Whether you have ambitions of traversing from the bottom rung of a corporate ladder all the way to the top or you just really want that promotion, career advancement is something that can involve hurdles of every sort. But what you may not know is this: A lot of people hinder their own success when it comes to actually making it to the next levels in their careers. If you are serious about taking your career to the next level, make sure you’re not hindering your efforts by avoiding these common mistakes.
Mistake: Being meek about your career advancement wants and desires.
Why? A lot of employees associate being bold with being overbearing or obnoxious, but being bold about what you want from your career is one of the most intelligent decision you can make, If you have reservations when it comes to speaking up about what you want, it is possible that higher ups will see your lack of outspokenness as disinterest or lack of enthusiasm. Therefore, it is best to be vocal about where you want to be in your career eventually.
Mistake: Waiting to be asked to take the reins.
Why? You may feel like stepping up to the plate when projects are underway or you know things need to be done would be overstepping your boundaries. However, employers will appreciate someone who takes initiative on their own when a need arises. If there is something valuable you could add in a meeting, don’t wait to be asked if you can attend, offer to be present before you are asked. If you see co-workers struggling to meet a quota or a deadline and you know you can help, make it known that you have the ability to help out.
Mistake: Neglecting your own job responsibilities in an attempt to do someone else’s tasks.
Why? If you see a manager who is struggling to perform their job, there is no way you should step in to try and help if helping would mean disregarding your own job responsibilities. Aiming your target too high could be seen as not only irresponsible in the eyes of someone making the decision about whether or not you should advance to the next level, but also offensive or threatening to the person whom you are trying to help.
In the end, career advancement has more to do with you and your skills as an employee than anything else. If you would like to learn more about making successful advancements in your career, contact us at Ad-Vance Talent Solutions.