Developing your career
So whatever your initial route into your first job, you are there and you want to develop your career. How do you do that?
First of all, formalise your career goals. Visit these two posts which will take you through the process of career appraisal and exploration
Career management model
Career management process
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Be above reproach
Then make sure you do the job to the best of your ability. Perform above target, meet deadlines, and take extra work and responsibility. Be above reproach
Look out for better ways of working, new opportunities for the business, new developments that will influence how you work. Communicate these to the appropriate person in your department, usually your manager. Establish a reputation as someone who has their finger on the pulse.
Develop a high profile
Represent your department, volunteer, organise the seasonal party. Get your name known and your profile high .Become an authority on something work related, join the quiz team .Get involved and be a contributor. Read this post for more information on this topic
Make your ambitions known
I once worked in a Merchandising department for a large retailer, but what I really wanted was a promotion to the Buying Office. So I watched and waited, literally years, for an opportunity to come up in the Buying Office. Eventually a position for a trainee Buyer was advertised and I, along with many others, applied for it.
I got the position, and the head of the Buying Office said to me “Why didn’t you say you were interested in working with us? We wanted you in our department but you never expressed an interest. I don’t like to poach staff from other departments, but if I had known you were interested I would have made a place for you”.
I’m not saying you can wander about demanding any job you want, but it is worth having a quiet word sometimes and making your preferences known. At the very least you may get some useful advice and information. At best you may get a mentor who will help you achieve your ambitions.
So make it known that you are ambitious, you are capable, and you are willing to work hard. You are seeking promotion and you are willing to move to another area if there is a promotion available.
Relocation
You will need to consider whether you are prepared to move to further your career, especially if you are working for a company with several locations. There are many factors to take into account such as current or future family responsibilities.
Will you be asked to move again in a few years? What if it doesn’t work out? What about your spouse or partner’s work? Children’s schools? Then there is your social life to consider.
Maybe you should commute weekly, leave the family where they are? What would be the costs? Rent, or hotel bills, petrol or train fares? Will the company pay or contribute?
What about accommodation? Will the company provide that? If you are renting or buying will costs be similar to your current costs? What if your house doesn’t sell?
Relocation costs need to be considered. Will the company pay all bills, or part of it?
If you decide to commute will they pay your travelling costs in lieu of relocation costs?
Career advice online
There are many good websites that provide career advice online. You can take personality and aptitude tests, and read information about specific careers.
USA Public service sites
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is updated every year by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides a detailed look at every type of career. It includes information on the type of the work, training, qualifications needed, job outlook and earnings. There are several other public service sites in the USA with resources to help you identify available careers, including:
Other useful sites
Glassdoor is a transparent career community changing the way people find jobs, and companies recruit talent. Glassdoor holds a growing database of 6 million reviews, CEO approval ratings, salary reports, with the information shared by employees. For employers, Glassdoor offers recruiting and employer branding solutions.
Searches job sites, newspapers, associations and company career pages.
What is a career
We have a number of relevant posts on this site;