Explanation of Basics of Career Advancement by Ron Kurtus - Advance in Your Career. Also refer to hired, job, performance evaluation, raise, relationship, mentor, supervisor, promotion, high position, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Basics of Career Advancement
by Ron Kurtus (revised 28 February 2010)
The first requirement in advancing in your career is finding a good job. The second factor is to do well in your job such that you get good performance evaluations and raises. Then by planning and establishing relationships within the company, you can get promotions and move up the ranks. You may also start the process over again by getting a good job with another company at a higher position.
Questions you may have include:
- How do you find a good job?
- How can you get good performance evaluations?
- How can you move up the ladder with promotions?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Getting a good job
You want to get a job where you enjoy the work, where you are good at what you do and that pays good money.
Getting an enjoyable job
If you really enjoy the work, you may compromise on the desire for good pay and take lower wages just to work in that field. Also, sometimes you may find a job that pays well but isn't exactly what you want. Again, you may need to compromise to get into the most suitable situation
Obviously, you don't want a job that you don't like but that pays well or a job where the pay is very poor but it looks like fun.
Keep your eyes open
You may not find the dream job the first time around. You can take an acceptable position and then keep your eyes open for a better position within the company or somewhere else.
Getting raises
Once you are working for a company, you can try to build a reputation as a good worker so that you will get good performance evaluations and raises.
Know the criteria
Find out the company culture and try to follow the rules. Make sure you satisfy the requests of the person who gives the performance evaluations.
Build a reputation
An adage for building a reputation as a good worker is that you should come in 15 minutes before starting time and leave 1/2 hour after quitting time. Workers who put in more time than that they actually get a reputation as someone who can handle the work that he has.
When raises are given
Typcially, you will get a raise at the certain time of the year when workers are evaluated and raises are handled out. Occasionaly, you might get a raise after doing an outstanding job on a project.
In some situations, you might need to actually ask for a raise. That can be risky, but it also may be needed. If some other company is seeking your services, you can use that for leverage.
Getting a promotion or new job
In order to get a promotion, you need to show that you are capable of doing higher-level work. Often it requires having someone in your corner, such as a mentor or supervisor who has taken you under his or her wing.
Plan career path
You really need to plan out your career path, what promotions you would like to get and how you will gain those promotions.
May require a change
Sometimes a promotion requires changing companies. You can look at the potential for opportunities within your own company and also look for options and other companies. It is always wise to be involved in the interest created which to work, such that you know what other companies are doing and also know people who are working in other companies in the same industry.
In either case, you move forward
Seeking a promotion within your company or looking at changing companies is really starting the process all over by seeking a job you like.
Summary
In order to advance in your career, you must first find a good job. Then you should do well in the job such that you get good performance evaluations and raises. By planning and establishing relationships within the company, you can get promotions and move up the ranks. You may also start the process over again by getting a good job with another company at a higher position.
See the Side Menu for more Career lessons
Expand your horizons
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated
books on Getting a Job
Top-rated
books on Career Success
Top-rated
books on Career Advancement
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Advancing in your Career. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Also see Answers to Readers' Questions.
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Basics of Career Advancement