Staying the course: How to grow within the current company

Mary Tresa Gabriel , a career coach and a former project manager, has changed jobs twice so far. Her reason for the shift? A better work-life balance and a swifter move up the career ladder.?

Better pay and promotion are some reasons Indian professionals want to switch jobs.? And according to research by RPG Group, 64% Gen Z prioritise flexibility at the workplace and relate stability with learning and growth.?

But is moving jobs the only solution? No, says Linda Rossetti , The Transition Institute’s Executive Director, to Forbes . Her suggestion is to assess new employment prospects at the current employer and examine learning opportunities before one decides to quit.

According to a LinkedIn survey , many companies are also encouraging internal transfers to retain talent.?

So, what keeps professionals from continuing in a particular job, and what are the benefits of exploring growth opportunities in their current company instead? In this article, we ask experts for their insights and tips.?

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A change for the better

About 88% professionals in India are considering a new job this year, a research by LinkedIn found.

The reasons behind professionals seeking new jobs could include internally-driven motivators like growth opportunities and new learning experiences, or external triggers, says Vikas Dua , HR Head at Weber Shandwick. “External factors often include a toxic atmosphere due to a boss, the need to relocate, or a job market that values one’s skills more than the current organisation,” he adds.?

Toxic bosses and toxic workplaces were the primary reasons why professionals in India resigned from their jobs, a Harappa Insights survey found last year.?

In larger companies, tenure plays an important role where promotion periods are fixed, shares Ankush Agarwal , Head of Corporate Operations at Zeta. “Professionals know that the promotion can only be due in a certain number of years and often, they aren’t ready to wait,” he says.

Flat hierarchy, demand for niche skills, and thereby monetary growth are some other reasons professionals decide to jump ship.?

Dua, however, believes that professionals can explore growth within the organisation if the impact and the factors influencing the decision can be mitigated by making some changes.

Here to stay

The most common way to explore career growth in your current employment is via internal job postings, Agarwal says. Organisations also encourage this move as it helps them retain talent while paving the way for future leaders.?

Workplace Learning Report from LinkedIn found that at least one in two hiring managers in India believe that increasing internal mobility is a crucial aspect to attracting top talent.

Professionals can also aim for growth through role expansion, taking on additional assignments, and joining work groups, suggests Dua. Staying in the same company allows the professional to build on existing brand equity, he adds.?

Many companies also offer programmes to help employees grow their skills, Tresa Gabriel says.?She suggests the following ways to grow in an organisation:

For Agarwal, this option also offers job security in times of uncertain economy, and comfort of working in a known circle of colleagues — thereby curbing work performance anxiety and pressure.?

But are there any cons? “In today's ever-changing world, skill development and having exposure is a big plus. This may be lacking if an employee were to work for a long period of time with the same company,” he adds. A stagnation in salary growth and dependence on the company can also be some negatives.?

Decision time

Should you stay or should you go — how to draw a conclusion??

One must assess if the organisation can match their ambition and growth plans within a given timeframe, Agarwal says. How? By considering aspects like the scope of the role, the job title, work location, growth opportunities, compensation, leadership and learning opportunities, Dua adds.?

Also, researching how the decision and career progression panned out for other employees, and the opportunities offered for the same profile in competing industries can help. Finally, one needs to gauge if they are aligned with the company culture.

If the answer is a yes, the experts recommend the following tips to approach career progression in the current company:?

?? Volunteer for organisation-wide projects.

? Showcase initiative to take on new work.

?? Maintain healthy work relations with the team and internal stakeholders.?

?? Have a mentor in the organisation to reach out to for guidance and support.

?? Focus on increasing visibility amongst the top level of management.?

??? Map aspirations and discuss them with the supervisor and the HR.?

?? Click here to read the previous edition on tips to get hired at the top companies in India

?? How to build a lasting career within a company? “Look for leaders who actively encourage cross-functional collaboration and networking,” author Devika Brij says. Watch this video for more tips.?

?? Being passed over for a promotion at Google became a crucial career lesson for Irina Stanescu . In this post , the founder of The Caring Techie offers the things she did differently after.?

• What to consider before quitting? Ask yourself if you have a way to upskill or reskill beyond your job profile within the company, LinkedIn New Editor Abhiraj Ganguli writes. Read here for more tips.?
• How to achieve career growth? Adopting a seeker mindset to build an effective relationship with leaders, Navis’s Gaurav Gaur says. Read here for details.?
• How to apply for an internal position. In this piece , LinkedIn News Editor Neha Jain Kale offers a step-wise guide to make the transition.

From breaking big-picture goals into smaller actionable items to setting milestones — leadership strategist and global peak performance consultant, Shadé Zahrai , shares tips to set and achieve goals in this brief course .

This is the 32nd edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices.?

Stay tuned by subscribing here and share your comments and thoughts using #GetHiredIndia .

By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Associate Community Manager: Neha Upalekar