Expert Tips for Career Advancement
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Is it time for you to begin thinking about moving ahead in your career? Michele Gorman, Director of Career Management for MBA@UNC, part of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, shares her expertise about career advancement in this exclusive expert interview.
Time for Advancement
LoveToKnow (LTK): How can a person tell if it's time to begin seeking career advancement?
Michele Gorman: It's very important to remember that career advancement isn't something you think about once or twice, or only when it's time for a change. It's something you should be proactively thinking about on a regular basis. Here are some questions that are important to ask yourself regularly. They will not only give you a better feel for where you are in your career/job role, but they are a clear indicator of whether it's time to make a change since they'll tell you how close you are to achieving your career goals:
- Does my current role meet my lifestyle needs?
- Am I fully utilizing my expertise?
- What is my 5-year vision and am I on track to realize this goal?
- What am I doing to maintain my professional goals/development?
Mindset for Advancement
LTK: Does moving from seeking entry level positions to higher level jobs require a change in mindset?
MG: In many ways, the move from entry level positions to higher level jobs does require a change in mindset. Many employees are so humble about their skills and what they bring to the table that they don't effectively market themselves. To move up the career ladder, it's important not to sell yourself short - and for many that does mean a change in mindset to realize you have exactly what it takes to be successful in a higher level job. Once that change is made, it becomes a lot easier to effectively communicate your skills and potential and effectively sell "Brand You" - which ultimately means landing that higher level job.
Convince Employers You Are Ready
LTK: What can individuals do to convey to potential employers that they are ready for a higher level job?
MG: Two things: prove you're ready, then ask for it. It may sound overly simplistic - but many fall into the trap of constantly trying to demonstrate their worth and value, and never achieving what they set out to do: get a higher level job.
You can start by developing your skills and knowledge beyond what you're already using in the workplace. This can happen through higher education programs like business school, or through relationships with mentors, but it's an important piece - one that will help you stand out from the competition, and show you're a forward thinker who brings added value to your job.
Once you've proven you can handle a higher level job, ask for it! Again, employees tend to underestimate themselves, and simply don't ask for what they want. This really can hinder your career advancement - because while half the battle is learning and developing oneself, the other half is reaching and asking for the opportunity to put your skills to the test via a higher level job.
