•Networking, when done right, is one of the most effective ways to aid your career progression.
•A big part of progression involves finding the best opportunities for you, making yourself visible, and connecting with the right people.
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What is career progression? No doubt, you know this one, or you have a good idea what it entails. Career success means different things to different people and so does career progression. Career progression could be that promotion you have been waiting for, or additional responsibilities, or even a new title. In simple terms, career progression is any action that helps you move forward in your career.
Is it possible to have complete control over your career progression? Just like in life, there are some things that happen and we do not have control over. However, you can leverage situations to move ahead in your career. Below are areas you can leverage to propel your career progression.
Is Networking Working for You?
Networking, when done right, is one of the most effective ways to aid your career progression. A big part of progression involves finding the best opportunities for you, making yourself visible, and connecting with the right people. Create a strong brand online and treat each interaction as a potentially worthy connection. Remember, every lunch could be an opportunity to create deeper connections and meet new people.
Yes, You Need a Mentor
Secondly, you can improve you career progression by having a mentor guide you. Doing things on your own can be really challenging especially if you are starting out. Having someone who has been where you want to go can be a real game changer for you. They know what to expect and how to deal with whatever comes their way from experience. For instance, they train you for interviews, give you industry insight, they can point out challenges in the industry and how to overcome them among many things. Finding a mentor or coach can be a hustle and at times cost you but you will have to decide how much your career progression means to you.
Training and Development
Training and development or popularly known as upskilling is another great way to better your chances in career progression. Developing new areas of expertise or improving on the ones you know can increase your chances of progression by a large margin. Are there areas in your particular field you feel that are lacking in some way or you could improve in a certain way? The best way to tackle this is by training and staying up to date with modern modes of operation and technology. There are several ways to go about this. There are many free and paid online courses available like Udemy, Coursera, Alison, and even LinkedIn learning, among others. So really, you are spoilt for choice!
Just Shoot Your Shot
Speak out. Approach that person you believe will unlock the next level of your career for you. Let your boss know that you are keen on growing your career and would like to take advantage of available options. Ask for feedback and act on suggestions for improvement offered.
Sometimes, the programs are not publicly displayed. You can only get to know about them if you ask.
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