How can you actually make a career? Basically, everyone defines that for themselves. When would you think of yourself as having a career? Wh...
Set goals
This not only means a big overarching goal, but also small milestones that you have to achieve on the way there in order to reach the big goal in the end. This can be reading several specialist books or successfully completing a training course, but also a good, open conversation with a manager. When would you feel like you're on the right track? Another special tip: If you write all this down, then take the first step immediately afterward. For example: Buy a book or register directly for a training course.
Have a positive attitude towards your work
This means that you can also do unspectacular tasks with joy or at least you can get over them without complaining. Likewise, doing unpleasant tasks that always get left behind is very well received! But don't do that too often either, otherwise, you'll end up being the doormat. Here it is worth approaching the whole thing with a strategy. If you want to make a career, you also have to take on responsibility. Anyone who completes unpleasant and boring tasks will automatically show themselves to be responsible and mature and will be well received by their superiors.
Maintain a large network
What this means is that you should know a lot of people in your industry and socialize with them from time to time. These include Former colleagues, colleagues from other departments, employees from other companies, experts from trade fairs, lecturers in your specialist area, teachers of all kinds who have something to do with your work, and so on. But managing directors of other companies are also good contacts. If your career doesn't work out in your current company, it's always good to have a plan B ready. LinkedIn is of course great for building a network, but so is Facebook and of course real life. At relevant trade fairs, you can kill two birds with one stone. On the one hand, you get to know valuable contacts, on the other hand, you can continue your education.
sell yourself
It's no good if you're the Ferrari of professionals in your industry, but nobody knows that. Then you will always sell yourself below your worth.
So: Tell people about your successes, above all show your network what you achieve, what you have worked on (of course only if you are allowed to do so), and what your personal successes were.
Important: also offer colleagues from your department a stage, because if you only ever share your own successes, you will quickly come across as arrogant. If you also share your colleagues' successes and rejoice with them, they will do the same for your successes and maybe pass them on to their network as well. That would in turn offer you an even bigger stage and you would get to know new contacts. Incidentally, when it comes to the contacts in your network, quantity comes before quality! You don't have to be in regular contact with people.
Believe in yourself
If an idea of yours is rejected by your superiors, but you are sure that it would be the only right thing, then try to persist with it. This is how you underline your competence in your specialist area. Of course, there are limits and you should really stop doing it after the third no at the latest because otherwise, you will sooner or later become unpopular. Be careful with such tactics, especially when it comes to costly decisions.
quality, not quantity
Just because you're busy doesn't mean you're making a lot of progress.
If you work smart, you prioritize your tasks and organize yourself cleverly. It doesn't matter if unimportant work is left undone at the end of the day, you don't have to be the first and last in the office to climb the career ladder. Actually, it is even the case that you definitely miss the career ladder and it is passed past you. Why should a hardworking employee who happily puts so much time into his job and does so many menial tasks be removed from his habitat? It's so rare to find one like that. An employee who is good at organizing, on the other hand, demonstrates organizational talent and an eye for what really counts. You'd much rather have someone like that at the head of a team, someone with an eye for what's important.
This is where even perfectionists often fall flat on their faces: they get so lost in the details that they ignore even the really important things.
Be flexible with your plans
And also pull the ripcord if no opportunities for advancement open up after a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes life doesn't play along or the other people in your life sometimes don't play along. Unfortunately, too many managers underestimate the value of some of their employees and never let them shine as they should. You can do everything listed here correctly and your boss will still not promote you. In such a scenario, you should turn on your network and look for a better place that has a career ladder to use.
Success begins in private life
You should also be willing to invest time in your personal life if you want to advance professionally. You can read books, educate yourself in a wide variety of areas, try new hobbies, expand your network or learn a new language that could be professionally advantageous. You can also look for a professional mentor, which is highly recommended, by the way. It's best to look for someone who has already achieved the goals you want to achieve. You could also follow trends, what's new in your industry? You can also attend private training or courses.
It's also good to take a closer look at the various components that make up your current employer's business. For example, you can find out exactly what a legal department does, or claims settlement, accounting, etc. It all works together. The more understanding you develop of the big picture, the better your chances of promotion. You can also actively work on your weak points, which would really be recommended.
Conclusion: This is how you can make a career
Climbing the corporate ladder is not difficult if you are well organized. However, you should balance all areas well with each other so that nothing is neglected. Then you can safely climb the ladder and enjoy the view. Good, succeed!
