It can take some time to find your calling in life. Many people go through a series of dead end jobs in a variety of industries and roles before they finally land on the career that makes them happy. A job that brings meaning and fulfillment to their life, and to which they actually look forward to going each morning. A lot of people will never find this, and will spend their entire working lives feeling unhappy in the office.
So if you have found your ideal career path, you are incredibly lucky. But no matter how much you enjoy your work, you can never guarantee job security. You could be subject to redundancies, restructuring, or the company going bust. There will always be other jobs out there, but your success will depend on how employable you are.
Fortunately, there are many ways to boost your job security and get ahead in your career. If you want to be successful in your industry and make more money, you need to have a certain mindset and attitude to your work. It’s not enough to just coast through each day, doing the bare minimum required of you. You need to be constantly improving yourself and impressing the people who wield the power.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a marketing executive, a personal injury lawyer, or a marine biologist – the fundamentals of career progression are the same. By following these five tips, you will become more likely to get ahead in your job and become a success in your industry.
Be a “yes” person
In order to increase your chances of rising in the ranks, you will need to impress your employer. The best way to do this is to present yourself as someone who is positive and always willing to help out with a difficult job. Be the person who always says yes to everything. Volunteer to take notes at the meeting, ask to help out with the sales pitch, and just generally be an upbeat and vocal presence in the office. You will quickly make an impact on senior management, and they will soon realize that you are the person to turn to when things need to get done.
Just make sure that you don’t let people take advantage of you. It’s one thing to be a yes person, but it’s quite another to be a doormat who people think they can walk all over. If someone makes a request you think is unreasonable or impossible, politely tell them that you are unable to do what they are asking but you are willing to help out in a more appropriate way.
Always be learning
Nobody is perfect, and there are always opportunities for you to become better at your job. You should be constantly seeking to increase your knowledge and skill set through a variety of means. Take online courses, attend a workshop or gain a recognised industry qualification to put on your resume. Find out what the competition is doing and learn about new technologies that could help the company grow. Present your findings to your boss in meetings and your efforts will be rewarded.
Network
Business is all about who you know, so you should try and grow your network of important contacts within your industry. Attending networking events is one of the most effective ways to achieve this end, as people are there for this specific reason. Get some business cards printed and strike up conversation with people who may be able to help you get ahead. You can also use professional social media sites like LinkedIn to connect with people too.
Be a team player
A successful company relies on a strong team who can all work together well. Although you want to get ahead in your career, you should not do so at the expense of other people. Being able to communicate and collaborate effectively with your co-workers will make everyone more productive, and you will be seen to be a good team player.
Work on your personal brand
Getting ahead in your career may not mean an internal promotion. You may eventually wish to leave your current company and join another, or even go freelance. A good tip to increase your chances of finding work elsewhere is to enhance your personal brand. Being active on social media and establishing yourself as an industry thought leader will help you become noticed by potential employers and other big names in your field. Create quality, thought-provoking content and promote it through the appropriate channels so it is seen by the right people.
Getting to the top of your industry will take time, but by taking on the advice in these tips, you will get wherever you want to go.