Wednesday 7 September 2011

Top Ten Tips To Move Up The Corporate Ladder

In the current economic climate, finding a job is no easy feat. Most people settle for the first job they find in order to gain stability. Instead of changing multiple jobs and treating them as stepping stones, it is important to find opportunities to move up the corporate ladder. Here are a few tips to help you make your way up, and never look back.

Learn to be a Leader:

You do not need to be the boss in order to lead. Learn to take initiative at work, and always be approachable. Co-workers will ask for your help if they know that you are a friendly person. This will allow you to enhance your skills and give you the space to develop. Maintaining a positive attitude helps in motivating and inspiring the people you work with.  By helping other teams and departments, you will become an asset within the organization.

Expand Your Knowledge and Skills

Knowing more is always better than knowing less. Regardless of where you work, in order to succeed you need to have an up to date knowledge of all areas critical within your organization. Learn everything you can about the responsibilities of the job you aspire to get in your workplace. You can do this by watching others, or attending relevant trainings. When you have successfully learnt the ins and outs of procedures and resources, you will be an overall better candidate for the job whenever there is an opening.

Become a Team Player

Teamwork is essential in every organization and allows you to build your reputation. Learning to be a team player opens up new opportunities for you as people start to recognize that you are willing to help them and work on their team. Success at the workplace also depends on your ability to cooperate with co-workers. Employees enhance the overall productivity and add to the success of businesses by working together.

Ask for More Responsibilities

You are more likely to succeed at the workplace by asking for more responsibilities than by asking for a promotion. By asking for more responsibilities you not only show your interest towards the business but also increase your value within the organization. Increasing responsibilities will give you an idea of what is expected of you. Furthermore, it allows you to enhance your potential and understand what you are working towards to prepare you for the future.

Ignore Workplace Politics

Every organization has internal politics. However, to move forward you must ignore all negativity and focus on succeeding. Do not engage in unpleasant conversation about anyone or think of alternate ways to the top. The amount of time and negative energy it takes to plot your way to the top could be better spent generating ideas on how to improve your performance. If you always work hard and deliver the results beyond what is expected, you will be well respected and will soon be moving upwards.

Work Hard

In order to move up the corporate ladder, you should always be willing to work hard. You should know what you are working towards and be able to make sacrifices to reach that goal. Keep setting optimistic but attainable goals that will drive you to surpass your own expectations. No matter how well connected you are, hard work is always essential to reach and maintain your position at the top. People are more likely to get promoted and sustain their position if they have worked hard to earn it.

Be Loyal and Committed to your Organization

In order to achieve success, high levels of commitment and loyalty to the organization are essential. Employees who are so dedicated to their work that they believe by committing themselves they are playing an active role in the success of the organization, are assets to the company. Their performance and productivity levels are consistently high which allows them to stand out from the rest. Employee loyalty results in positive financial outcomes for the business, hence giving them an edge in order to succeed. By being loyal to your organization and demonstrating this at work, you automatically increase your chances of advancing in the workplace. If you display a loyalty towards your boss, he will be more likely to take you up the corporate ladder with him as he is able to count on you.

Maintain A Professional Attitude

A professional attitude consists of various qualities. By displaying your reliability, you become an asset to your company. You should always dress professionally and neatly as this reflects on your personality. If you treat others with respect and act professional, you earn the respect of your co-workers and show others that you are there to work and not get involved in unnecessary office gossip. By detaching yourself from such office dynamics, you are creating an example for others to follow, as well as increasing productivity at work. You must maintain punctuality and never be afraid to ask if unsure of anything. This suggests your willingness to learn, as opposed to your lack of knowledge. Finally, don’t whine about problems. When a problematic situation arises, try to come up with a few solutions before going to your boss. This indicates your ability to solve problems and handle difficult situations when in a higher position.

Be Resourceful

Always voice any ideas you have which you feel may have a positive impact on the company. You do not need to have resources to be resourceful – make your voice heard, so everyone is aware that you have an opinion. In some situations, people are so confined in what they think that your solution may be the perfect one. Think outside the box of how you could help your company solve a problem and you will already be a step closer to getting a promotion. Remember, one of the best ways to thrive and to stand out is by doing your own thing, and opposing popular opinion.

Keep Networking

Networking is a fundamental part of developing a name for yourself and constantly growing in your professional career. In order to further your career, you must be prepared to tactically associate yourself to individuals in high positions. Never miss a corporate event, and maintain a positive attitude as these are noticed by everyone. These events are a chance for you to shine and demonstrate your strengths and abilities. Another advantage of networking is that you will learn much more about the company by speaking to people in other areas of the organization, hence expanding your skill sets.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Editor's Choice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. -->

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