I recently asked one of my LinkedIn connections how I can help him achieve his career goals…he told me to keep writing. So, Greg, this one is for you.
Have you ever started a job and said to yourself those notorious words:
“I’ll start here, and just work my way up.”
Sounds good, Right?
…Until you’re in it.
And, before you know it, you look around and….you’re still “here”. In that same position, doing the same work, for the same pay.
As it turns out, that ladder had waaaay more steps than you thought when you had your interview.
Don’t worry. I’ve been there too. It happens to the best of us.
So, here are 3 things you can do right now:
-
Narrow your focus. Avoid chasing titles, and focus on the work. Fill in the blanks. Find out what it takes to get to the position you desire to be in. You don’t want to assume you have everything required for the position and allow that to build frustration after you’ve been overlooked. Try asking the person in the position how they did it. Ask a hiring manager or your supervisor, what they like most about the person occupying that position. Find out what characteristics and skills they are looking for. Sometimes, it’s not just the work, it’s HOW the work is done. You may find, you can develop certain skills by making a lateral move vs. a promotional move. Take note of what they really want beyond what the job description says and then work towards proving you have those qualities as well.
-
Be Willing to Do What Others are Not. No matter where I’ve worked over the years, the people I remember fondly are the people that were most helpful and courteous at work. When you become the person willing to go above and beyond and search for answers to pressing issues, you are creating a story about your value and your contribution to the company. Don’t think of it as “It’s not my job”. When we have questions or issues preventing us from delivering good work, who do we go to? Our boss or a co-worker that knows the answers, right? You want to be that person. Being helpful and resourceful are not only important characteristics most hiring managers look for in others when promoting, they are often the deciding factor.
-
Join or become more active in an industry association/group. I remember when I landed my first 9-5 position. It wasn’t in the industry I wanted to be in. In fact, it wasn’t even close. I’ve always had a desire to help young adults pursue their career goals, but my full-time job was at a real estate firm. So, after work, I’d go to a local shelter 2 days out of the week to do activities and talk with homeless young adults in the community about their goals. This work helped me to fill the void I felt by not getting paid to do what I loved. I was able to think clearly at work and not blame my boss or anyone else because I wasn’t where I truly desired to be. My point is, even though you may find yourself stuck in a position not ideal for where you want to go, doing things outside the workplace that are still related to the industry you want to be in will help you to grow professionally and keep you prepared for when the opportunity comes your way. Talking with others outside your organization can inspire you to think of new ideas to bring back to your company and it can help balance the frustration you have about what you’re not getting at work. Always stay in preparation mode. Never make the mistake of asking for a blessing you aren’t ready to receive.