your company can do is say no. If they do, it’s a good idea to start looking for alternative roles. Even if you genuinely want to work for the company, this is a good plan. If another company offers you a better role or better rate, your company may match it in a bid to keep you.
These steps should help to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Take things slowly and determine which ones are right for you. You could really benefit from making some of the outlined changes!
