How to go about investing in your career

Do you have this burning drive to progress in your chosen career but you’re unsure of how to go about it?

Here are a few tips to help you take control of your career growth and ensure your dreams become a reality.

First things first, have a plan

Imagine planning a trip somewhere. Before you can determine what route to take, you need to determine your destination. The same applies for your career growth and progression.

Figure out what your long term position is. This will help you clearly outline the skills and experience you’ll need to acquire, and ensure that every position you work towards is in line with your ultimate goal.

Remember that nothing becomes reality through magic; it requires action, hard work and determination.

Create a checklist

Now that you know what you want research the requirements for the specific role you have in your sights and then determine what skills or experience you need to develop (for example computer skills, managing staff, tertiary qualification etc.) in order to apply for the desired position. Concentrate on developing in those areas you fall short or up skill yourself if that is what is needed.

When it comes to obtaining a qualification, many tertiary institutions offer part-time classes in the evening. What’s often nice about these classes is that they consist of students of all ages, many of whom are parents with responsibilities, which too have full-time jobs and want to better themselves, so face similar challenges and can be a source of encouragement to you.

Don’t let the cost of up skilling hamper you, find out if the institution allows you to pay off your studies over the duration of your course. Or look at Massive Open Online Courses like the ones offered through establishments like Coursera, which offers free online courses from top universities around the world. They include specific IT programming languages, web developer courses, physical science and engineering courses, short courses on finance, languages courses – the list goes on and on.

If experience is what you require, for instance you want to be a manager but don’t currently manage any staff, speak to your superiors and find out if you can help lead new trainees and whether your manager can help groom you through the process. Another option may even be to put in some leave to job shadow or volunteer in your free time. As the saying goes – if there is a will, there is a way!

Excel at your current job

Look at your job requirements versus delivery and then ask yourself - are you meeting those requirements and going over and above the call of duty. This is important because you want to ensure your team and superiors feel confident in your ability to manage your workload.

Also that you’re capable of taking on more responsibility. This will particularly help in instances when you need your team and management to support your application for a promotion.

Likewise, when you are doing a great job, don’t be shy to take credit for it or to share your successes with the team (without being too arrogant or boastful about it). This speaks back to building their confidence in your abilities. Besides, those that get results get ahead.

Have open channels of communication with your superior

Make sure the right people know about your career goals and that you want a promotion.

They can help guide you to reach your objectives and if nothing else, they will know that you’re interested in growing so will keep you in mind when the next promotion arises.

*While some companies have formal structures set in place for one-on-one career development conversations, if you don’t have the same formal arrangement in your company, create an opportunity by making an appointment with your line manager / manager to raise the topic.

Cultivate a good attitude

Research has shown that having a negative or pessimistic attitude hurts an employee's chances for promotion so don’t unnecessarily stack the odds against yourself.

Besides, not only does a positive attitude impact your personal happiness and how much job satisfaction you derive from what you do, it also influences how productive you are and makes you a good role model for your team or department.

Create your own opportunities

Don’t leave your future up to someone else or rely on your manager to always tell you what to do and how to do it. Use some initiative. Likewise, if you see a lack in a company, be it for new business development or quality control for instance, approach your boss about developing a new role that focuses on that.

Groom a successor

If you’re working towards an internal promotion, make sure you groom someone in your department to do your job so that if you leave it doesn’t leave a gaping hole in the company.

This can delay or prevent being selected for a promotion.

My last and perhaps most important tip is to make it very clear to your manager that your goals are not driven by your need for a salary increase but by a need to develop your career.

The two are very different conversations and will prevent your boss from thinking that you just want an increase without adding more value to the business.

Originally featured in People Magazine (Volume 30) and on our company website.