As one of the leading Kansas City employment agencies, Morgan Hunter knows in today’s workplace, being good simply isn’t good enough. You can’t just do your job and wait for a promotion to come your way. It’s up to you to always be proactive and create new opportunities for yourself. To help you get started, here are seven tips to follow:
Tip #1: Build relationships.
You know it’s important to network. But having a huge network won’t get you far if you don’t have relationships with your contacts. When it comes to networking, it should be about quality – and forging relationships – not quantity. It’s important to be able to rely on your network for feedback, insight and access to new opportunities. You can’t do that if you’re just networking for the sake of it and have amassed a network of strangers on LinkedIn or Facebook as a result of it.
Tip #2: Always be learning.
One of the most dangerous attitudes to have is to think you know it all and don’t need to learn any new skills. If you’re not sure what you need to know to advance in your career, then reach out to those in positions you aspire to and ask how they go there. You may need an MBA, or you may simply need to enroll in a class or certification course. Even if you don’t need to partake in formal education, it’s important to stay on the forefront of your industry, whether through reading trade journals or online articles, connecting online with an industry forum or joining a local trade group.
Tip #3: Promote yourself.
Don’t assume your boss knows the good work you’re doing. In fact, most employees only generate attention when there’s a problem. That’s why it’s important for you to promote your own accomplishments to ensure you get the recognition you deserve. Anytime you achieve an important goal, or get positive feedback from a customer, jot it down in a notebook. When it comes time for your performance review, make sure you highlight your track record.
Tip #4: Know your goals.
What are your career goals? If you can’t answer this question, then it’s going to be hard to more forward in your career. You must first identify your goals for your career, and then chart a step-by-step plan for getting there.
Tip #5: Trust yourself.
If a great opportunity comes along – but it just doesn’t feel right – then trust your gut. Logic certainly has its place in the decision making process, however it shouldn’t override intuition.
Tip #6: Develop an ‘executive presence’.
Make sure the image you present to your boss and colleagues is a polished one. This not only includes dressing the part, but acting it as well. That means communicating with both warmth and strength, as well as respecting people but also having confidence in your own voice and opinions. Even if you aren’t interested in pursuing an executive level role, having the presence of a leader relays self-assurance and expertise.
Tip #7: Take care of yourself.
You might think that advancing in your career means you need to work 12-hour days. But this is only a recipe for burnout. Instead, pursue a balanced lifestyle that includes hard work, as well as time for fun and relaxation. This will lead to a healthier career and a healthier life.
Are you looking to advance your career with a new job? Call Morgan Hunter. As one of the leading Kansas City employment agencies, we can help you in every aspect of your job search – from finding the right networking opportunities to uncovering great job opportunities. Give us a call if you’d like expert help with your job search.