Mentorship and Career Advancement
13 Career Advancement
Learning Outcomes
- state key tips for career advancement
- carry out self-assessment activities
- develop your career advancement goals
- create a job plan to achieve the goals.
Key Strategies for Advancing Your Career
Career advancement planning involves:
Start with self- evaluation
Discover what is important to you in your work environment:
- Are you a stability seeker or an innovator?
- Do you enjoy working in social interaction or prefer working independently?
Knowing and understanding what is important to you regarding work will help you choose right career advancement options and a work environment that matches your motivations and values.
Exercise
Take a few minutes to review the following Essential skills Self-Assessment for the Trades and place a checkmark in the column that best describes your ability to complete the task.
Action Plan Activity 8 – Skills/knowledge gap
Pull out your resume and review your personal talents and gifts already identified in your action plan. Reflect on your skills, knowledge, experience, and talents one more time.
In the Action Planning Tool in Appendix A, write down:
What are some valuable qualities or skills that you already possess?
Where do you see your gaps or areas for improvement?
Research Your Industry and Company
- Know your industry/ company’s needs: Catch up on your industry trends, read up on your company in the news, and spend some time finding out what your competitors are up to. This research will help you stay apprised of market trends and lead you to identify your next career goal. Your Library is a great place to start this research.
The following advice from James Williams echoes this:
- Discover your company/ team’s skills or knowledge gaps: Pay attention to the knowledge or skills gaps on your team or in your company. If there is knowledge or skills that no one really has, that could be a great place for you to take on new skills and create a new opportunity for your move.
- Study your company’s promotion system: Some companies have formal programs to help employees develop their careers. In others, you will need to informally pursue your career development. Take time to find out what is your company’s promotion policy, what types of promotions are available, and what is the application process.
- Consult with your boss: Share your career goals with your boss and talk about how you see yourself fitting into the company’s needs and future plans. Discuss what skills, knowledge, or personal qualities you want to develop and see what opportunities there are to gain expertise.
Listen to the following advice from Neil Thevarge.
- Build and nurture relationships: According to research findings, one of the key traits of people who get promoted is strong relationship building skills. Understand the importance of establishing connections with peers, leaders, employees, and thought-leaders outside the organization. Ask your senior co-worker t