How to Advance and Develop in Your Career

The probability of advancing in your career is a crucial feature of employment. For certain individuals, the ability to move forward can be one of the more vital aspects of a profession. Some examples of these forms of advancement are a new job position, a salary increase or another form of career advancement.

If you want to move forward in your career, there are many steps that you can take to advance. Depending on your circumstances, a step in career advancement may look like a career change to a profession that you may find more fulfilling than your current position. In this particular case, it is a good idea to develop transferable skills that can give a job in the field you want to work in. These skills can also help you succeed in the job of your choosing.

Moving Forward in Your Career

Advancing in your career can mean evolving on a personal level in a position of a field of your choosing. For instance, you may begin at an entry-level position and be promoted to a position for management. Advancing in your career provides many potential benefits such as:

• Possible bonuses.
• A salary boost.
• An increase in vacation days.
• A work schedule that you can create.
• More work-related advantages.

Even though career advancement provides plenty of advantages, it is good to note that a career can become demanding. The weight of the demands when you are attempting to move up can vary from industry to industry. Typically, efforts made to advance in a field can take years before a promotion occurs.

When you become promoted, you can find that position you have is not what you imagined it would be. A higher position typically means more responsibilities and, thus, have more tasks to manage. There is also the possibility of having to manage the members of your team and learn other skills. Remaining open-minded, having patience, being flexible and dedicated is necessary in order to succeed in new job opportunities.

When you are in a new career, have earned a higher position or are tasked to complete something unfamiliar, ask questions. This is important even if it may seem like it might hurt your career. Letting your boss know that you are feeling overwhelmed and asking questions is better than being inconsistent with tasks.

The speed in which you advance in your career will vary on the count of certain factors. This can depend on the company that you work for, the field you work in and your skillset. But, you can begin working towards your advancement immediately, even if you just started your new position.

Methods for Advancing Your Career

Every career has its own unique path to advancement, however, there are many ways that you can start to work towards your moving up the ladder. If you want to show that you capable of handling a higher position or you are looking for a pay increase, think about:

• Asking your boss to give you difficult tasks. Asking this of your boss can notify him or her that you are ready for more responsibilities and that you can handle challenging tasks. 
• Help your co-workers with a challenging project. You can show how you work as a team member and that you care about the company by helping teammates with a large or challenging project.
• Get another certification in relation to your profession. Another certification can make your resume look better and stand out amongst your coworkers.

Changing Career Paths

Many reasons are applicable to the fact that shifting from one career to another, or switching employers in the same field, can be the right career move. Typical reasons for an abrupt change in careers can include:

• Lack of work benefits.
• An obstruction to career advancement.
• Scheduling issues.
• Unsatisfaction within a current position, the management or employer.
• Unsatisfactory pay.

If you would like to make a change in your career or do not like your current job, it is a good idea to create a financial plan before continuing with the career change. If you take too long to find a new position, it is better to take this approach. Leaving your previous employer on a good note can beneficial if you do not find a job in time and are in need of financial support. 

Transferable Skills for Your Career

You can change into a new career in a simpler way if use and hone your transferable skills for work. For instance, communication skills are an important skill to have in most industries. It is crucial to any career to know how to communicate with any team member or your boss, as well as being a good listener. Specific communication skills like customer service, knowing how to solve workplace conflicts, negotiating and the ability to take action on constructive feedback.

Skills from specialization, like technical skills, can also be valuable when changing professions within the same industry. If you are performing the same tasks you are doing now, these skills can benefit you on your new job.

Terminations and Being Laid Off

When you lose a job, it can really impact your financial stability and confidence in your abilities. Unemployment can also be an extra challenge when the termination or layoff has blindsided you. Luckily, there are still job opportunities available. If you have recently become unemployed, you can use this time to shift careers and reevaluate what profession you want to be in. This can be a very important life change for you.

Additionally, it is good to determine whether you are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits while looking for a new job. The eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits will depend on the state that you live in. However, you can typically input the reason for the loss of employment and the length of time that you employed at your previous job.

After termination or a layoff, you will most likely begin your job search. If you are looking for a job it is important for you to update your resume and learn a smarter way to search for a job. You can also learn about the best method for submitting your application to a potential employer.